What documents do foreigners need to apply for a Florida driver’s license?
These are the documents non-citizens must present to get a driver’s license in Florida.
Like all other states, Florida issues driver’s licenses to immigrants and permanent residents. However, undocumented immigrants cannot apply since one of the requirements is to provide proof of legal presence in the United States.
The state’s legislature passed a law recently that requires employers to verify that the person they are looking to hire has a Florida driver’s license or ID. The change was made because there are over a dozen states that distribute these forms of identification to undocumented immigrants. The new law in Florida aims to reduce the employment of undocumented immigrants in the state as it also requires the use of the federal E-verify system to corroborate the legal status of its workers. If a business is found out of compliance, they have a grace period of thirty days to reconcile its records or let workers go. If they do not meet the deadline, they will be fined $1,000 every day that passes.
What documents must be presented?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), these are the documents required for a foreigner to apply for a driver's license.
Immigrants
Immigrants applying in person to renew, replace, or apply for a driver’s license or identification card must present the following documents before the license or card can be issued.
Identification documents (an original of one of the following documents with full name)
- Valid proof of resident registration (Green Card or Form I-551)
- I-551 stamp in passport, or form I-94
- Order issued by an Immigration Judge guaranteeing Asylum status, containing the number of admission to the client's country (Number that begins with the letter A)
- Form I-797, containing the country admission number, indicating that Asylum status has been granted
- Form I-797 or any other document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which includes the admission number to the country, indicating that the Refugee application has been approved.
Proof of Social Security (original of one of the following documents with full name and Social Security Number)
- Social Security Card (with current name)
- Form W-2 (not handwritten)
- Pay slip
- Form SSA-1099
- Any 1099 form (not handwritten)
Proof of Residence Address
Applicants must present two different documents with their Florida residence address (prints or faxed documents will be accepted). On the HSMV web portal, you will find the list of documents accepted to verify your address.
What are the documents for citizens?
Non-immigrants applying in person for a renewal, replacement, or application for a driver’s license or identification card must submit the following documents before the license or card can be issued:
Identification documents (an original of one of the following documents with full name)
- Valid Work Authorization Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (Forms I-688B or I-766)
- Form I-571, which is the travel permit for Refugees
- Form I-512, Parole Acceptance Letter
- The order issued by an Immigration Judge granting Asylum or Cancellation of Removal order
Proof of Social Security (original of one of the following documents with full name and Social Security Number)
- Social Security Card (with current client name)
- Form W-2 (not handwritten)
- Pay slip
- Form SSA-1099
- Any 1099 form (not handwritten)
Proof of Residence Address
Like immigrants, one is required present two different documents with their residence address.