Life University International Student Handbook | Page 10

Residency Requirements
After meeting Identity and Citizenship requirements, the individual must present
proof of a valid Georgia residence address. Board Rule 375-3-1-.02 specifies one of
the following must be presented as proof of residence address:
• A bank statement issued within the past 60 days.
• A utility bill issued within the past 60 days.
• Current valid rental contracts and/or receipts for payments made within the last 60 days
for rent payments with valid Georgia residence address.
• Employer verification (letter from employer on company letterhead stating applicant’s full
name and home address) or check stub that states name and address.

Georgia law requires Department of Driving Services (DDS) to verify all immigration
documents presented by non-citizens through the United States Custom and Immigration Service (USCIS)
via a program known as SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement). In most cases, the verification
can be completed immediately during the customer’s driver’s license or identification card transaction. In
some cases, verification may take several days or several weeks. Until the documentation is verified by
USCIS, DDS is unable to issue a driver’s license or identification card. If the verification is unsuccessful,
the customer will be given a form with instructions and time frames to contact USCIS or return to the
Customer Service Center at a later date. PATIENCE IS REQUIRED!
Once immigration documentation is verified with USCIS, a Georgia driver’s license or identification card
may be issued with an expiration date that matches the immigration documentation expiration date,
but no longer than 5 years. If there is no expiration date on the immigration documentation, a license/
identification card can only be issued for a period of 1 year. The cost of the license/ID is $20.
Current DDS procedures for citizens and non-citizens allow for one free address change and $5 fee for a
license replacement as long as the expiration date does not change from the original license/ID. When a
replacement license/ID is issued with an expiration date different then the original, the system considers it a
renewal and full fees apply.

Georgia Department of Driver Services
Marietta Customer Service Center #56
1605 County Services Pkwy. | Marietta, GA 30008
North Cobb Customer Service Center # 86
2800 Canton Rd Piedmont Shopping Ctr.
Marietta, GA 30066
For most recent hours and updates, please visit:
www.dds.ga.gov

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