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).

About the Author

Featured

Legislators gather for Sine Die, the last day of the Georgia General Assembly shown on Friday, April 4, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)