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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVRL Hawaii's Legal Presence Law About Hawaii's Legal Presence Law Introduction Effective March 5, 2012, anyone applying for an original or renewal of their Hawaii driver's license or permit must show proof of legal presence in the U.S. Legal presence means that a person is either a U.S. citizen or is legally authorized to be in the U.S. Act 38, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, prohibits the issuance of a Hawaii driver’s license to any person that is not legally in the United States and limits the term of the issued licenses only for the period that the applicant is temporarily authorized to be in the United States. Legal Presence Affects Everyone Legal presence requirements affect anyone applying for a Hawaii driver’s license, including U.S. citizens and foreign-born applicants, those applying for a learner's permit, and permit holders passing their road test to obtain a driver's license. Legal presence also applies to anyone who has just moved to Hawaii from another state or country, and anyone renewing their Hawaii driver’s license or permit. Proof of legal presence will be required from: Applicants applying for an original Hawaii driver's license. Anyone who has never  held or is re-applying for a Hawaii driver's license must provide proof of legal presence in the U.S. Applicants renewing their Hawaii driver's license. Anyone who renews their Hawaii  driver's license must provide proof of legal presence in the U.S. Applicants who are U.S. citizens and aliens admitted for permanent residence status in the U.S. will need to provide proof of legal presence documents every second renewal. Drivers reinstating their driving privilege because of a license revocation or  cancellation. Customers whose license or permit to drive has been revoked or cancelled must provide proof of legal presence in the U.S. Drivers who have allowed their license to expire. Anyone who lets his driver's license  expire, even by just one day, must provide proof of legal presence in the U.S Permit holders when they pass their road test and obtain a Hawaii driver’s  license. All permit holders must provide proof of legal presence in the U.S. Drivers converting their Hawaii provisional driver’s license to a full driver’s  license. All license holders who convert from a provisional to a full license must provide proof of legal presence in the U.S. Proof of legal presence will NOT be required from: Applicants applying for a duplicate Hawaii driver’s license or permit.  Temporary Legal Length of Stay - Limited Duration Driver’s Licenses or Permits  Persons who are authorized by the federal government to be present temporarily in the U.S. will be issued limited duration driver's licenses or permits. Obtaining a Hawaii Driver’s License under Hawaii’s New Legal Presence Requirements: Beginning March 5, 2012, each individual applying for an initial Hawaii driver's license or permit will be required to provide proof of: Identity  Legal presence  Social security number  Proof documents to verify legal presence include U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport. Foreign born applicants may provide other documents, such as a Certificate of Citizenship or naturalization, Resident Alien Card, or a valid foreign passport with a visa and I-94. Documents presented for proof of identity, legal presence or social security number must be valid originals or certified copies. Photo copies or fax copies of proof documents are not acceptable. For a complete listing of acceptable documents for proof of identity, legal presences, and social security number, refer to the List of Acceptable Documents -- Hawaii Driver's License below. Validity of a Hawaii Driver’s License for individuals temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. The driver's license of individuals temporarily authorized to be in the United States will be valid for their verified length of legal stay up to the maximum period pursuant to state law. If the expiration date shown on the document used to prove legal presence can not be verified electronically or through other approved means, the driver’s license will expire one year from the date of issuance. Validity of a Hawaii Instruction Permit An instruction permit will be valid only for the amount of time that an individual is legally present in the U.S. up to a maximum of one year. Renewal by Mail Individuals temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. are not eligible to renew by mail and must renew in person. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS- LEGAL PRESENCE I am temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. how often will I have to present my proof of legal presence? Applicants who are temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. are required to present proof of legal presence when applying for an initial or renewal of a Hawaii driver license or permit. I am temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. Can I renew my driver’s license or permit by mail? No. You must renew in person and present proof of legal presence. Once legal presence is established will I need to provide the documents again at the time of my next renewal? Applicants who are temporarily authorized to be in the U.S. are required to present proof of legal presence when applying for an initial or renewal driver license or permit. Applicants who are U.S. citizens and aliens admitted for permanent residence status in the U.S. will not need to provide the legal presence documents until their second renewal. I lost my Hawaii driver’s license and I would like to apply for a duplicate. Am I required to present proof of legal presence? No. Proof of legal presence is not required when applying for a duplicate driver’s license. Can I mail in my legal presence documents so they can be reviewed and approved prior to renewal of my Hawaii driver’s license? No, customers may not mail documents to the DMV for review. Proof of legal presence is required at the time of renewal application. Those wishing to renew their driver’s license by mail will be provided renewal instructions. I will be renewing my Hawaii driver’s license soon. I was born at home and do not have a birth certificate. I have no living relative to confirm who I am. Can I provide something else? Proof of legal presence must be established in order to process your driver license renewal application. A Hawaii driver’s license may be renewed as early as six months before its expiration date. Therefore, we recommend that you give yourself sufficient time to renew within the six month period before your license expires. There are other legal documents you may have that the DMV may accept in lieu of your birth certificate. For further information, please visit the appropriate county website where you intend to renew your license or call for further assistance. County of Hawaii: 808-961-2222 City & County of Honolulu: 808 532-7730 County of Kauai: 808 241-4242 County of Maui: 808 270-7363 My Hawaii birth certificate shows my birth name and my license is in my married name. Am I required to present additional proof of legal presence? Yes. You will need to present your certificate of marriage and your Hawaii birth certificate. Your Hawaii birth certificate will prove your legal presence, and your certificate of marriage will establish your name change from your birth name to your married name which appears on our driver’s license. If the documents I submit at the time of renewal are not acceptable, will you provide me with more information on other forms that you will accept? Yes. Your County DMV staff will do their best to assist you through this new process. I currently have a valid Hawaii instruction permit. Will I need to present proof of legal presence when I pass my road test? Yes. Since the road test is part of the application process for an original Hawaii driver’s license, all instruction permit holders will be required to present proof of legal presence before the original license can be issued. What documents are considered legal and admissible? Documents presented for proof of identity, legal presence, and social security number must be valid originals or certified copies. Photo copies or fax copies of proof documents are not acceptable. Please refer to the List of Acceptable Documents -- Hawaii Driver's License below. My father was in the military and I was born out of country. I lost my documents verifying birth abroad and do not have a U S passport, what can I bring in to prove I am a US citizen and to prove my identity? Please refer to the List of Acceptable Documents -- Hawaii Driver's License below. My documents are very old, delicate, and difficult to read. Should I still bring it in to prove my identity? Yes, present the documents you have. Your DMV representative will carefully review your documents to determine acceptability and provide you with further assistance. My birth certificate was obtained the year after I was born, is it acceptable as proof of identification? State certified birth certificates are accepted as proof of identification. I want to submit my State certified birth certificate for proof of legal presence. The names on social security card and my out of state driver’s license match. The name on my State certified birth certificate is different from the name on my driver’s license. Will this be sufficient? The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the document you present for proof of legal presence. In this scenario, you will be required to present proof of name change from your birth name to the name on your driver’s license. Immigration has acknowledged receipt of my application. I am still waiting for my immigration documents to be processed. How will my pending status affect my eligibility to obtain a driver’s license? Your DMV representative can review your documents and can provide you with further assistance. I was born in a foreign country and am adopted by my parents who are U.S. citizens. What documents do I need to prove legal status in order to obtain a driver license? You will need to provide your adoption documents and your parents’ proof of citizenship. Will I qualify for a Hawaii drivers license a day before the expiration of my legal status? Yes. However, the expiration date of your Hawaii driver’s license will be based on the expiration of your legal stay. I was born in a foreign country and am currently a member of the U.S. military. Will my U.S. military ID be acceptable for legal presence? Yes. A valid U.S. military I.D. card is acceptable proof of legal presence. I am a dependant of a member of the U.S. military. Will my U.S. military ID be acceptable for legal presence? Yes. A valid U.S. military I.D. card is acceptable proof of legal presence. I am a retiree from the U.S. military. Will my U.S. military ID be acceptable for legal presence? Yes. A valid U.S. military I.D. card is acceptable proof of legal presence. I am a foreign born applicant holding a valid Hawaii driver license. I also own a business in the U.S. (mainland). Can I renew my driver license by mail? No. You must renew in person and present proof of legal presence. List of Acceptable Documents -- Hawaii Driver's License Documents presented for proof must be valid originals or certified copies. Photo copies or faxes are not acceptable as proof. Legal Social Date of Legal Document Description 1 Security 3 Name BirthPresence 4 Number U.S. State, Local Government-issued Certificate of Birth    U.S. Government-issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad   Valid U.S. Passport   Valid Foreign Passport with Appropriate Immigration Document(s)   2 Certificate of Citizenship (N560)    Certificate of Naturalization (N550)    Valid U.S. Jurisdiction-issued DL/ID/Photo Learner’s Permit (Photo  Learner’s Permit must include signature) Valid U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military ID Card (DOD ID    DD-2) Valid DOD Common Access Card (CAC) (Card must contain photo,   name, DOB, branch of service and military status.) Valid U.S. Uniform Services ID and Privileges Card (DD1173)  Social Security Card  Valid DHS/USCIS I-551 Resident Alien Card issued since 1997.   Valid DHS/USCIS I-688 Temporary Resident Identification Card    Valid DHS/USCIS I-688B, I-766 Employment Authorization Card    Valid DHS/USCIS I-571 Refugee Travel Document  DHS/USCIS I-797 Notice of Action  Valid DHS/TSA Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)   Court Order for Name Change/Gender Change/ Adoption/Divorce – no  others (Legal Name / DOB / Court Seal required to accept the order) Marriage Certificate (Government Issued)  U.S. Department of Receptions and Placement Program Assurance Form  (Refugee) 1 Different name on resource items will require the applicant to provide various items from the list and may result in an exception procedure. 2 The appropriate immigration document(s) determine legal presence. Not the passport itself. Acceptable Documents for Proof of Name and Birth Date: Including 18 years old 3 1. U.S. Territorial Driver's License (expired/valid with photo). 2. U.S. Passport only. 3. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Document/Card. 4. Alien Registration/Refugee ID Card. 5. State of Hawaii ID Card w/photo. 6. Military Documents: Consular Report of Birth and U.S. Military issued Certificate of Birth (SF-240/SF-545). 7. State Certified Birth Certificate with both parents listed or State Certified Birth ID Card. 1.State Certified Birth Certificate with both parents listed or State Certified Birth ID Card. 2. Another state’s valid, unexpired driver license or state issued identification card. 3. U.S. Territorial Driver's License. 4. State of Hawaii ID Card w/photo. 5. Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport. 6. Military Documents: ID Card and U.S. Military issued Certificate of Birth. 7. Consular Report of Birth Abroad. 8. Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card. 9. Unexpired employment authorization document. 10. Unexpired foreign passport with a valid unexpired U.S. visa affixed accompanied by the approved I-94 form. 11. Certificate of Naturalization 12. Certificate of Citizenship Acceptable Documents for Proof of Social Security Number 4 1. Original Social Security Card (no copies or metal plates). 2. Driver's License w/Social Security Number and photo. 3. State of Hawaii ID Card w/photo. 4. Military Documents: ID Card or DD-214, provided SSN printed on the card. 5. Medicaid ID Card (Suffix A only – indicates SSN for person named on card). 6. Income Tax Return Form W-2. 7. SA-1099 form, from a previous year Contact numbers and websites to obtain necessary documents: Social Security Cards http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/ Telephone # 1-800-772-1213 Certified Copies of Birth, Marriage and Divorce Certificates* http://hawaii.gov/health/vital-records/vital-records/vital_records.html Telephone (808) 586-4539 or (808) 586-4542 during regular business hours *The following note regarding divorce records is contained in the above website: The Office of Health Status Monitoring only has divorce records from July 1951 to December 2002. All other divorce records are kept in the court where the divorce took place.