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
| FORM | TITLE |
|---|---|
| DA 1569 | Transcript of Military Record |
| DD 13 | Statement of Service |
| DD 214 | Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty |
| DD 217 | Discharge Certificate |
| DD 256A, DD 256AF, DD 256CG, DD 256MC, or DD 256N | Honorable Discharge Certificate |
| DD 257A, DD 257AF, DD 257CG, DD 257MC, or DD 257N | General Discharge Certificate |
| DD 303, DD 303AF, DD 303CG, DD 303MC, or DD 303N | Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge |
| DD 1300 | Report of Casualty |
| ADJ 545 | Discharge Certificate |
| Army DS ODF | Honorable Discharge from the United States Army |
| AGO 525, AG0 755, or AGO 01252 | Discharge Certificate |
| AGO 01254 | Transcript of Military Record |
| AGO 01502 | Discharge Certificate |
| WD AGO 53, WD AGO 53-55 | Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge |
| WD AGO 53-58 | Enlisted Record and Report of Separation General Discharge |
| WD AGO 53-90 | Certificate of Service |
| WD AGO 53-98 | Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service |
| WD AGO 55 | Honorable Discharge from The Army of the United States |
| WD AGO 280 | Certificate of Service, AVS |
| WD AGO 525 | Honorable Discharge from the United States Army |
| WD AGO 755 | Honorable Discharge, Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps |
| WD AGO 0729 | Honorable Discharge from Army of the United States of America |
| WD AGO 01502 | Certificate in Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge Certificate |
| WD AGO 01504 | Discharge Certificate |
| Bureau of Investigation No. 6, Bureau of Investigation No. 53, or Bureau of Investigation No. 118 | Discharge 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-553 | Notice of Separation from U.S. Coast Guard |
| NAVCG-2510 | Honorable Discharge, U.S. Coast Guard |
| NAVMC-455 | U.S. Marine Corps Certificate of Service, In Lieu of Lost or Destroyed Discharge Certificate |
| NAVMC 70-PD | Honorable Discharge, U.S. Marine Corps |
| NAVMC 78-PD | U.S. Marine Corps Report of Separation |
| NMC 258 A&I | Discharge Certificate |
| NMC 2571 A&I | Honorable Discharge, U.S. Marine Corps |
| NAVPERS-553 | Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service |
| NAVPERS-563 | Navy Discharge-Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service |
| NAVPERS-566 | Standard Statement of Service |
| NAVPERS-660 | Honorable Discharge from U.S. Navy |
| NAVPERS-661 | Certificate of Discharge, U.S. Naval Service |
| NAVPERS-663B | Discharge Certificate |
| NGB 22 | Report of Separation and Record of Service, Departments of the Army and the Air Force, National Guard Bureau |
| NOAA Form 56-16 | Report of Transfer or Discharge |
| PHS Form 1867 | Statement of Service – Verification of Status of Commissioned Officers of the U.S. Public Health Service |
| VA Adjudication 545 | Summary of Record of Active Service |
| VA 3101 | Official 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