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Exceptions processing

In order to be issued a Colorado driver license, instruction permit, or identification card, an applicant must prove his or her full legal name, identity, age, and lawful presence in the United States.  The DMV has a list of official documents that an applicant may use to prove these four criteria.  If an applicant does not provide the required documentation to prove name, identity, age, and lawful presence, he or she will be given a notice of incomplete application.  The applicant can then return to the DMV with the required documentation, or, if the required documentation is not available, he or she can request to go through exceptions processing.  Exceptions processing allows a person to prove the four criteria with additional or alternative documents.

To apply for exceptions processing, an individual must complete an application and visit one of three regional driver license offices (in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Grand Junction), along with his or her additional documentation and the notice of incomplete application.  These applications are processed the same day. 

If a person cannot get to one of the three regional offices in order to have his or her application processed, he or she can submit an application for remote exceptions processing at any driver license office in the state.  Such applications are forwarded to the regional centers for processing.  It can take up to two to three weeks for an application to be processed remotely. 

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