According to Melissa Henry at the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), “if you are eligible to renew your driver’s license online, you don’t need any documentation.” But if you’re required to visit a DDS branch to renew your Georgia driver’s license, you’ll want to come prepared with the required documents.
You must renew in person if:
You’re applying for your first renewal.
Your license has been suspended, canceled, or revoked.
Your most recent Georgia drivers license expired more than two years ago (in which case you’ll need to be prepared to retake your driver’s test!).
You are age 64 or older.
Your current license is not Secure ID compliant.
Your name has changed.
You are not a US citizen.
Here are the documents you’ll need to renew your Georgia driver’s license in person.
What you will need to renew your Georgia Drivers License:
1. Proof of Identification
The easiest proof of identification you can provide is a United States passport. If you don’t have one, you will likely need to bring your certified birth certificate. For anyone unable to find their birth certificate, you can get a certified copy from the Georgia Vital Records office for a $25 fee.
If you were not born in the United States, your Certificates of Naturalization can serve as your proof of identification. And if you are not a United States citizen, we’ll discuss your required documents in the Special Circumstances section of this article.
2. Proof of Social Security Number
To provide proof of your Social Security number, you can bring your Social Security Card, a recent pay stub with your Social Security number displayed in its entirety, a Social Security statement (known as an SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S), or a tax form (like a W-2, 1099, or 1040).
3. Two Forms of Proof of Georgia Residency
The Georgia DDS needs to make sure you live in the state of Georgia, so they require proof of residency. This requirement can be met with bills that have been mailed to your home. Utility bills and mortgage statements are ideal because they will likely show your home address as the property serviced in addition to showing your home address as the mailing address. However other bills such as phone bills, student loan statements, and credit card bills can also be used as long as the documents show your street address (no PO boxes!).
4. Your Completed Skip a Step Paperwork (Optional)
There is some paperwork for you to complete before renewing your Georgia driver’s license in person. The good news is that you can download the required paperwork, complete it at home, and bring it with you so you can get in and out as quickly as possible.
5. Special Circumstances
There are special circumstances that require additional documentation. Review this list to see if any of these circumstances apply to you.
If you have changed your name
If your current legal name does not match the name on your proof of identification, you will need to provide certified documentation of your name change. The exact document you need depends on the reason for your name change. Here are a few of the most common reasons and their required documentation:
Marriage: A certified copy of your Marriage License Application or Marriage Certificate/License.
Divorce: A certified copy of your Divorce Decree that states your name change.
Adoption: A certified copy of the Court Adoption Document.
Other legal name changes: A certified copy of the Court Order for Legal Name Change.
If you are a non-citizen
As a non-citizen of the United States, you will be required to provide proof of identification in the form of a Green Card or a valid foreign passport with a valid U.S. Visa.
You will also need to bring proof of your lawful status in the United States. A valid I-94 or I797A Notice of Action, for example. For the complete list of acceptable documentation for non-citizens, review the Non-Citizen section of the Georgia DDS Accepted Documents page.
With a little preparation, you'll have all the documentation you need to renew your Georgia driver's license.