Alaska will join 26 other states and move to the central issuance format for IDs, drivers licenses, and permits beginning in June of this year, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Beginning next month, all new issues, and renewals will be issued a temporary card that is good for a period of 60 days at their local DMV. That temporary card will be a sturdy paper replica and will serve as an official ID or license until a permanent ID or license is mailed through the mail from a centralized facility. the new permanent license will arrive in approximately 2 weeks of the date of issuance according to DMV.

Alaska is moving to a central issuance and new card design in an effort to make it harder for criminals to obtain your identity and a new card will include numerous security features for identity protection and for the reduction of fraud.

Features on the new card will include a fine line pattern, a second “ghost image” of the cardholder, and a clear window in the shape of the state.

Although, it is expected that people will want to renew their license prior to their current licenses expiration, it is not required and all current licenses and IDs are valid until their expiration date.

DMV assures the public that having their license sent through the mail is a secure process. The same process that is used by the financial industry to mail credit and debit cards will be used for the ID and driver’s license cards. Additionally, you will be able to track the status of your license as soon as you have had your temporary credentials issued.

Below is the availability of the new license or ID by region.

• Southcentral Region, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, Glennallen, Trapper Creek, Seward, Soldotna, Homer, Valdez, and Cordova will start central issuance June 5-18, 2014;
• Southeast Region, including Juneau, Petersburg, Wrangell, Craig, Ketchikan, Sitka, Haines, Skagway, and Yakutat will start central issuance around June 10-20, 2014;
• Interior Region, including Fairbanks, Tok, Delta Junction, and Anderson will start central issuance around June 9-17, 2014;
• Southwest Region, including Bethel, Dillingham, King Salmon, Kodiak, and Unalaska will start central issuance around June 11-20; 
• Northern Region, including Nome, Kotzebue, and Barrow will start central issuance around June 13-19, 2014.

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