Proof of lawful status now required for Texas driver licenses or identification cards

Texas Department of Public Safety ^ | October 1, 2008 | Texas Department of Public Safety

[MeekOneGOP]

Proof of lawful status now required for Texas driver licenses or identification cards

Beginning Oct. 1, the Department of Public Safety will require applicants who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States to present proof of their lawful status in the U.S. before they are issued an original, renewal or duplicate Texas driver license or identification card.

Administrative rule 37 T.A.C. § 15.171 adopted on August 25, 2008, is intended to enhance the security of the Texas driver license and identification cards, protect the integrity of the licensing process and reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud. Strengthening identity and residency requirements assists DPS in issuing secure documents that are routinely used by financial institutions, retailers, law enforcement and other entities to establish the identity of their customers.

Under the new rule, the DPS will issue driver licenses or identification cards to non-U.S. citizens only when acceptable documentation has been provided to the Department to confirm the applicant’s lawful status in the United States. Upon verification of lawful status in the U.S. the individual will receive a license with a Temporary Visitor designation and status date on the face of the card. The new rule also requires the cardholder to provide proof that their lawful status has been updated or extended before DPS will issue a duplicate or renewal. DPS will cancel the license or ID card if the cardholder is unable to present valid documentation that shows federal approval to remain in the United States beyond the status date.

An applicant whose lawful admission period is less than six months will not be issued a driver license or identification card.

An individual who is not legally present in the United States because he or she has entered the country without permission, or has stayed beyond the period authorized by federal authorities, will not be granted a DL or ID card.

For more detailed information on the new rule, see the following information.

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Rule 37 T.A.C. 15.171 Issuance of Driver Licenses and Identification Certificates to Non-citizens
October 1, 2008.

A Citizen of the United States:

• If U.S. citizen, no documentation is needed.

A New US Citizen:

• The applicant must present:
  • Birth certificate issued by the appropriate U.S. state (or District of Columbia) Bureau of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency;
  • Certificate of U.S. Citizenship;
  • Certificate of U.S. Naturalization;
  • U.S. Citizen Identification Card; or
  • Identification Card for Resident Citizen of the United States.

A Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States:

• If the applicant is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., the applicant must present:
  • Valid U.S. Dept. of State “Immigrant Visa”; or
  • Valid U.S. Resident Alien Card (Form I-551)

All others who are NOT a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States:

• Must present valid documentation issued by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, or U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, that shows LAWFUL TEMPORARY ADMISSION to the U.S.
• If unable to present lawful status documentation, NO DL or ID card will be issued.
• If documentation indicates a lawful temporary admission period of MORE than six months the Temporary Visitor designation and status date will be printed on the card. 
• If the lawful admission period in the U.S. expires in LESS than six months from the date of application, NO DL or ID card (original, renewal, or duplicate) will be issued.
• If documentation has an indefinite expiration date of lawful temporary admission (“D/S” or “Duration of Status”), the Temporary Visitor status date printed on the card will be one (1) year from the date of application.
• Prior to expiration of the Temporary Visitor status date, the applicant must present in-person at a driver license office, valid documentation of a status change or extension of stay in the U.S. and obtain a duplicate (or renewal) with an updated Temporary Visitor status date.
  • If the applicant does not provide the necessary documentation and update the Temporary Visitor status date on or before the status date expiration, the card will be cancelled and the person may not operate a motor vehicle until the cancellation has been lifted.
  • If the expiration date of the card expires on or before the Temporary Visitor status date, documentation will be required to update the Temporary Visitor status date when the card is renewed.

NOTE: Border Crossing cards are NOT acceptable for establishing a lawful temporary admission for a license or identification certificate.

Follow this link to receive detailed information regarding the Department’s Identification policy.

[MeekOneGOP]

I went to the TX DPS yesterday to renew my Texas Drivers License.

On the reminder card I got in the mail recently, it stated only that I had to show proof of valid Social Security documentation. Since I had my ORIGINAL SS Card from 1970 in my wallet, I wasn't concerned.

HOWEVER, when I got to TX DPS, the clerk said that PROOF of U.S. Citizenship was required before I could renew my license. She apologized for the inconvenience as I had to go back to my home and get my passport. She was very nice.

To renew your Texas Drivers License now, you MUST present your birth certificate or passport. She said that even an EXPIRED passport will suffice, too. They just want proof of citizenship now! And the passport shows U.S. citizenship on it. Also NOTE!: If you choose to go with the birth certificate, make sure the birth certificate is one from the STATE. The ORIGINAL one from the hospital issued when you are born, is NOT sufficient she said! (You will have to go to a county office to get your birth certificate).

So let this serve as a public announcement: when you go to RENEW your TX DL, TAKE your birth certificate or PASSPORT to prove U.S. Citizenship !!!

I think this is great, actually !! Maybe Texas is getting SERIOUS about enforcing our security and immigration laws. Yay! :)

See the above information from the Texas Department of Public Safety for more detail !!

[MeekOneGOP]

Heads up, Texans!!!! (Excerpt of MY comment above):

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To renew your Texas Drivers License now, you MUST present your birth certificate or passport. She said that even an EXPIRED passport will suffice, too. They just want proof of citizenship now! And the passport shows U.S. citizenship on it. Also NOTE!: If you choose to go with the birth certificate, make sure the birth certificate is one from the STATE. The ORIGINAL one from the hospital issued when you are born, is NOT sufficient she said! (You will have to go to a county office to get your birth certificate).

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Pingin' my TEXAS list here!!!

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

I wonder if it’s legal to ask to see it at the polls...

[MeekOneGOP]

Just a friendly fyi, folks!

Pingin' my General Interest List ... and a few others here as well!

[mnehring]

btt

[TADSLOS]

Guess I had better keep my passport current since my original birth certificate is a German document.

[MeekOneGOP]

YES !!!

I think PHOTO ID SHOULD be required when you vote !!!

[cbkaty]

An individual who is not legally present in the United States because he or she has entered the country without permission, or has stayed beyond the period authorized by federal authorities, will not be granted a DL or ID card.

Now folks for the obvious.....Why not arrest and deport the bastards on the spot?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Thanks - I”m very proud to see our State doing something like this!

[IronKros]

Yup, My wife was in the INS/ Homeland Security process when she first received her driver's license.

A couple months ago it was time to renew. They had her come in person and show proof of Permanent Lawful Resident/ Citizenship before she could be issued the renewed license.

I was quite happy with the inconvenience... especially when I went online to renew mine.

[MeekOneGOP]

Hmmmmm ...

My brother was born at Coca Sola Hospital in the Canal Zone, Panama!

He would likely have to go the passport route as well.

I wasn’t sure if I have my b.c. here at the house or not.

But I KNEW I had a passport because I got one in 2001 before I went to China. And I had a GOOD idea when it was, too.

So it wasn’t TOO MUCH of an inconvenience for me.

And I am GLAD to see this being taken somewhat seriously now, too! :^D

[SwinneySwitch]

Bumping!

[Jen]

Good news. Thanks Meek!

[353FMG]

Grussgott und Mahlzeit!!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Thanks for saying it wasn’t too much of an inconvenience! I”m sure those folks, like you and your wife, who went through the legal process of obtaining citizenship value it and see why other citizens are angry at those sneaking into the country...

[MeekOneGOP]

** Now folks for the obvious.....Why not arrest and deport the ba$tards on the spot? **

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Amen!!! :)

[ArrogantBustard]

You just showed the DMV better documentation of your eligibility for a Driver License than C0mrade 0bama has shown of his eligilbility for the Presidency.

[ArrogantBustard]

I presume you have naturalization documents?

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for passing this along, FRiend !!! :)

[TADSLOS]

Yep. It’ll just be a little more complicated for us military dependents born overseas, but it’s a step in the right direction.