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Social Security online verification (SSOLV)

As a result of terrorism threats and the dramatic increase in identity theft, new federal security measures have been made to improve the security and integrity of documents issued by states. These security measures are to help with fraud prevention and identification security efforts aimed at avoiding identity theft by preventing the issuance of a driver’s license or identification (ID) card to a person who may be using stolen or otherwise false identity documents. The new security measures allow the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to participate in Social Security Online Verification (SSOLV), which means WisDOT will verify with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that the social security number (SSN) presented to WisDOT is, in fact, the number issued to the person with that name and date of birth. There is no additional cost to you for the verification process.

In July 2005, DMV began verification of SSNs through SSOLV for driver license or ID card customers. WisDOT has compared the names and SSNs of all existing driver’s license and ID card holders with SSA’s records. During the process, some records were identified in which the name, date of birth and/or gender did not match. Those discrepancies must be resolved before a new driver license or ID card can be issued.

If a discrepancy with your record was discovered, you will receive an Important Notice (Form MV3748) (33 KB) with your renewal application. The Important Notice provides information on the steps you will need to take to resolve the discrepancy with SSA prior to visiting your local DMV service center.

If there was no discrepancy found with your record, you will not receive the Important Notice with your renewal application.

A Wisconsin driver's license or ID card will only be issued if the SSN you have provided can be verified. All new applicants and those renewing their license whose record did not initially match will need to verify their name, date of birth and SSN prior to being issued a driver’s license or ID card.

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Visiting the DMV

When you visit DMV, you will need to bring your renewal notice and the necessary acceptable identification documents to prove your name, date of birth and SSN.

Staff at the DMV service center will first review your identification documents in order to ensure your information has been correctly entered into DMV’s computer system.

If you are a first time Wisconsin applicant or your record needs to be resolved, DMV will electronically submit your identifying information to the SSA for matching against their master database. Within a short period of time, the SSA will inform the DMV service center if the information matches and is verified or not. If it is not verified, the response will indicate what information does not match.

Records that are not verified will take additional time to process and could require you to make a return visit to the DMV service center if you need to get your records with the SSA corrected.

If the name or date of birth on your license does not match the information on your social security card or SSA’s records, you will need to bring acceptable documents to prove your name and date of birth to DMV.

If your information cannot be verified online with SSA in the first attempt, you will need to present proof of identity documents at your local DMV service center. If you visit a DMV service center without the necessary documents, you may need to come back with the proper documentation before a driver’s license or ID card can be issued.

Once your SSA record has been verified, you will not need to undergo the verification process again unless there is a change in your key information (for example, your name has changed.)

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Resolving discrepancies in your records with the SSA

If the SSA does not have your legal name or correct date of birth, you must have your records corrected with SSA before coming to DMV. You can check some of the information that is on file with SSA by looking at your Social Security card. If it does not show the correct information, you will need to work with the SSA to get it corrected or updated.

If the SSN you have provided to DMV is invalid or cannot be verified, a visit to the SSA office will be necessary.

If visiting the SSA Web site, refer to their list of acceptable resource documents.

Once you have completed the correction process with the SSA, when you visit DMV, staff will attempt the verification process. Once verification successfully occurs, the driver's license or ID card issuance process can proceed.

Renew early

Your driver’s license or ID card renewal notice will be mailed to you 60 days before the expiration date. It will advise you to visit a DMV service center or the SSA as soon as possible.

Do not wait to renew your driver’s license until your expiration date is drawing near. It may take up to four (4) weeks to renew it if you are required to visit the SSA to correct your records.

If you have questions:

• E-mail: driverrecords.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
• Call: (608) 266-2353

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All external hyperlinks are provided for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation does not testify to, sponsor or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally linked pages.

You will need the Adobe Reader (provided free of charge) to view PDF files. For more information about getting your free copy of the Adobe Reader, visit WisDOT's Software information page.

Questions about the content of this page:
Bureau of Driver Services, driverrecords.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
Last modified: July 3, 2008