Bill would allow driver's licenses without Social Security numbers and permit alternate passport-style photos; DOR says current policy already addresses rare c​

Representative Bishop Davidson presented House Bill 9 50 to allow applicants for non-Real ID driver's licenses or non-driver IDs to apply without providing a Social Security number and to bring a passport-style photo for issuance. Davidson said the bill "allows a person to bring a picture" meeting passport photo standards and would remove the requirement that applicants provide a Social Security number for non-Real ID documents.

Davidson told the committee he intends to add an affidavit requirement to verify applicants who do not have a Social Security number. "There is a process for you to receive a passport without Social Security number, and it involves actually filling out an affidavit," he said, and he plans to mirror that process.

Zach Wyatt, director of the Missouri Department of Revenue, testified about current department practice and operational considerations. On the photo issue he said certain groups already have options for photo exemptions for religious reasons but noted department cameras and the photo database are used for law enforcement: "Currently, we do have, members of our community in the state of Missouri that they can, due to religious beliefs, they are able to get a license issued to them without a photo on it. But they still have to take a photo at the DMV due to the fact the photo is actually utilized for police purposes." Wyatt also warned about equipment costs and the administrative burden of scanning passport-style photos at 173 contract license offices.

Wyatt explained the department’s current approach when applicants lack a Social Security number: the department typically requests a letter from the Social Security Administration stating the applicant has not been issued a number; he said that policy is “rarely used” but available and that federal requirements still govern Real ID and Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs).

Committee members asked about privacy, the practicality of alternate photo workflows, identity theft concerns and how taxes are filed without Social Security numbers; Wyatt noted the IRS issues ITINs for tax filing and that the department would work with license offices if constituent cases arise. Lawmakers expressed interest in refining photo-handling language and in an affidavit process to verify the absence of a Social Security number.