Telephone: (334) 832-9090
E-mail: usvisa@visaus.com

Alabama Department of Public Safety issues new rules
for foreign national driver's license applicants

760-X-1-.19  Requirement the social security number be divulged in order to obtain a driver license and non-driver identification card.

    (1)  All persons eligible for a social security number applying for a driver license shall be required to furnish to the Alabama Department of Public Safety their social security number in order to obtain an Alabama driver license except as provided in Paragraphs 4 and 5.
    (2)  The Department shall use such numbers for the purpose of administering the driver license laws of this state and for such other purposes as may be permitted under state and federal law.
    (3) The Department shall maintain the confidentiality of social security numbers obtained by it except to the extent the use of such numbers is permitted by state and federal law.
    (4) Foreign Nationals legally residing in the State of a period exceeding six months and who are not authorized a social security number are not required to provide a social security number prior to making application for a driver license or non-driver identification card.  Proof of Authorized Presence, as defined in 760-X-1-.20, in the United States for a period exceeding six months from the date of application for a driver license shall be provided by the applicant to the Department at the time of application.
    (5) United States citizens who, based upon sincere, well established religious objections, do not have a social security number assigned to them, must provide verifiable proof from the Social Security Administration that a social security number has never been assigned to them.

760-X-1-.20  Authorized Presence.

    All applicants for an original Alabama driver license or identification card must submit proof of authorized presence in the United States as Authorized under federal law.  This will help to safeguard the accuracy and integrity of Department of Public Safety documents and reduce the high cost of [sic] involved as a result of using fraudulent identification in obtaining goods and services.
    (1)  Identification Requirements.  Applicants for an Alabama Driver License or Identification card must:
    (a)  Present two (2) forms of identification, at least one of which contains a photograph, (one form must be from the "Primary Listing")

    Acceptable Documentation for Proof of Name, Date of Birth, and Authorized Presence

    Documents Must be Original or Copies Certified by Issuing Agency

    Unless otherwise noted, documents must be current or be of the type that does not expire.

    PRIMARY (May include date of birth)

    U.S. Birth Certificate** (Hospital record/certificate not acceptable)
    U.S. Passport*
    Alabama Identification Card License
    Driver License issued in the U.S.
    Certificate of Naturalization
    Certificate of Citizenship
    U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad
    Resident Alien Card
    Social Security Card***

    SECONDARY (May not include date of birth)

    International Driver License/Permit*
    Marriage License
    U.S. Armed Forces Driver
    U.S. Military DD-214
    Professional License
    Selective Service Card
    Veterans Administration Medical Insurance ID Card*
    School Identification (with photo)
    W-2 Tax Form
    Employment Authorization Card - with passport
    Passport with a valid visa authorizing presence in the country for a period exceeding six months (see 5(a) below for listing of visa classifications acceptable for consideration)
    Documents from Court of Record
    Divorce Decree
    Adoption Decree
    Name Change Decree
    Bankruptcy Decree

* Not expired
** Required for all 15-year-old applicants under Title 32-6-8(b)
*** Required of all applicants who have been assigned and/or are eligible for the assignment of a social security number by the Social Security Administration.  For citizens of the United States who, based upon sincere, well-established religious objections, do not have a social security number assigned to them, must provide, along with other docouments evidencing identification of the applicant, verifiable proof from the Social Security Administration that a social security number has never been assigned to them.  For foreign nationals whose legal presence in the United States extends beyond six months from the date of appication for a driver's license and who produce verifiable proof from the Social Security Administration that they are ineligible for the assignment of a social security number, see paragraph five (5) below.  This exception to the social security number requirement is inapplicable to the issuance of Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL).  Information required for the issuance of Commercial Driver's Licenses is governed by the provisions of 32-6-49.1 et cet [sic], Code of Alabama 1975, as amended.

    (b) Present three (3) forms of non-photo identification (one form must be from the "Primary Listing").
    (2) In both sections, (a) and (b) above, one form of identification must be from the primary list and the other form(s) must be from either the primary or secondary lists.
    (3) In addition to the identification requirements above, an applicant who has been deported from the United States must present proof from the Immigration and Naturalization Service that their legal presence status has been restored.
    (4) Legal Date of Birth Requirements.  All applicants for any type of driver license or non-driver identification card must meet the age requirements relevant to the license or permit.
    (5) For the purposes of administering the licensing of non-work authorized foreign nationals applicants for an Alabama driver's license and non-driver identification cards, the Department of Public Safety presumes their status in the United States to be unauthorized until the applicant presents documents evidencing, to the satisfaction of the Department, that their presence in the United States is authorized.  License examiners may, in lieu of a social security number, consider a variety of documents in determining authorized presence.  Alternative documents include, but are not limited to, original or certified copies of one or more of the following list.  The list is not to be considered comprehensive, nor does production by the applicant of one or more of the following documents ensure the applicant will be processed for the issuance of an Alabama driver's license.  Applicants are further informed that verification of country or origin documents may require the assistance, including the translation of documents, of the applicant's home country consulate office.  The participation of the applicant's consulate office is the sole responsibility of the applicant and the Department of Public Safety shall not be responsible for the cost, if any, associated with such participation.
    A.  I-551 stamp in foreign passport, or
    B.  I-551 stamp on INS Form I-94, arrival-departure record,
    C.  Refugee, asylee, and parolee classifications only when accompanied by INS Form I-571, refugee travel document and INS Form I-512, parole letter accepted and IJO - asylum or cancellation of removal (immigration judge's order granting asylum or cancellation of removal certified by the clerk of the court),
    D.  Proof of non-immigration classification provided by the Department of Justice (INS Form I-94, arrival-departure record, not expired, with required supporting document(s),
    E.  United States Department of Defense Uniformed Services Identification Card along with international travel order (ITO) for international military student (IMS).
    (5A)  Acceptable visa classififcations for issuance of an Alabama driver's license:  "A", "E", "F", "J", "L", "M", "NATO", "O", "P", "R", and "TN"
    Note:  F-1 and M-1 visa holders must also provide a copy of INS Form I-20.  J-1 and J-2 visa holders must also provide a copy of Form IAP-66.

Questions and comments about these new rules may be directed to:
Alabama Department of Public Safety
P.O. Box 1511
Montgomery, AL  36102-1511
Telephone: (334) 242-4392

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