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Acceptable documents for proof of citizenship or legal status in the United States (U.S.)

When applying for an original (first) Wisconsin instruction permit, driver license or identification card, you must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, legal conditional resident status or legal presence in the U.S.

When applying for any other Wisconsin instruction permit, driver license or identification card, you must provide proof of legal presence if you are a:

• U.S. Citizen without a valid Social Security Number on file.
• Permanent or conditional resident.
• Temporary non-immigrant visitor.

Documents presented as proof must be original. Photocopies are not acceptable.

The following documents are acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, legal permanent resident status, legal conditional resident status or legal presence in the U.S.:

• U.S. state or local government-issued certificate of birth (certified copy - birth registration and hospital certificates are not acceptable). In line with Puerto Rico's law, as of October 31, 2010, Wisconsin will not accept any Puerto Rican birth certificate certified before July 1, 2010. More information at www.pr.gov.
• Valid U.S. passport.
• Valid foreign passport with appropriate immigration documents, which shall include or be accompanied by federal form I-94, arrival and departure record. NOTE: The appropriate immigration documents determine legal presence, not the passport itself.
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (federal form N-560 or N-561).
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization (federal form N-550 or N-570).
• Valid Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) federal form I-551, resident alien registration receipt card, issued since 1997. NOTE: Non-expiring I-551 documents issued from 1977 to 1989 are acceptable.
• Valid DHS/USCIS federal form I-688, temporary resident identification card.
• Valid DHS/USCIS federal form I-688B or I-766, employment authorization document.
• Valid DHS/USCIS federal form I-571, refugee travel document.
• DHS/USCIS federal form I-797, notice of action.*
• DHS/Transportation Security Administration (TSA) transportation worker identification credential.
• U.S. Department of State reception and placement program assurance form (refugee version), which shall include or be accompanied by federal form I-94, arrival and departure record.
• Documentary proof specified in s. 343.14(2)(er), Stats., that is approved by the appropriate federal authority.
  • Valid foreign passport containing a valid non-immigrant visa and I-94, arrival and departure record
  • Valid foreign passport containing an expired non-immigrant visa and I-94, arrival and departure record
  • Pending or approved application for asylum in the United States
  • Valid re-entry into the United States in refugee status I-327 or I-571
  • Pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States
  • Approved deferred action status or a pending application for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident status or conditional resident status*

Documents with a photograph of a person will be accepted only when the person is readily recognizable from the photograph.

The department will decline to accept any document presented if it has reason to suspect the authenticity of the document. Questionable documents may require additional review.

• 1 year with at least 6 months remaining (for a driver license)
• 6 months with at least 3 months remaining (for an ID card)

*Document must provide conclusive proof of legal presence.

Questions? Contact us: Wisconsin DMV email service
Call: (608) 266-2353

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Last modified: August 30, 2011
BDS/DIS