Obtaining a Renewed License or a Duplicate or Corrected License / Identification (ID) Card When Absent from Maryland

This procedure is used when you will be outside of Maryland more than 45 days and cannot visit an MVA office in order to:

renew your noncommercial license; or
obtain a duplicate or corrected noncommercial license or identification (ID) card.

If you expect to return to Maryland in less than 45 days, see Obtaining a Temporary Noncommercial License. For more information about ID cards, see Obtaining an Identification (ID) Card.

How do I renew my license or obtain a duplicate or corrected license/ID card when I am outside of Maryland?

First, contact the Customer Service Center (CSC). A CSC representative will explain your options. The CSC will then notify the MVA's Absent from State Unit, which will send you the appropriate application. You can also directly contact the MVA's Absent from State Unit by letter, fax, or e-mail.

The Absent from State Unit will mail you a packet of information and forms for you to complete. Carefully follow the instructions and return the completed forms to them. Be sure to sign the forms where required. Upon receipt of your application, the Absent from State Unit will verify that you are eligible and then mail the license or ID card to your out-of-state address.

A valid/current Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT card) (and Intrastate waiver/Interstate exemption, if required) MUST be provided for all MVA Commercial Driver's License transactions. See CDL Medical/Physical Requirements for more information.

Fees:

There is a fee for the license/ID card, which is based on the transaction type (i.e., renewed license, duplicate license/ID, or corrected license/ID).
There is no fee for a temporary license if one is issued.

Note: The conversion to an 8-year driver’s license and identification card will be implemented over the next few years. During this phase-in period, individuals renewing their noncommercial driver’s license or identification card will receive a product with a validity period of a maximum of 5 to 8 years. Because the expiration date of the license or identification card is determined by a computer generated selection process, the fee required to renew will vary. This fee is prorated (for each year the product is valid) based on the period of validity of the license or identification card which may be for a maximum of 5-8 years.
Note: Commercial driver’s licenses will continue to be valid for a maximum of 5-years.

Contact Information:

MVA
Absent from State Unit
Driver Services Division
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062
Fax: 410-787-2988
Email: mvacs@mdot.state.md.us

For telephone questions:

MVA Customer Service Center:	1-410-768-7000
TTY/Hearing Impaired:	1-301-729-4563

The MVA will typically ONLY accept a Marriage Certificate or a Certificate of Marriage that has been certified and issued by that jurisdictions proper government authority such as their Department of Vital Records/Statistics or their local or state court system. A marriage license or marriage certificate that is only signed by a minister or other authorized officiant and issued by a church, etc. is a keepsake document and is NOT an official marriage document. Note: The local or state government authority will issue a marriage license granting the couple permission to get married by an authorized officiant. The minister/officiant who solemnizes the marriage will complete and sign the actual marriage license that was issued by the proper government authority and then return it to the proper government authority, which will then verify and record the marriage/civil union in their records. The married couple may then obtain a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate or Certificate of Marriage from this authority. Note: Though rare, it is possible that the customer may have been issued a Marriage License by the court system or other authorized government authority as the official marriage document as legal proof of marriage after the marriage ceremony has taken place and the marriage has been verified and recorded by them.
The Effective January 1, 2013 the State of Maryland will permit Same-Sex marriages to be performed in Maryland and the MVA will recognize these marriages/civil unions. Customers who have entered into a same-sex marriage and present the necessary documentation will be processed the same as customers of opposite genders. The MVA will also continue to recognize a same-sex marriage that was performed in another jurisdiction that has passed and enacted legislation that permits same-sex marriages to be performed in their jurisdiction.
Veteran Status Code: Effective January 1, 2013 if you are able to present certain United States Military Veteran documentation (original or certified copy issued by the appropriate department/agency) certifying your veteran status you may apply to add a “W” restriction code indicating that you are a U.S. Veteran onto your Maryland driver’s license or identification card (ID card). You can add this “W” restriction code when you are processed for a license or ID card Renewal, Correction or New product.

Notes:

In choosing to add this code to the driver’s license or ID card, you consent to being contacted by the appropriate Executive Branch agencies regarding your eligibility for State or Federal Veteran’s benefits.
“Veteran” means an individual who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than for training, and was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
If you do not have one of the below acceptable proof of veteran status documents indicating a discharge or release under conditions other than dishonorable, you will need to contact the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Service Office to obtain documentation verifying your status as a veteran. You may call 1-800-446-4926 or visit the MDVA website at http://www.mdva.state.md.us/about/serviceProgram.html for information and assistance.

The acceptable proof of veteran status documents are:

DD-214 Military Discharge Certificate, or;
Honorable Discharge Certificate, or;
Letter from U.S. Military Center in St. Louis, Missouri, or;
Letter from the Maryland Veterans Administration Service Program

The acceptable documents must show the Veteran status as:

Honorable, or;
General, or;
General Under Honorable Conditions, or;
Discharged or Released under conditions other than Dishonorable

Fee: There is a fee if the applicant chooses to add or remove this designation/restriction code onto their license or ID card as a correction.