Skip to main content

IMPORTANT

REAL ID-compliant identification is now required to fly within the U.S. If you have a passport (or other REAL ID-compliant document), and are not due to renew your driver license or ID card, you do not need to upgrade right away. 

Alert

There are currently road test cancellations or DMV offices closed for in-person services. See our “CLOSINGS” page for more information.

Security Alert

DMV is seeing an increase in fake websites that imitate the official DMV government website & its services. Links are often provided in a text or email by scammers trying to collect your personal information. Learn more about phishing to avoid scams.

Veteran Status Designation on a Photo Document

Veteran Status Designation on a Photo Document

About

If you are a qualified U.S. military veteran who was honorably discharged, and you have a New York State driver license, learner permit or non-driver photo ID card, you can have the word "Veteran" printed on the upper left hand of your photo document.

There is no additional fee for the veteran status designation on your document, but all regular transaction fees will apply.

After you receive the veteran designation, it will automatically be on all of your future DMV documents (when you replace or renew).

Proof of Honorable Discharge

You Must Provide Proof of an Honorable Discharge

List of Acceptable Proofs to Qualify for Veteran Designation
FORMTITLE
DA 1569Transcript of Military Record
DD 13Statement of Service
DD 214Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
DD 217Discharge Certificate
DD 256A, DD 256AF, DD 256CG, DD 256MC, or DD 256NHonorable Discharge Certificate
DD 257A, DD 257AF, DD 257CG, DD 257MC, or DD 257NGeneral Discharge Certificate
DD 303, DD 303AF, DD 303CG, DD 303MC, or DD 303NCertificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge
DD 1300Report of Casualty
ADJ 545Discharge Certificate
Army DS ODFHonorable Discharge from the United States Army
AGO 525, AG0 755, or AGO 01252Discharge Certificate
AGO 01254Transcript of Military Record
AGO 01502Discharge Certificate
WD AGO 53, WD AGO 53-55Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge
WD AGO 53-58Enlisted Record and Report of Separation General Discharge
WD AGO 53-90Certificate of Service
WD AGO 53-98Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service
WD AGO 55Honorable Discharge from The Army of the United States
WD AGO 280Certificate of Service, AVS
WD AGO 525Honorable Discharge from the United States Army
WD AGO 755Honorable Discharge, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps
WD AGO 0729Honorable Discharge from Army of the United States of America
WD AGO 01502Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge Certificate
WD AGO 01504Discharge Certificate
Bureau of Investigation No. 6, Bureau of Investigation No. 53, or Bureau of Investigation No. 118Discharge Certificate
Bureau of Investigation No. 213 Discharge from U. S. Naval Reserve Force
Form No. 6, U.S.N.Discharge Certificate
Navy (No number)War Service Certificate
NAVCG-553Notice of Separation from U.S. Coast Guard
NAVCG-2510Honorable Discharge, U.S. Coast Guard
NAVMC-455U.S. Marine Corps Certificate of Service, In Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge Certificate
NAVMC 70-PDHonorable Discharge, U.S. Marine Corps
NAVMC 78-PDU.S. Marine Corps Report of Separation
NMC 258 A&IDischarge Certificate
NMC 2571 A&IHonorable Discharge, U.S. Marine Corps
NAVPERS-553Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service
NAVPERS-563Navy Discharge-Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service
NAVPERS-566Standard Statement of Service
NAVPERS-660Honorable Discharge from U.S. Navy
NAVPERS-661Certificate of Discharge, U.S. Naval Service
NAVPERS-663BDischarge Certificate
NGB 22Report of Separation and Record of Service, Departments of the Army and the Air Force, National Guard Bureau
NOAA Form 56-16Report of Transfer or Discharge
PHS Form 1867Statement of Service – Verification of Status of Commissioned Officers of the U.S. Public Health Service
VA Adjudication 545Summary of Record of Active Service
VA 3101Official Retirement Order, Official Retirement Register, Reserve Retirement Eligibility Benefits Letter, Verification of Service Letter from the VA

Note: The proof must indicate a discharge as either “Honorable” or “Under Honorable Conditions”.

How to Apply

Apply at a DMV Office

At your local DMV office, submit a completed Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (pdf) (MV-44) and your proof of honorable discharge (originals or photocopies). 

 

Change from a Standard to a REAL ID or Enhanced License

If you have a Standard license and want to change to a REAL ID or Enhanced while adding your veteran status, you must come into a DMV office.

Complete the following guide to make sure you have the proofs of identification you need. You will also need to submit a completed Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (pdf) (MV-44) and your proof of honorable discharge (originals or photocopies). 

Find the Documents You Need to Get a REAL ID or Enhanced License

 

Apply by Mail

To apply, complete an Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (pdf) (MV-44).

Mail the completed form and photocopies of your proof of honorable discharge (do not send your original documents) to the DMV License Production Bureau at the address below.
 

You cannot apply by phone or online.

Get a Refund

If you applied to have the Veteran Indicator added to your license, permit or non-driver ID and were charged a document fee, you are entitled to a refund for the fee.

The law permits us to refund a fee paid by a veteran in order to place a veteran indicator on their DMV document. You do not need to request a refund or visit a DMV office. Each eligible customer will get a letter and refund check from New York State.

Contact the License Production Bureau

Mailing Address:

Standard Mail:

License Production Bureau
New York State DMV
P.O. Box 2688 ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0668

 

Express Mail:

License Production Bureau 
New York State DMV
6 Empire State Plaza, Room 424A  
Albany, NY 12228