Non-Citizens Can Get a REAL ID If They Have Lawful Status

Yes, non-citizens can obtain a REAL ID—a federally compliant driver's license or ID card—but only if you hold one of the immigration statuses the Department of Homeland Security recognizes as lawful. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen. What matters is that your immigration status is current and documented. The specific statuses that may have access to include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and people with valid work authorizations like an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or H-1B visa.

Each state runs its own REAL ID program, so the exact documents you need and the process vary by location. However, all states follow the same federal rule: you must prove your lawful status to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency. If your status has expired or is pending, you will not be able to get a REAL ID until it is current again.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-citizens with lawful immigration status—including green card holders, refugees, asylees, and people with valid work authorizations—can obtain a REAL ID.
  • You must bring original or certified documents proving both your identity and your lawful immigration status to your state's DMV.
  • Each state has different document requirements, so check your state's DMV website before you go to avoid extra trips.
  • If your immigration status is pending, expired, or conditional, you cannot get a REAL ID until it is resolved or renewed.
  • A REAL ID is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings as of May 2025, but you can use a passport instead if you do not want to get one.

What Lawful Status Means and Which Statuses may have access to

Lawful status means your presence in the United States is authorized by immigration law. This includes people who were born outside the U.S. but have permission to live and work here. The statuses that may have access to for REAL ID are: lawful permanent residents (green card holders); refugees and asylees; people with valid employment-based visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, and others); people with valid student visas (F-1, J-1); people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS); people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); and people with pending asylum cases who have been granted work authorization.

If your status is conditional—meaning it expires on a set date or requires renewal—you can still get a REAL ID, but only while your status is active. Once it expires, your REAL ID remains valid as a driver's license, but it will no longer be accepted for federal purposes like domestic air travel or entry to federal buildings.

Undocumented immigrants cannot get a REAL ID. Some states offer a standard driver's license without REAL ID compliance to undocumented residents, but this license cannot be used for federal purposes.

Documents You Need to Bring to the DMV

You will need to bring proof of three things: your identity, your Social Security number (or proof you do not have one), and your lawful immigration status. The exact documents vary by state, but here is what typically works.

For identity, bring an original or certified copy of your passport, birth certificate, or national ID card from your country of origin. Some states also accept a consular ID card. For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. If you do not have a Social Security number, bring a letter from the SSA stating that you are not may be able to access.

For lawful status, bring the document that proves it. Green card holders bring their Permanent Resident Card. Refugees and asylees bring their I-797 approval notice or refugee travel document. People with work visas bring the visa itself plus the I-797 approval notice. People with DACA bring their Employment Authorization Document. People with TPS bring their EAD or approval notice. If your status is pending (such as an asylum case), bring the receipt notice (I-797) showing your case is in process and that you have been granted work authorization.

You will also need to prove your current address with a recent utility bill, lease, or bank statement. Bring your state ID or passport as well, even though you are getting a new one.

How the REAL ID Process Works for Non-Citizens

The process is the same as for citizens, but the DMV will verify your immigration status with the Department of Homeland Security before issuing your card. This verification can take a few days to a few weeks. Some states do this check in real time at the counter; others mail you a notice once the check is complete.

Schedule an appointment at your state's DMV if possible—walk-ins often face long waits. Bring all original documents or certified copies; the DMV will not accept photocopies of immigration documents. You will fill out an process form (usually the state's driver's license or ID card process), have your photo taken, and pay the fee, which varies by state but is typically $30 to $100 for a REAL ID.

Once the DMV verifies your status with DHS, you will receive your REAL ID card in the mail within one to three weeks. If the DMV cannot verify your status—for example, because your work authorization has expired—they will notify you and you will need to renew your immigration status before trying again.

What Happens If Your Immigration Status Changes or Expires

Your REAL ID card itself does not expire when your immigration status expires. However, once your status is no longer current, you can no longer use the REAL ID for federal purposes. This means you cannot use it to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building, even though it remains a valid state driver's license for driving.

If you renew or change your immigration status, you do not automatically need a new REAL ID card. You can continue using the same card for driving. However, if you want to use it for federal purposes again, you should bring proof of your renewed status to the DMV so they can update their records. Some states require you to get a new card; others straightforward update their system. Check with your state's DMV to be sure.

If your status is denied or you lose your lawful status, your REAL ID will no longer be valid for federal purposes, and you should not use it for air travel or federal building entry.

REAL ID vs. Other ID Options for Non-Citizens

You have other options if you do not want to get a REAL ID or if you are not yet may be able to access. A standard state driver's license or ID card (without REAL ID compliance) works for driving but not for federal purposes. A valid passport from your country of origin works for domestic air travel and federal building entry, so if you already have one, you do not need a REAL ID.

If you have a valid visa in your passport, you can use that passport for federal purposes. Refugees and asylees can use their refugee travel document or advance parole document. People with DACA can use their Employment Authorization Document for some federal purposes, though rules vary. Check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or the specific federal building if you are unsure whether your document will work.

A REAL ID is convenient because it is a state-issued card you carry like a regular driver's license, and it works for both driving and federal purposes. But it is not required if you have another document that serves your needs.

State-by-State Differences in REAL ID Requirements

While all states follow the same federal rule—you must have lawful status—the documents they accept and the process they follow vary. Some states accept a broader range of visas or work authorizations than others. Some states require an in-person appointment; others allow you to renew by mail if you already have a REAL ID. Some states charge more or less for the card.

Before you go to the DMV, visit your state's DMV website and search for "REAL ID" or "federal ID requirements." The website will list exactly which documents you need and whether you need an appointment. If you cannot find the information online, call the DMV directly. This step saves time and prevents you from making a trip only to find out you are missing a document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a REAL ID if my visa is about to expire?

Yes, as long as your visa is currently valid when you explore. However, once it expires, your REAL ID will no longer work for federal purposes. If you are renewing your visa or changing status, wait until your new status is approved before explore for a REAL ID, so you do not have to go back to the DMV again.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can still get a REAL ID. Bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you are not may be able to access for a number, or bring a tax ID number (ITIN) instead. Some states accept an ITIN in place of a Social Security number for REAL ID purposes.

Do I need a REAL ID if I have a valid passport?

No. A valid passport from any country works for domestic air travel and federal building entry. A REAL ID is optional if you already have a passport you carry with you. However, a REAL ID is more convenient if you want to use your state ID card for federal purposes without carrying a separate passport.

What if the DMV cannot verify my immigration status?

The DMV will contact you and explain why the verification failed. Usually this means your status information in the DHS system does not match what you provided, or your status has expired. You will need to resolve the issue with immigration authorities (such as USCIS or your visa sponsor) before you can get a REAL ID. Contact the DMV to find out what specific information is missing.

Can I get a REAL ID if my asylum case is still pending?

Yes, if you have been granted work authorization while your case is pending. Bring your receipt notice (I-797) showing your case number and your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Once your asylum case is decided, you will need to update your status with the DMV if it changes, but you do not need a new REAL ID card unless your state requires it.