{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/53.1-31.4.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/53.1-31.4.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/53.1-31.4.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/53.1-31.4.html"}],"law_id":57907,"edition_id":1,"section_id":57907,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-31.4","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Government-issued identification; Department of Corrections-issued identification","history":"2020, cc. 484, 523; 2025, c. 656.","full_text":"A\n\nPrior to the release or discharge into the community of any prisoner who has been confined for at least 90 days and does not possess a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card, the Department shall, in conjunction with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Registrar of Vital Records, and any other relevant government agency, provide such prisoner with a certified copy of his birth certificate, his social security card, or a government-issued identification card unless such provision of a government-issued identification card is not possible, in which case, the Department shall provide the prisoner with a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form. The form shall include (i) a photograph of the prisoner; (ii) the prisoner’s full name; (iii) the prisoner’s date of birth; (iv) the address of the facility in which the prisoner resided at the time of his release or discharge; (v) the prisoner’s release address; and (vi) if available, the prisoner’s citizenship or legal presence in the United States and social security number. Such form shall be verified by the Department and provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles in a secured format and by a means mutually agreed upon by the Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall, subject to procedures established pursuant to subsection B, serve as proof of identity and proof of Virginia residency and may serve as proof of legal presence in the United States or proof of a social security number, if one is available, as required to obtain a government-issued identification card for the 120 days immediately following the release or discharge of the prisoner identified on such form. If the Department receives a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card for a prisoner after his release or discharge, the Department shall forward such identification or document to the former prisoner. Unless the prisoner is determined to be indigent pursuant to § 19.2-159, all costs and fees associated with applying for and obtaining any identification or documents pursuant to this section shall be paid by the prisoner.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “government-issued identification card” does not include a REAL ID credential.B\n\nThe Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles shall cooperatively establish procedures for verifying a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form and all information contained therein. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not accept a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form if the form or any of the information contained on the form cannot be verified.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":212118,"text":"Prior to the release or discharge into the community of any prisoner who has been confined for at least 90 days and does not possess a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card, the Department shall, in conjunction with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Registrar of Vital Records, and any other relevant government agency, provide such prisoner with a certified copy of his birth certificate, his social security card, or a government-issued identification card unless such provision of a government-issued identification card is not possible, in which case, the Department shall provide the prisoner with a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form. The form shall include (i) a photograph of the prisoner; (ii) the prisoner’s full name; (iii) the prisoner’s date of birth; (iv) the address of the facility in which the prisoner resided at the time of his release or discharge; (v) the prisoner’s release address; and (vi) if available, the prisoner’s citizenship or legal presence in the United States and social security number. Such form shall be verified by the Department and provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles in a secured format and by a means mutually agreed upon by the Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles and shall, subject to procedures established pursuant to subsection B, serve as proof of identity and proof of Virginia residency and may serve as proof of legal presence in the United States or proof of a social security number, if one is available, as required to obtain a government-issued identification card for the 120 days immediately following the release or discharge of the prisoner identified on such form. If the Department receives a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card for a prisoner after his release or discharge, the Department shall forward such identification or document to the former prisoner. Unless the prisoner is determined to be indigent pursuant to § 19.2-159, all costs and fees associated with applying for and obtaining any identification or documents pursuant to this section shall be paid by the prisoner.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “government-issued identification card” does not include a REAL ID credential.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":212119,"text":"The Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles shall cooperatively establish procedures for verifying a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form and all information contained therein. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not accept a Department of Corrections Offender Identification form if the form or any of the information contained on the form cannot be verified.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12719,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12718,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237863,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12719,"identifier":"1","token":"53.1\/2\/1","url":"\/53.1\/2\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12718,"edition_id":1,"name":"State Correctional Facilities","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12717,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237861,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12718,"identifier":"2","token":"53.1\/2","url":"\/53.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12717,"edition_id":1,"name":"Prisons and Other Methods of Correction","identifier":"53.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":237591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12717,"identifier":"53.1","token":"53.1","url":"\/53.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":53940,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-18","catch_line":"Department to have custody of property; right to sue to protect property","url":"\/53.1-18\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-18","metadata":false},{"id":85630,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-19","catch_line":"Establishment of correctional institutions","url":"\/53.1-19\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-19","metadata":false},{"id":63511,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-20","catch_line":"Commitment of convicted persons to custody of Director","url":"\/53.1-20\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-20","metadata":false},{"id":79007,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-20.1","catch_line":"Compensation of local jails for cost of incarceration","url":"\/53.1-20.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-20.1","metadata":false},{"id":57061,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-21","catch_line":"Transfer of prisoners into and between state and local correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-21\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-21","metadata":false},{"id":86190,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-22","catch_line":"Misdemeanant suspected of having contagious disease","url":"\/53.1-22\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-22","metadata":false},{"id":64179,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-23","catch_line":"Fingerprints, photographs and description","url":"\/53.1-23\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-23","metadata":false},{"id":56594,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-23.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/53.1-23.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-23.1","metadata":false},{"id":80095,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-23.2","catch_line":"Department to give notice of the receipt of certain prisoners","url":"\/53.1-23.2\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-23.2","metadata":false},{"id":54546,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-24","catch_line":"Record of convictions and register to be kept","url":"\/53.1-24\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-24","metadata":false},{"id":66834,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-25","catch_line":"Director to prescribe rules; rules to be available to prisoners","url":"\/53.1-25\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-25","metadata":false},{"id":56296,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-25.1","catch_line":"Rules of state correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-25.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-25.1","metadata":false},{"id":83061,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-26","catch_line":"Confiscation of prohibited articles","url":"\/53.1-26\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-26","metadata":false},{"id":54317,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-27","catch_line":"Establishment of stores in state correctional facilities","url":"\/53.1-27\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-27","metadata":false},{"id":83094,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-28","catch_line":"Authority to fix discharge date; improper release; warrant, arrest and hearing","url":"\/53.1-28\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-28","metadata":false},{"id":70840,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-29","catch_line":"Authority for correctional officers and other employees to carry weapons","url":"\/53.1-29\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-29","metadata":false},{"id":81741,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-30","catch_line":"Who may enter interior of state correctional facilities; searches of those entering","url":"\/53.1-30\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-30","metadata":false},{"id":77086,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-31","catch_line":"Sale or lease of gas, oil, or minerals","url":"\/53.1-31\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31","metadata":false},{"id":63215,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-31.1","catch_line":"Transportation of prisoners","url":"\/53.1-31.1\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31.1","metadata":false},{"id":58019,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-31.2","catch_line":"Notification of child support due by a prisoner","url":"\/53.1-31.2\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31.2","metadata":false},{"id":69710,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-31.3","catch_line":"Notification of incarcerated individuals ineligible for public assistance","url":"\/53.1-31.3\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31.3","metadata":false},{"id":57907,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-31.4","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Government-issued identification; Department of Corrections-issued identification","url":"\/53.1-31.4\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31.4","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":69710,"structure_id":12719,"section_number":"53.1-31.3","catch_line":"Notification of incarcerated individuals ineligible for public assistance","url":"\/53.1-31.3\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/53.1-31.4\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2020. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 484<\/a> and 523<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2025, chapter 656<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":57328,"section_number":"19.2-159","catch_line":"Determination of indigency; guidelines; statement of indigence; appointment of counsel","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-159\/"}],"permalink":{"id":237949,"object_type":"law","relational_id":57907,"identifier":"53.1-31.4","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31.4","url":"\/53.1-31.4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/53.1-31.4\/","token":"53.1\/2\/1\/53.1-31.4","dublin_core":{"Title":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Government-issued identification; Department of Corrections-issued identification","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 53.1-31.4","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Prior to the release or discharge into the community of any prisoner who has been confined for at least 90 days and does not possess a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card, the Department<\/span> shall, in conjunction with the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles, the State Registrar of Vital Records, and any other relevant government agency, provide such prisoner with a certified copy of his birth certificate, his social security card, or a government-issued identification card unless such provision of a government-issued identification card is not possible, in which case, the Department<\/span> shall provide the prisoner with a Department<\/span> of Corrections Offender Identification form. The form shall include (i) a photograph of the prisoner; (ii) the prisoner’s full name; (iii) the prisoner’s date of birth; (iv) the address of the facility in which the prisoner resided at the time of his release or discharge; (v) the prisoner’s release address; and (vi) if available, the prisoner’s citizenship or legal presence in the United States and social security number. Such form shall be verified by the Department<\/span> and provided to the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles in a secured format and by a means mutually agreed upon by the Department<\/span> and the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles and shall, subject to procedures established pursuant to subsection B, serve as proof of identity and proof of Virginia residency and may serve as proof of legal presence in the United States or proof of a social security number, if one is available, as required to obtain a government-issued identification card for the 120 days immediately following the release or discharge of the prisoner identified on such form. If the Department<\/span> receives a government-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security card for a prisoner after his release or discharge, the Department<\/span> shall forward such identification or document to the former prisoner. Unless the prisoner is determined to be indigent<\/span> pursuant to § 19.2-159<\/a>, all costs and fees associated with applying for and obtaining any identification or documents pursuant to this section shall be paid by the prisoner.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “government-issued identification card” does not include a REAL ID credential. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Department<\/span> and the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles shall cooperatively establish procedures for verifying a Department<\/span> of Corrections Offender Identification form and all information contained therein. The Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles shall not accept a Department<\/span> of Corrections Offender Identification form if the form or any of the information contained on the form cannot be verified. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\n(EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026) GOVERNMENT-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION; DEPARTMENT OF\nCORRECTIONS-ISSUED IDENTIFICATION (\u00a7 53.1-31.4)\n\nA. Prior to the release or discharge into the community of any prisoner who has\nbeen confined for at least 90 days and does not possess a government-issued\nidentification card, birth certificate, or social security card, the Department\nshall, in conjunction with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the State Registrar\nof Vital Records, and any other relevant government agency, provide such\nprisoner with a certified copy of his birth certificate, his social security\ncard, or a government-issued identification card unless such provision of a\ngovernment-issued identification card is not possible, in which case, the\nDepartment shall provide the prisoner with a Department of Corrections Offender\nIdentification form. The form shall include (i) a photograph of the prisoner;\n(ii) the prisoner’s full name; (iii) the prisoner’s date of birth;\n(iv) the address of the facility in which the prisoner resided at the time of\nhis release or discharge; (v) the prisoner’s release address; and (vi) if\navailable, the prisoner’s citizenship or legal presence in the United\nStates and social security number. Such form shall be verified by the Department\nand provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles in a secured format and by a\nmeans mutually agreed upon by the Department and the Department of Motor\nVehicles and shall, subject to procedures established pursuant to subsection B,\nserve as proof of identity and proof of Virginia residency and may serve as\nproof of legal presence in the United States or proof of a social security\nnumber, if one is available, as required to obtain a government-issued\nidentification card for the 120 days immediately following the release or\ndischarge of the prisoner identified on such form. If the Department receives a\ngovernment-issued identification card, birth certificate, or social security\ncard for a prisoner after his release or discharge, the Department shall forward\nsuch identification or document to the former prisoner. Unless the prisoner is\ndetermined to be indigent pursuant to § 19.2-159, all costs and fees\nassociated with applying for and obtaining any identification or documents\npursuant to this section shall be paid by the prisoner.\n\t\t\tFor the purposes of this section, “government-issued identification\ncard” does not include a REAL ID credential.\n\nB. The Department and the Department of Motor Vehicles shall cooperatively\nestablish procedures for verifying a Department of Corrections Offender\nIdentification form and all information contained therein. The Department of\nMotor Vehicles shall not accept a Department of Corrections Offender\nIdentification form if the form or any of the information contained on the form\ncannot be verified.\n\nHISTORY: 2020, cc. 484, 523; 2025, c. 656.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}