When i transfered my out of state Licence to MA about 4 yrs ago, they asked me for I-20, I had not carried with me, had SS card, Out of State licence and passport (valid Visa then), I told them, i did not carry (I was waiting EAD card, but did not tell them anything), then she went to talk with her BOSS, came back made copy of passport pages and went to check her BOSS again, that took her about good 15 minute and came back to say they varified status using their system and gave me the copies of passport she had made. I was issued a Licence for 5 years from Original Out of state one (means same as that of the original).
Just last Month I renewed mine again from MA online, of course there did not come any issues about I-20's, Passports and it is valid for next 5 years. (I am still on F1 status)
So, definitely online is the way to go, if you have to use your passport as one form of Identity. If you can use other forms of IDentities as required and hide your passport, you might be fine.
I one one guy, who renewed his Licence last year using Fake SS card (valid SSN but Fake Card, that was made long back) and his original Driver's Licence, as All they ask is Valid SSN, 2 forms of Identity and signature confirmation.
Good Luck.
Why dont you get it from your own State online.