Driver's License (State ID)
Relocation · Reinvent NY glossary
A driver's license or state ID is issued by each state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and serves as the primary form of identification in the US. Requirements vary by state but typically include proof of identity (passport), proof of address (utility bill, lease), SSN or ITIN, and proof of legal status (visa, I-94). In New York, processing takes 2-3 weeks. REAL ID-compliant licenses (required for domestic flights starting May 2025) have additional documentation requirements. Some states issue licenses regardless of immigration status, while others require lawful presence.
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