Obtaining Your Florida Driver License or Identification Card

Florida law requires identification, proof of date of birth and social security number (if issued, Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to collect social security numbers for the issuance of driver license and identification cards) from all customers before a driver license or identification card can be issued. The name assigned to the social security number must match the name that will appear on the Florida driver license or identification card. If you have recently changed your name, update your records with the Social Security Administration before you apply for your license or identification card. Each U.S. citizen who applies for an original driver license or identification card must submit:

One of the following (3) documents:

1. Certified United States birth certificate, including territories and District of Columbia; or
2. Valid United States passport; or
3. Certificate of Naturalization
4. Effective April 10, 2002, United States Military ID cards with an officer rank will be accepted as proof of citizenship only; however, not as proof of primary identification.
5. NOTE: Proof of citizenship or legal presence may be required for renewal, duplicate or replacement licenses. Please come prepared to present one of the above identification documents as proof of citizenship or legal presence.

And a secondary document, which substantiates the primary document, is required. Document may include, but is not limited to, the original or certified copy of one of the following:

1. School record stating date of birth, which must contain the registrar’s signature.
2. Transcript of the birth record filed with a public officer charged with the duty of recording certificates.
3. Baptism certificate, which shows date of birth and the place of baptism.
4. An insurance policy on the customer’s life which has been in force for at least two years and has the month, day and year of birth.
5. United States military or military dependent identification card.
   • Effective April 10, 2002, United States Military ID cards with an officer rank will be accepted as proof of citizenship only; however, not as proof of primary identification.
6. Florida or out-of-state driver license, valid or expired.
7. Florida license record or identification card record.
8. Selective Service Registration (Draft Card).
9. Florida Vehicle Registration certificate (HSMV 83399, owner’s copy) obtained from the tax collector’s office where the customer’s vehicle was registered, Florida, or out-of-state registration certificate, if name and date of birth are shown.
10. Florida and out-of-state non-driver identification cards (state issued).
11. Receipt copy of your last Florida driver license issuance.
12. Immigration form I-571.
13. Federal form DD-214 (military record).
14. Marriage certificate.
15. Court order, which includes legal name.
16. A Florida voter registration card, which was issued at least 3 months previously.
17. Personal identification by an examiner or by a person well known to the examiner.
18. Social Security Card (Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to collect social security numbers for the issuance of driver license and identification cards).
19. Family bible record or birth announcement in baby book.
20. Parent consent form of minor.
21. Out-of-country driver license or identification card, government issued

United States Citizens With Out-of-State Licenses

Any person who holds a license or identification card from the District of Columbia, United States Territories or one of our 50 states (with the exception of those listed below) may present his/her license or ID card as primary identification document. An approved secondary identification document is also required, is also required. A social security number, if issued (Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to collect social security numbers for the issuance of driver license and identification cards), MUST be included on the application. The name assigned to the social security number must match the name that will appear on the Florida driver license or identification card. If you have recently changed your name, update your records with the Social Security Administration before you apply for your license or identification card.

Important Note: Driver licenses from the following states

are acceptable as secondary identification and to reciprocate driving privileges, and must be accompanied by one of the following:

1. Original or certified United States birth certificate (including territories and District of Columbia)
2. Valid United States passport
3. Certificate of Naturalization.
4. Effective April 10, 2002, United States Military ID cards with an officer rank will be accepted as proof of citizenship only; however, not as proof of primary identification.

Name Change for United States Citizens

If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must submit the original or a certified copy of your marriage certificate or court order. No photocopies will be accepted unless certified by the issuing authority.

Non-United States Citizens

Original Driver License or Identification Card Florida law requires identification, proof of date of birth and social security number (if issued, Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to collect social security numbers for the issuance of driver license and identification cards) from all customers before a driver license or identification card can be issued. The name assigned to the social security number must match the name that will appear on the Florida driver license or identification card. If you have recently changed your name, update your records with the Social Security Administration before you apply for your license or identification card.

Immigrants
Each immigrant who applies for an original driver license or identification card must submit:

1. Alien Registration receipt card, (Green card, Form I-551); or
2. I-551 stamp in passport or on I-94; or
3. Immigration Judges Order, with the customer's A-number, granting asylum; or
4. I-797, with the customer's A-number, stating the customer has been granted asylum; or
5. I-797 or another form from the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, with the customer's A-number, stating the customer's application for Refugee status is approved; or

Non-Immigrants

Each non-immigrant who applies for an original driver license or identification card must submit:

1. Employment authorization card issued by the United States Department of Justice (Form I688B or I-766); or
2. Proof of nonimmigrant classification provided by United States Department of Justice (Form I-94, not expired, with required supporting attachment(s). If in doubt regarding required documents, please bring all of your INS documentation with you.). I-94s must be accompanied by a Passport. Certain classifications require additional documentation. Some examples are:
   • F-1 and M-1 classification must also be accompanied by an I-20.
   • I J-1 or J-2 designation must be accompanied by an IAP-66.
   • Refugee, asylee and parolee classifications must be accompanied by additional documentation.
     
     

The following documents will only be accepted with a supporting document, including but not limited to a Passport, Florida Driver License or Identification Card, Driver License from any other state, Employment Authorization Card, Employer Identification, Identification from home country, Identification from school or college, Social Security Card (Chapter 322, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to collect social security numbers for the issuance of driver license and identification cards) or other INS document.

3. I-571 Travel Document/Refugee Travel Permit
4. I-512 Parole Letter Accepted
5. IJO- Asylum or Cancellation of Removal - Immigration Judges Order granting Asylum or Cancellation of Removal.
   • All required and supporting documents MUST be original or certified.
   • Documents must be valid for more than 30 days from the date of issuance.
   • Non-U.S. citizens applying for an original driver license will be issued a 30-day, no photo, paper temporary permit and a receipt. Non-U.S. citizens applying for an identification card will be issued a receipt.
   • All records are transmitted to our database in Tallahassee, where the information will be examined and run against FDLE, FBI and INS databases.
   • Upon identity and legal status verification, a driver license or identification card will be issued within 30 days from Tallahassee, mailed to the address on the driver record. The license or identification card will be issued for the period of time specified on the INS document, up to a maximum of one year.
   • If a problem is detected, a denial of issuance letter will be mailed to the customer.

Canadian Citizens

Under federal law, Canadian citizens are non-immigrants and are allowed to stay in the U.S. without obtaining INS documentation. Canadians without INS documents must provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be issued a Florida driver license or identification card by presenting presenting one of the following documents and a secondary form of identification:

1. Canadian passport
2. Original or certified Canadian birth certificate
3. Canadian Naturalization Certificate

All Canadian citizens will be issued an original or renewal driver license for one calendar year from the date of issue.

If you are not a Canadian citizen and have a Canadian driver license, you are required to provide the same proof of legal presence as any other non-U.S. citizen.

Renewals, Duplicates or Replacements for Non-United States Citizens

• Any immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a renewal, duplicate or replacement driver license or identification card must apply in person at a driver license office at least one time after March 1, 2002, and re-present his/her identification documents required by Florida law.
• Any non-immigrant holding a driver license or identification card who needs a renewal, duplicate, or replacement driver license or identification card must apply in person at a driver license office and present identification and legal presence documents.
• If you do not have the required documents showing legal presence, your driver license or identification card will be retained and a receipt issued. If you have an unexpired driver license, you will be issued a 30-day temporary permit. When you return with the required documentation, you will be processed for a renewal, duplicate or replacement license and the expiration date will be changed to the expiration date on your INS document.

Name Change for Non-United States Citizens

• If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must have your name changed on your Citizen and Immigration Services (CIS) documents.
• Canadian Citizens: If you have legally changed your name by marriage or court order, you must have your name changed on your Canadian license, and/or passport before applying for a name change on your driver license or identification card.