State ID While Waiting for Work Permit/Green Card

[JimM001]

Hey all. Has anyone tried to get a state driver's license or other state ID while waiting for your work permit (I-765) or green card (I-485)? My wife is here on K-1 visa, and has our marriage certificate, her SSN card, bank account, etc., but we won't receive her work permit probably for a few months (filed June1).

The state DMV tells us she first needs to present her work permit, even though their checklist only shows she needs a foreign passport, SSN card, and some proofs of residence and name. We have everything but the work permit.

Has anyone been successful in getting a state ID without the work permit or green card?

Thanks.

[Tezza]

Hey all. Has anyone tried to get a state driver's license or other state ID while waiting for your work permit (I-765) or green card (I-485)? My wife is here on K-1 visa, and has our marriage certificate, her SSN card, bank account, etc., but we won't receive her work permit probably for a few months (filed June1).

The state DMV tells us she first needs to present her work permit, even though their checklist only shows she needs a foreign passport, SSN card, and some proofs of residence and name. We have everything but the work permit.

Has anyone been successful in getting a state ID without the work permit or green card?

Thanks.

There have been a few people that have managed to do this. It's all dependent on the state's requirements, some are stricter than others. If you're happy to share your state, do that and there might be someone here who has been through it in your state and can help further.

[b3b3g1]

Hey all. Has anyone tried to get a state driver's license or other state ID while waiting for your work permit (I-765) or green card (I-485)? My wife is here on K-1 visa, and has our marriage certificate, her SSN card, bank account, etc., but we won't receive her work permit probably for a few months (filed June1).

The state DMV tells us she first needs to present her work permit, even though their checklist only shows she needs a foreign passport, SSN card, and some proofs of residence and name. We have everything but the work permit.

Has anyone been successful in getting a state ID without the work permit or green card?

Thanks.

I have tried in Houston, TX but no luck 😔😔. I was a very disappointing experience with DPS workers behavior.. I have even talked to the manager and showed all written docs which clearly states that I am eligible to get a driver's license. She said that they cannot approve my ID with my valid passport!! After visiting 2 different DPS I gave up and understood that it is their policy.. pls let us know which state you are applying from and even though I couldn't manage to get one, strongly suggest to give a try.

[JimM001]

Thanks. This was New York state. The front desk reviewer at DMV said our documents were okay, and even according to their internal checklist we we had more than enough. But when we sat with the clerk the first thing she did was look at the SSN card with the work permit disclaimer and said "wheres your work permit?". Without that she said no ID. And surprisingly she also said our cancelled personal check was no good because it needed to be cancelled by the bank, not by hand. As soon as I heard that I began to wonder if she was just being difficult.

[Roxilili]

In Virginia I got my driver license valid for a year using the receipt I-797 + the others usual documents, with the EAD I can go and get my driver license for 2 years.
Here they don't ask for SSN, but they ask for any two valid ID (they have a list), prove of residence no more than 3 months old, you can even go to the Post Office and get your prove of residence address there.

Hope help you this information.

[kaylip]

Hey all. Has anyone tried to get a state driver's license or other state ID while waiting for your work permit (I-765) or green card (I-485)? My wife is here on K-1 visa, and has our marriage certificate, her SSN card, bank account, etc., but we won't receive her work permit probably for a few months (filed June1).

The state DMV tells us she first needs to present her work permit, even though their checklist only shows she needs a foreign passport, SSN card, and some proofs of residence and name. We have everything but the work permit.

Has anyone been successful in getting a state ID without the work permit or green card?

Thanks.

I know California allows it but other states have more requirements. Because of the current political climate some states have already started Real ID(a new type of driver's license) and have stricter policies and requirements. I personally think Republican states have heavier restrictions when it comes to driver's license. You may just have to wait on the EAD.

[newacct]

Thanks. This was New York state. The front desk reviewer at DMV said our documents were okay, and even according to their internal checklist we we had more than enough. But when we sat with the clerk the first thing she did was look at the SSN card with the work permit disclaimer and said "wheres your work permit?". Without that she said no ID. And surprisingly she also said our cancelled personal check was no good because it needed to be cancelled by the bank, not by hand. As soon as I heard that I began to wonder if she was just being difficult.

Looking at this document guide or this list from New York state, you don't seem to have any document that satisfies the Date of Birth requirement until you get an EAD or green card.

[JimM001]

Looking at this document guide or this list from New York state, you don't seem to have any document that satisfies the Date of Birth requirement until you get an EAD or green card.

It says "foreign passport with visa and I-94", which we have

[newacct]

It says "foreign passport with visa and I-94", which we have

That's only for if your I-94 and status hasn't expired yet, and you will only get a driver's license or ID until the date your status expires. Has your I-94 and status not expired yet?

[JimM001]

That's only for if your I-94 and status hasn't expired yet, and you will only get a driver's license or ID until the date your status expires. Has your I-94 and status not expired yet?

Ahhh, okay. She never even looked at the passport so I assumed it was good. I didnt think expiration dates were relevant to name and date of birth verification. Thanks.

[Tezza]

Ahhh, okay. She never even looked at the passport so I assumed it was good. I didnt think expiration dates were relevant to name and date of birth verification. Thanks.

Status is relevant because it's not just name and DOB verification they're after. They need to know you're under a status that is eligible for a state ID, that is where the requirement for EAD or GC comes in. Some states, like Virginia that seem to have the easiest rules, allow you to show them an I-797 receipt of your I-485, but most don't allow that.