Vehicle Licensing Guide

Proof of Address
VLIC-101

BACKGROUND:

Pursuant to Virginia Code section § 46.2-623 and DMV policy, INDIVIDUALS must provide proof of address when titling a vehicle. This requirement does NOT apply if the customer has already established a Virginia record (i.e. Virginia driver's license, identification card, title, etc.).

<<<<<REVISION
In addition to appropriate titling documentation, customers that are required to provide proof of address (those without an established Virginia record) must include a proof of address document from the "Acceptable Documents for an Individual Titling a Vehicle in Virginia" (DMV-177). If the vehicle is being titled in more than one name, ONLY the first listed owner is required to provide proof of his or her address. The proof of address document MUST show the :

• Customer name
• Address of customer as it appears on the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration (VSA 17A or VSA 17B) or the Virginia title.
  
  NOTE: A post office box or business address is NOT acceptable. The document must show the residence address or it WILL NOT satisfy the proof of address requirement for titling a motor vehicle.   END REVISION>>>>>

NEITHER TEMPORARY DOCUMENTS NOR PHOTOCOPIES OF DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. All documents MUST BE ORIGINALS and all documents may be subject to verification with the issuing entity prior to acceptance. DMV may require additional documents. DMV will not accept a document as proof of address when there is reason to believe it has been altered, fraudulently obtained or is fake, forged, counterfeit or otherwise non-genuine or illegitimate. Foreign documents will be accepted only if accompanied by an English translation from an embassy or school of foreign language.

<<<<<REVISION
CSC management is authorized to use manager's discretion when accepting proof of address documents. CSC management has the authority to NOT accept ANY documents that are QUESTIONABLE. In these cases, the customer can be requested to provide ADDITIONAL documents.

Anytime a customer is added to the system or the customer wants to change their address, the CSR must determine whether the customer's address is recognized using the address software and verify with the customer their current correct address. Below are points to remember while using the address software:

• If address software standardizes addresses (such as changing "Street" to "St."), the customer is NOT required to provide another proof document.
• If customer's address is changed (such as a street name) it must be corrected on the customer's application and initialed by the customer (customer being added to the system must also provide an approved proof of address document)
• If the customer's address is not verified by the address software, the CSR will inform the customer that their address is not recognized by our system. The CSR will continue to process the customer's transaction, but inform them that if they do not receive their product, they may need to contact their local post office to inquire about delivery of mail to their address.
• The CSR must ensure that the address is correct when transferring the address from address software to CSCNet.
• Management may use the address verification software as a tool in assisting if management discretion may be used.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

• Customers are NOT required to be a Virginia resident to title a vehicle in Virginia.
• Proof of address documents may be delivered by a person other than the person to whom the vehicle is being titled (power-of-attorney not required).
• Non-negotiable title transactions do NOT require proof of address.
• Participants in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) who have no DMV record must contact Identification Review (IR) and request that an ACP record be established before they can title the vehicle using the mailing address assigned by the Office of the Attorney General (AG) (refer to DLG-0401). Once the participant has an ACP record in the system they are not required to present proof of address to title a vehicle.
• Falsifying information on a Virginia title or title application is a criminal offense.
• The acceptable documents listed on the DMV-177 may change without prior notice.

CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Present one proof of address document as listed on the DMV-177. If the customer has an established Virginia record (i.e. VA drivers license, ID card, title, etc) they are NOT REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A DOCUMENT.
   • Customers mailing work to Titling Work Center must include a photocopy of their proof of address document (from the DMV-177.)
   • Dealers submit titling work on behalf of the customer must verify and record the customer's proof of address document in the "Proof of Address (Specify)" field in the "DMV Use Only section on the back of the VSA-17A.
2. Submit all required titling documents.

DMV SERVICE PROVIDER'S PROCESS:

1. Verify that one acceptable proof of address document is presented according to the DMV-177.
   
   NOTE 1: A NON-VIRGINIA or NON-US ADDRESS is acceptable.
   
   NOTE 2: Verification of the customer's social security number, if one has been issued, is encouraged.
2. Verify the customer's address using address verification software. (Refer to DLG-0401.)
   1. If the address verification software does not find a match, repeat the customer's address back to them and ask if the address they provided on their application or proof document (if applicable) is correct.
      • If the customer indicates that their address is correct, inform the customer that their address is not recognized by our system. Continue to process the customer's transaction, but inform them that if they do not receive their product, they may need to contact their local post office to inquire about delivery of mail to their address.
      • If the customer indicates their address is not correct, and the customer is required to present a proof of address document showing their current address, request they provide another document reflecting their current address. If the customer presents another document that is not listed on the DMV-177, request management to review the document.
   2. If the address verification software finds a match, proceed with the transaction.
      • Minor standardization changes are acceptable without an additional proof document.
3. If the customer presents an acceptable document, process the title transaction in accordance with VLIC-102.   END REVISION>>>>>

REFERENCE:

• Code of Virginia: § 46.2-623
• DMV Policy
• CSC Data Entry: CSCNet

CONTACT:

For additional information contact:

• Your CSC Manager/Assistant Manager
• DMV DIRECT Help Desk at (804) 367-6646

PROCEDURE PROPONENT:

VSA/Titles and Registration Division