Q&A on the News
Q: New York issues an enhanced license that allows its residents to cross the border into Canada. Will Georgia's new licenses do likewise? Also, I saw where expired passports are being accepted as required documentation. Is this true?
— Gary Vogt, Suwanee
A: Georgia does not issue enhanced licenses, which are used specifically for border crossings. Only Vermont, New York, Michigan and Washington, all which share a border with Canada, offer them, Susan Sports, spokeswoman for the state Department of Driver Services, told Q&A on the News in an email. Only valid unexpired passports are being accepted by the DDS, but a passport is only one of the forms of primary identification that can be used to renew a Georgia driver's license or state-issued ID card. Other primary forms of identification, according to www.dds.ga.gov, include:
- An original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate/amended birth certificate, filed with the state Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the applicant's state of birth (including U.S. territories and District of Columbia)
- Consular report of birth abroad issued by the Department of State
- Certificate of naturalization issued by the Department of Homeland Security
- Certificate of citizenship issued by the Department of Homeland Security
- Social Security Administration numident record (if born before Jan. 1, 1940)
- Original U.S. military discharge papers (if born before Jan. 1, 1940)
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We'll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
