GLEN BURNIE, - Due to an unprecedented 233%
increase in fraudulent cases of individuals applying for driver's
licenses and identification cards, the Maryland Motor Vehicle
Administration (MVA) today announced that it has completed and filed
emergency regulations which will strengthen and protect the integrity of
the Maryland driver's license and identification card. In 2003, 146
cases of fraudulent documents were handled by the MVA. Last year, over
515 cases of fraudulent documents were handled, a 233% increase.
Along with the tightening of accepted documents, the MVA is also
recommending the use of additional documents, not currently accepted as
identification or proof of residency, to make the process more amenable
for Maryland residents.
The Proposed Regulation Changes
-
Allow a tax return no
more than 18 months old, with proof of filing, to qualify as
proof of Maryland residency.
-
Allow a government
employee/contractor photo identification card without a
signature to qualify as source of identification.
-
Accept only U.S.
certified school records and baptismal certificates as proof of
identity.
-
Eliminate all first class
mail and U.S. Savings Bonds as acceptable proofs of Maryland
residency.
-
A minor's parent's
certification will now be taken under oath and the parent must
present a valid and verifiable ID or driver's license and must
appear in person.
-
In addition, MVA is also
evaluating further refinements to the Out of Country application
process. These refinements include:
-
Reinstating a more
sophisticated applicant appointment system while not impeding
individuals who have a valid U.S. Federal government
identification source, such as a Valid U. S. Visa with an I-94,
an Employment Authorization Card, or a Permanent Resident Card
that is verifiable through the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security's Systematic Alien Verification System for Entitlements
(SAVE). Those individuals with valid U.S. Federal government
identification will be able to walk-in for service at any full
service MVA branch office.
-
Implementing a central
issuance system similar to our current identification card
issuance process.
-
Strengthening the
Applicant Certification Statement by adding language that
includes documents and addresses presented. The current
statement reads, "I certify under penalties of perjury, that on
this date I am a permanent resident of the State of Maryland,
and that the statements made on this application are true and
correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief."
The MVA's core mission is to
ensure the safety of all drivers and protect their consumer interests.
The proposed emergency regulations also mark the administration's first
significant effort to come into compliance with the requirements of the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal REAL ID Act. With
an implementation date of May 11, 2008, the REAL ID Act requires all
motor vehicle administrations nationwide to use only those documents,
which can either be authenticated or verified when issuing driver's
licenses or identification cards.
"By implementing these changes, the MVA believes that the integrity of
the Maryland driver's license and identification card will remain secure
into the next decade and beyond. The MVA intends on meeting and
achieving its goals to improve customer service for everyone and
protecting consumers, " added MVA Administrator John T. Kuo.
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