DMV will offer copies of death, marriage and divorce certificates; birth records available now

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) celebrated a banner year in 2014 with new initiatives to improve customer service, increase energy efficiency and further assist veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

DMV was able to implement many of these innovations through successful partnerships with state and federal agencies.

“This past year was a great year for DMV,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “By working with other state and federal agencies, we were able to offer several new conveniences to our customers and improve our Troops to TrucksSM program which helps veterans returning from service obtain a commercial driver’s license. This work showcases how much government agencies can get done when we work together.”

One of DMV’s partnerships is expanding again in 2015. By working with the Virginia Department of Health Division of Vital Records, DMV began issuing copies of Virginia birth certificates in March 2014. This summer, DMV will offer copies of death, marriage and divorce certificates.

“More than 72,000 customers requested a copy of a birth certificate at DMV last year,” Holcomb continued. “It is a great convenience that we are able to provide this service right here at DMV.”

Among the highlights in 2014, DMV:

• Began Offering Vital Records: In March, DMV began issuing copies of Virginia birth certificates from 1912 to present at all 75 DMV customer service centers and five mobile offices. Previously, Virginians who needed a copy of their birth certificate either had to visit the Division of Vital Records in Richmond or wait for a copy to arrive in the mail. DMV has processed more than 80,000 birth certificate transactions for Virginia-born customers since March.

• Expanded SecuriTest Services: DMV now offers driver’s license, motorcycle license and commercial driver’s license knowledge exams in American Sign Language—and 15 other languages. DMV partnered with the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to create a version of the exam that’s signed by a native ASL signer. SecuriTest also enables DMV to offer remote testing. In 2014, Students at two Henrico County high schools took the learner’s permit test in the classroom. DMV hopes to expand this partnership with the Virginia Department of Education to schools throughout the state. DMV also launched remote testing for escort certification for employees of two power companies.

• Increased DMV Connect Visits: DMV Connect continued to expand service to Virginians who might experience difficulty accessing a customer service center or mobile office. DMV Connect, which started in 2012 as a partnership between DMV and the Virginia Department of Corrections, supports Governor Terry McAuliffe’s efforts to restore rights to rehabilitated felons as the program eases inmates’ reintegration into society by helping them obtain an ID card before their release.

In 2014, the program expanded to include visits to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homeless shelters, rehabilitative centers, veterans’ events, Tangier Island, and several additional correctional facilities. DMV Connect was recently presented with the 2014 State Transformation in Action Recognition (STAR) award from the Southern Legislative Conference in Little Rock.

• Started Selling E-ZPass at Customer Service Centers: E-ZPass transponders are now available at more than 30 DMV locations. The partnership with the Virginia Department of Transportation gives customers the convenience of being able to purchase transponders at DMV.

• Began Offering Three-Year Vehicle Registration Renewals: Customer service centers started offering three-year vehicle registration renewals in November. For the past several years, DMV has offered three-year renewals online.

• Increased Energy Efficiency at DMV Headquarters in Richmond: Upgrades are expected to reduce energy consumption by 36 percent and save $284,000 a year.  The project, was done at no cost or risk to taxpayers.

• Became the First State to Issue Skills Performance Evaluation Certificates: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted DMV the ability to issue Skills Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificates to qualified disabled citizens. Outside of Virginia, drivers have to apply for the certification through FMCSA. Drivers with physical impairments are required to obtain SPE certificates to demonstrate that they can safely operate commercial vehicles. The certification allows drivers with missing or impaired limbs to drive commercial motor vehicles across state lines if they have been fitted with and are wearing the proper prosthetic devices, and the driver can demonstrate the ability to drive the truck or bus safely by completing on- and off-road activities. The service supports Governor McAuliffe’s New Virginia Economy Workforce Initiative by helping Virginians obtain the credentials necessary to fill a need in today’s job market.

• Enhanced a Popular Veterans’ Initiative: DMV successfully petitioned FMCSA to lengthen the time during which a state can waive the driving skills test for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for applicants with comparable military experience. Previously, the waiver was available to veterans within 90 days of discharge; veterans now have one year. Complementing Governor McAuliffe’s efforts to expand the Virginia Values Veterans Initiative, Troops to TrucksSM enables participants with experience driving commercial military vehicles to pass only the DMV-issued CDL knowledge test and exempts them from having to take the CDL road skills test. The FMCSA change allows veterans more time to decide to pursue a CDL and a career in transportation.