Filipino Drivers License ok for Washington State ???

[cjmc 10]

I am trying to find out if my fiancee can legally use her Filipino Drivers License in Washington State and for how long before needing to get the official WA State Lic.

cjmc

[Ryan H 3,796]

She has 30 days to obtain a WA license.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/moving.html

[cjmc 10]

She has 30 days to obtain a WA license.

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/moving.html

Hi Ryan- I have read that page before, but it also states that you have to establish residency and have a SSN....to apply. She cannot establish residency until we are married.

My question is can she legally drive with a Filipino Drivers License and for how long...she cannot even apply until she has established residency and that could happen as late as 90 days from when she arrived using the K1 Visa.

cjmc

[cjmc 10]

From the WA State Website it says the following:

If you’re from another country-

• If you’re visiting Washington State, you may use your out-of-country driver license for up to 1 year.

I guess that until she is actually married to me, she would be considered a visitor because she cannot legally stay in the US past 90 days until she is married to me.

Once we are married, that establishes residency and also then the requirement to get a WA State drivers Lic within 30 days.....

That's how I am reading this but just wanted to see if anyone else has been down this road.

Thanks,

cjmc

Edited August 9, 2013 by cjmc

[Hank_ 9,173]

Establishing residency is filing AOS.

If residency was as simple as getting married - there are 20 million illegals that want to know that trick.

In Arizona, DMV required my wife have her EAD or green card, and the expiration on her license is the same date as on her green card.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Hank_

[Tahoma 2,291]

She does not have to be married to you in order to be considered a resident: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.20.021

She simply has to declare her intent to become a resident. The day she arrives in Washington is the day she intends to become a resident. Therefore, her Philippines driver license is good for 30 days from the date she arrives in Washington. After that, she can use her Washington State driver license.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

State residency is not the same as having a green card. Each state has their own standards. However, as soon as she arrives in the state of Washington with the intention to live there, she becomes a resident of the state of Washington as far as the DMV is concerned. She is eligible for a SSN as soon a she arrives in the US. Most states support the REAL ID Act, so she will probably not be able to obtain a driver license until she at least has an EAD in hand. So, if it's thirty days, that's it until she gets her EAD or green card, unless the state of Washington will issue her a temporary license.

[Tahoma 2,291]

Establishing residency is filing AOS.

If residency was as simple as getting married - there are 20 million illegals that want to know that trick.

In Arizona, DMV required my wife have her EAD or green card, and the expiration on her license is the same date as on her green card.

She doesn't have to have filed for AOS in order to establish residency in Washington State or to get a driver license. And it's not as simple as getting married either. All of the requirements are clearly spelled out on the Washington State DOL website.

[Tahoma 2,291]

State residency is not the same as having a green card. Each state has their own standards. However, as soon as she arrives in the state of Washington with the intention to live there, she becomes a resident of the state of Washington as far as the DMV is concerned. She is eligible for a SSN as soon a she arrives in the US. Most states support the REAL ID Act, so she will probably not be able to obtain a driver license until she at least has an EAD in hand. So, if it's thirty days, that's it until she gets her EAD or green card, unless the state of Washington will issue her a temporary license.

She doesn't need an EAD or a green card.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

From my experience in AK... I would apply for her SSN as soon after she arrives as possible. As in the next day, if you can. While waiting, study for and take the written exam. As SOON as you get her SSN, go get her permit/license.

Why the rush?

Once her I-94 expires, she is OUT OF STATUS, and many states will not allow a foreigner to get a license until you have a NOA from your AOS process, or even the GC itself. Doesn't matter if you are married already, and doesn't matter that USCIS told the DMV that my wife was legal to be here, that OUT OF STATUS can stay in the US indefinitely. The DMV would not budge, and we had to wait even longer for her to get her permit and drive.

Bear in mind, this was our experience in AK, not WA. But it's something I would ask the DMV about now if you want to make sure. As long as she has her SSN and I-94 is still within the 90-day window, she should be good to go. At day 91, AK refused to give her a permit or state ID until she had her GC, which they later conceded that her AOS I-797 was proof enough. And I did not just stay local with this, I went all the way to the head of the DMV at the state capitol.

Edited August 9, 2013 by DavenRoxy

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

She doesn't need an EAD or a green card.

Not at the moment. They will starting December 2014.

http://www.leg.wa.gov/JTC/Meetings/Documents/Agendas/2012%20Agendas/JTC_072512/DOL_RealID.pdf

Edited August 9, 2013 by The Patriot

[cjmc 10]

She does not have to be married to you in order to be considered a resident: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.20.021

She simply has to declare her intent to become a resident. The day she arrives in Washington is the day she intends to become a resident. Therefore, her Philippines driver license is good for 30 days from the date she arrives in Washington. After that, she can use her Washington State driver license.

Wow !!! If this is all true.......that is a pretty tight window of time to deal with to be able to legally drive after 30 days of setting foot on WA State soil...

Land at SeaTac....establish residency, get a SS number, get ready for the drivers test and then take the test, all in 30 days....again, WoW !!!

cjmc

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Don't forget to check with your insurance company as well.

[cjmc 10]

Don't forget to check with your insurance company as well.

I have done that already, and they said....We can add her to your policy anytime....she just needs to be able to legally drive in the State of WA...it is up to you to figure that out....

cjmc

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

"Check with"? You mean add her as a driver on the policy, right?