Virginia League Optimistic DMV Will Allow Photocopying of Driver's Licenses for CUs to Be in Compliance with PATRIOT Act

RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Credit Union League is hopeful credit unions will receive permission "sometime over the next couple of weeks" to photocopy driver's licenses in order to stay compliant with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act without having to individually seek this permission. The League said it is currently working with the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to secure a blanket policy allowing for the practice. With the Oct. 1, 2003 compliance date of new provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act, credit unions must find acceptable forms of identifying new members. Section 326 of the Act requires procedures to verify the identity of any person interested in opening an account. The Code of Virginia currently prohibits reproduction of driver's licenses without permission of the Division of Motor Vehicles.