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Do I Need a Green Card to Get a Driver's License in Florida?

Do I need a green card to get a driver's license in Florida? This is the question that many non-citizens ask themselves when they are trying to get one. While it may seem like you should just need a social security number, there are actually other requirements as well.


Do you not need to have a green card to get a driver's license in Florida. However, the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles does require substantial evidence in order to issue you such a license. The easiest way to understand the documentation required is to break it down into two categories. Immigrant and Nonimmigrant.


In order to find out what you will need for your specific situation and how long it will take. You can read below:


Immigrants renewing, replacing, or applying for a driver's license or ID card in person need to submit the following documents. Due to Florida's strict identification requirements, noncitizens must ensure that the name on their Social Security Number (SSN) corresponds with the name appearing on their Florida driver's license or ID card. Individuals who have recently changed their names should update their records with the Social Security Administration before applying for a Florida driver's license or ID card.


If you are an immigrant or have been granted some manner of lawful permanent residency in the United States.....


1. Primary Identification

An original of one of the following documents with the complete name:

Valid alien registration receipt card (green card, form I-551);

I-551 stamp in the applicant's passport or on his or her I-94;

An Immigration judge's order, containing the customer's A-number (alien number), granting asylum;

I-797, containing the individual's A-number (alien number), stating that the applicant has been granted asylum by USCIS; or

I-797, or another form from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), with the customer's A-number, reflecting that your application for refugee status is approved.


2. Proof of Social Security

An original of one of the following documents with complete name and complete SSN:

Social Security card (with the applicant's current name);
W-2 form (not handwritten);
Paycheck/stub;
SSA-1099; or
Any 1099 (not handwritten)
If you do not have an SSN, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration indicating that you were never issued one. Individuals with a non-immigrant status that are not in the country on a work visa are not required to obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration.

3. Proof of Residential Address

Applicants may not use their current driver's license or ID card as proof of residential address. Applicants must submit TWO different documents with their residential address (printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable). Residential address documents include, but are not limited to:

Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement;
Florida voter registration card;
Florida vehicle registration or title
Utility bill;
A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of the application;
Automobile payment booklet;
Selective service card;
Medical or health card with address listed;
Current homeowner insurance policy or bill;
Current automobile insurance policy or bill;
Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year;
An unexpired professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S.;
W-2 form or 1099 form;
Form DS2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status;
A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a halfway house verifying they receive mail for the customer. The letter must be accompanied by a Certification of Address form;
Mail from financial institutions including checking, savings, or investment account statements;
Mail from federal, state, county, or city government agencies; or
FDLE registration form completed by local sheriff department.

Applicants who do not have the above documents in their name may provide two proofs of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or another person with whom they reside and a Certification of Address form.

If you are a nonimmigrant and have not obtained immigrant or lawful permanent residence status you need the following...


Noncitizens who are renewing, replacing, or applying for a new driver's license must submit the following documents before a driver's license can be issued. Applicants need to assure that the name assigned to their Social Security Number (SSN) matches the name that will appear on their Florida driver's license.


1. Primary Identification

An original of one of the following documents with the complete name:

Valid employment authorization card issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) form I-688B or I-766;
Non-expired proof of nonimmigrant classification provided by DHS form I-94 with required supporting attachment(s). If a customer is unsure of the required documentation, they should bring all United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation with them.
I-94s must be accompanied by a valid passport with a date of entry stamp. Certain classifications require additional documentation. Some examples are: F-1 and M-1 classification must be accompanied by an I-20;
J-1 or J-2 designation must be accompanied by a DS2019;
Refugee, asylee, and parolee classifications must be accompanied by additional documentation;
I-571 travel document/refugee travel permit;
I-512 parole letter accepted; or
Immigration judge's order granting asylum or cancellation of removal.

NOTES

Documents must be valid for more than 30 days from the date of issuance.
Non-U.S. citizens applying for an original driver's license will be issued a 60-day temporary paper permit without a photo and a receipt. Non-U.S. citizens applying for an ID card will be issued a receipt. Upon identity and legal status verification, a driver's license or ID card will be issued within 60 days and mailed to the address on the driver record. The driver's license or ID card will be issued for the period of time specified on the USCIS document, up to a maximum of four years.
If lawful status or identification is not verified, a denial of issuance letter will be mailed to the customer.

2. Proof of Social Security

An original of one of the following documents with complete name and complete SSN:

Social Security card (with customer's current name);
W-2 form (not handwritten);
Pay check/stub;
SSA-1099; or
Any 1099 (not handwritten).


3. Proofs of Residential Address

Customers may not use their current driver's license or ID card as proof of residential address. Customers must submit TWO different documents with their residential address (printouts or faxes of these documents are acceptable). Residential address documents include, but are not limited to:

Deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement;
Florida voter registration card but note: you should not have a voter registration card if you are an immigrant or nonimmigrant. You should only have one if you are a US Citizen.
Florida vehicle registration or title 
Utility bill;
A utility hook up or work order dated within 60 days of the application;
Automobile payment booklet;
Selective service card;
Medical or health card with address listed;
Current homeowner insurance policy or bill;
Current automobile insurance policy or bill;
Educational institution transcript forms for the current school year;
An unexpired professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S.;
W-2 form or 1099 form;
Form DS2019, certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor (J-1) status;
A letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or a halfway house verifying they receive mail for the customer. The letter must be accompanied by a Certification of Address form;
Mail from financial institutions including checking, savings, or investment account statements;
Mail from federal, state, county, or city government agencies; or
Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) registration form completed by the local sheriff department.

Applicants who do not have the above documents in their name may provide two proofs of residential address from a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or another person with whom they reside and a Certification of Address form.

If you have legally changed their name by marriage, divorce or court order you must have your name changed on your USCIS documents.

Non-citizens coming to the US without a work visa are not required to have a Social Security Administration (SSA) refusal letter as long as they can present other forms of proof that they haven't been issued a  Social Security Number (SSN).

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