Q: What do I need to have to renew my driver’s license?
—Jeanne Mabrey, Fayetteville
A: The Georgia Department of Driver Services requires documents to renew a driver's license unless you have a gold star on your license, which allows you to renew without documentation.
U.S. citizens need to show proof of identification, which includes one of the following: U.S. passport, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, or U.S. military discharge papers.
Non-citizens need to present one of several documents, which are listed at www.dds.ga.gov/secureid/accepteddocs.aspx.
For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card or another accepted document on the list.
Proof of address requires two documents.
The many options include a utility bill (including a cable, sewer, power or water bill from the past two years), a financial statement (bank, credit card, etc.), your unexpired driver’s license, a paycheck or W-2 form from the past two years.
Other valid documents include, but aren’t limited to, a homeowner’s insurance policy, health insurance statement or explanation of benefits and Georgia or federal income tax return or refund check.
A complete list of the documents needed to renew a Georgia driver’s license can be found at www.dds.ga.gov/secureid/accepteddocs.aspx.
Licenses and state-issued ID cards can be renewed up to “150 days before the expiration date and no later than two years after the expiration date,” the DDS states.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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