Dave Elias
•7/30/2026
A Port Charlotte woman says her complex marital history and missing documents have left her unable to obtain a Florida driver’s license, highlighting a statewide issue affecting others with identity verification challenges. Since breaking the story, dozens of people have reached out to Gulf Coast News, saying they cannot get a Florida driver’s license. In most cases, their birth certificates do not match their current licenses or other documents. Chief Political Reporter Dave Elias said the problem appears to be widespread, and one lawmaker is now seeking answers. Republican State Rep. Vanessa Oliver of District 76 in Charlotte County said she is looking into the issue after seeing the story. “First of all, my heart goes out to those folks who are having this issue,” Oliver said. “I’m so grateful to you for bringing this to my attention. I want to consider all options on the table to ensure U.S. citizens who were born here are able to get driver’s licenses in the state of Florida.” Barbie Mitchell, 62, said her marital history has complicated her ability to prove her identity. She has been married three times, and the state requires her to provide documentation for each marriage and divorce. “This is my marriage certificate when I was 20 years old,” Mitchell said, showing one of her documents. Mitchell explained that her second marriage, to a man named Johnson, has caused the most issues. The couple legally separated before he died, but his body was never recovered after Hurricane Katrina. “They never found his body,” Mitchell said. “I’ve even tried to obtain his death certificate. They maintain there isn’t one to get.” Without a death certificate, Mitchell could not finalize a divorce, but she was able to marry a third time and take the name Mitchell. Despite her efforts to move forward, she said the state refuses to issue her a driver’s license. “There is not enough words for me to put into one word the living hell this has been,” Mitchell said. Mitchell said she has been stuck at home for six months because she cannot drive, even though the state issued her a Florida title and license plate for her car. “You register my car under Barbara Marie Mitchell, and I can’t drive here,” she said. Mitchell expressed frustration over the situation, saying she has done everything she can to prove her identity. “What else do I need to prove to these folks that this is me?” she said. Oliver said she plans to focus on resolving the issue for Mitchell and others facing similar challenges. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
