GDA is required by O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1 to verify citizenship/immigration status for public benefits issued. Public benefits are defined in the law as certifications, licenses, registrations, state grant, etc. All new or renewal licenses are required to complete a notarized affidavit and provide one form of acceptable documentation as defined in O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1. The department implemented this change online in 2013. As directed by law, GDA uses the Federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
Choose one:
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military ID
- Driver’s License
- Issued by:
- U.S. State
- District of Columbia
- Puerto Rico
- Guam
- Northern Marianas Islands
- Virgin Islands
- American Samoa
- Swain Islands
- Issued by:
- Tribal Identification
- Federally Recognized Native American tribe
- Permanent Resident Card
- Green Card
- Employment Authorization Document
- VISA
- Passport Issued by a Foreign Government
- Merchant Mariner Document
- Issued by U.S. Coast Guard
- Canadian Driver’s License
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Issued by U.S. Dept. of Citizenship & Immigration Services
- • Birth Certificate
- Issued by U.S. Dept. of State
We can accept all types of files. The only time an item is rejected is if a representative cannot view the document or if the document is incomplete when submitted.
An approval email will be submitted to you automatically once the document is reviewed. This should happen within one business day. If you have not received the approval email within one business day of online submittal, please email GDALicensing@agr.georgia.gov.
Please notify us if you have previously submitted an affidavit and one acceptable document for any other license issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. This will allow us to search our databases and upload the required documentation for your new license and enable a better customer service experience. For assistance, email GDALicensing@agr.georgia.gov or call the Customer Service Center at 855-4-AG-LICENSE (855-424-5423).
GDA uses the Federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security for citizenship/immigration status. In order to reconcile a denied status, please contact a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service field office.
For more information or to find your local field office, go to http://www.uscis.gov The National Customer Service Center number is: 1-800-375-5283.
You may mail or fax your affidavit and a copy of your authorized documentation to our customer service center for upload. The Licensing Division fax number is 404-586- 1126. You may also take and upload a photo of your authorized documentation using your smartphone device.
Yes, We take your privacy very seriously. When you login, you will go to a HTTPS: page (using SSL encryption), which makes sure that your information cannot be captured as it comes to our servers. Documents are housed on servers in a secure facility with biometric access, and user/passwords required for downloading any documents.
Yes, the affidavit can be used to verify both individual applicants and companies. The affidavit is a form issued by the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts in order for applicants of a public benefit to prove that they are legal residents of the United States or have authorization via green card, etc. to legally operate within the United States.
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Contact your local town or city hall.
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Visit an official court near your location.
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Check your banking or financial institution.
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Research your local notary options online.
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Contact your insurance company to determine if it has a notary you can use.
Please contact the GDA Customer Service Center at 404-586-1411 or 855-4-AG- LICENSE (855-424-5423)-Toll Free or email GDALicensing@agr.georgia.gov. One of our customer service team members will gladly assist you.
Yes. There are several options for free email addresses available to customers (Google mail, Yahoo mail, Microsoft Outlook online, etc.).
There is not currently a way to use data from other state agencies. S&V documents will have to be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
No, pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1, S&V documents will only need to be submitted one time. Companies will only have to resubmit when their ownership changes.
Any person needing assistance with S&V documents can call the Customer Service Center at 404-586-1411 or 855-4-AG-LICENSE (855-424-5423)- Toll Free. One of our customer service team members will assist you with your questions. You may also email your questions to GDALicensing@agr.georgia.gov.
Additional information can be found at the Dept. of Homeland Security (SAVE Program) - http://www.uscis.gov/save.
Section 20 of House Bill 87 created a new Code section, O.C.G.A. §50-36-3, which establishes the Immigration Enforcement Review Board. O.C.G.A. §50-36-3(d) specifies the duties of the Board, as follows:
(1) To conduct a review or investigation of any complaint properly filed with the board
(2) To take such remedial action deemed appropriate in response to complaints filed with the board, including holding hearings and considering evidence;
(3) To make and adopt rules and regulations consistent with the provisions of this Code section; and
(4) To subpoena relevant documents and witnesses and to place witnesses under oath for the provision of testimony in matters before the board.
O.C.G.A. §50-36-3(e) states “The board shall have the authority to investigate and review any complaint with respect to all actions of a public agency or employee alleged to have violated or failed to properly enforce the provisions of Code section 13-10-91, 36-80-23, or 50-36-1 with which such public agency or employee was required to comply. Complaints may be received from any legal resident of this state as defined by Code Section 40-2-1 who is also a legally registered voter. The method and grounds for filing a complaint shall be posted on the Department of Audits and (Accounts’) website.”
The method and grounds for filing a complaint can be found at the Georgia Department of Audits & Accounts website, https://www.audits2.ga.gov.