How to Complete a West Virginia Affidavit of Residency

Q: Does this work for REAL ID?

Yes. If you are applying for a "Gold Star" REAL ID, the Affidavit of Residency is an accepted document. However, the standard for the Sponsor's documents remains high—they must be valid, unexpired, and official government or utility documents.

Q: Can I use a PO Box on the affidavit?

No. The purpose of the affidavit is to establish your physical domicile. You may list a PO Box as your mailing address on your application form, but the affidavit must list the physical location of the house or apartment.

If you recently moved to West Virginia but live with a parent, partner, or roommate, you likely face a common roadblock: you need a driver’s license, but you don’t have utility bills in your name to prove where you live.

The West Virginia DMV solves this with the Affidavit of West Virginia Residency. This legal workaround allows a homeowner or primary tenant to “sponsor” you. By signing a sworn statement, they essentially transfer the validity of their residency documents to you, satisfying the state’s strict two-document requirement.

This guide explains how to execute this affidavit properly, whether you are bringing your sponsor to the DMV or filing the paperwork solo.

Step 1: Sponsor Residency Requirements for WV DMV Affidavit

You cannot sign this affidavit alone. You must have a Sponsor—the person who legally owns or rents the home where you live—vouch for you.

The DMV is strict about this: your sponsor must prove their residency before they can verify yours. They must provide two acceptable documents that show their name and the physical West Virginia address you share.

Common Valid Sponsor Documents:

Utility Bill: Electric, water, gas, or cable (Must be less than 60 days old).
WV Vehicle Registration: Must be current.
Tax Records: WV property tax receipts or W-2 forms (not older than 18 months).
Voter Registration Card: Issued by the county clerk.

Critical Rule: The address on these documents must match exactly. If your sponsor uses a PO Box for mail but the affidavit lists a street address, the DMV will likely reject the application for inconsistency.

Step 2: How to Submit the West Virginia Residency Affidavit

You have two ways to file the affidavit. The method you choose determines whether or not you need a notary.

Method A: Sponsor Appears in Person at the WV DMV (No Notary Required)

This is the most efficient route. If your sponsor can take time off to visit the Regional DMV office with you, you can skip the notary public entirely.

Go Together: You and your sponsor approach the counter.
Present Evidence: The sponsor shows their valid Driver’s License and their two residency documents.
Sign on the Spot: The sponsor signs the Section B affidavit on the application (Form DMV-DS-23P) in front of the DMV examiner.
Verification: The examiner acts as the witness, accepting the affidavit immediately.

Method B: Notarized Affidavit of Residency (Sponsor Not Present)

If your sponsor cannot come with you, the paperwork burden increases. You cannot simply bring a note signed by them; it must be a sworn legal statement.

Download Form DMV-DS-23P: This is the standard “Application for a Driver’s License or ID Card.”
Complete Section B: Your sponsor must fill out the “Affidavit of West Virginia Residency” section.
Notarize It: The sponsor must sign this section in the presence of a Notary Public. The notary will stamp and seal the document.
The Drop-Off: You take the original notarized form + photocopies of your sponsor’s two residency documents to the DMV.

Special Residency Scenarios in West Virginia

WV Residency Rules for College Students Living in Dorms

If you are a college student living in a dorm, you do not need a parent to sign an affidavit. Instead, you can provide an official letter from your university’s Registrar or Student Housing office stating that you reside on campus. This single document counts as proof of WV residency.

Handling Name Differences on Sponsor Documents (Marriage or Name Change)

If your sponsor is your spouse, but their utility bills are in their maiden name (or a former name), you must bring a Certified Marriage Certificate to bridge the gap. The DMV needs a clear paper trail linking the person standing in front of them to the name printed on the electric bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this work for REAL ID?

Yes. If you are applying for a “Gold Star” REAL ID, the Affidavit of Residency is an accepted document. However, the standard for the Sponsor’s documents remains high—they must be valid, unexpired, and official government or utility documents.

Can I use a PO Box on the affidavit?

No. The purpose of the affidavit is to establish your physical domicile. You may list a PO Box as your mailing address on your application form, but the affidavit must list the physical location of the house or apartment.

My sponsor’s license has an old address. Is that okay?

It is risky. If your Sponsor’s driver’s license shows a different address than the utility bills they are presenting, the DMV may reject the affidavit. It is best if your Sponsor updates their license address first (or at the same time) to ensure the file is consistent.

Conclusion

The Affidavit of West Virginia Residency is a powerful tool to bypass the “no bills” problem, but it requires precision. Ensure your sponsor’s documents are under the 60-day limit and that their signature is either witnessed by a notary or a DMV clerk—never signed at the kitchen table. Once your residency is accepted and your license is issued, you generally have 30 days to handle the rest of your fleet. If you own a car, your next administrative move is to complete a West Virginia vehicle registration transfer to ensure your plates match your new legal address.