Do I need a driver’s license for the state I reside in when doing the interviews?

[bayharborbutch 0]

I moved from California to Washington (a week ago) and have a California driver’s license. I’ll apply for the N-400 once eligible in 90 days.

 

At biometrics and interview will the officer/anyone care if I show them my California driver’s license that has an old address on it?

 

The reason I am avoiding getting a new license is that I am not keeping a car in Washington and won’t need car insurance either so I don’t really see the point in getting a new one. Another reason is that regarding my current employment situation I might only be in WA for a year and then move back to CA so switching licenses twice seems annoying.

 

I will get a new license if people feel like the officer might think I am not following residency requirements for some reason (don’t want to risk getting rejected for any reason). Has anybody ever passed the oath interview with a license from another state? I know WA has a rule that you need to get a license within 30 days of moving, but I imagine typically most people have cars/insurance who it is really important for.

 

P.S. Is the driver’s license even required? Can I just show my passport for identification?

[SleepyPanda 10]

This is a good question.. I am in a similar situation...

 

[JFH 12,190]

You have to have a local ID. If you move to WA you need a WA ID, even if you don’t drive. Your California license won’t be valid ID here because you won’t be a resident of California. 

[gnakr 43]

1 hour ago, JFH said:

You have to have a local ID. If you move to WA you need a WA ID, even if you don’t drive. Your California license won’t be valid ID here because you won’t be a resident of California. 

Are you sure about this? The only requirement is that you have to be a resident of the state which you apply for at least 3 months. There seems to be no known requirement for residency before doing the interview. As long as you have sufficient evidence of having continuously resided in the place at the time of application.

 

As for OP, all of the reasons you listed are mainly minor inconveniences. If you don't want a license, at least get a State-ID card. There is a chance which you may need to drive, so just get a license. If I were in your shoes, I'd just get a new license.

[Hypnos 6,576]

USCIS will usually ask for a state ID at the beginning of your naturalisation interview, and will expect to see your normal residence listed on it.

[SleepyPanda 10]

10 hours ago, JFH said:

You have to have a local ID. If you move to WA you need a WA ID, even if you don’t drive. Your California license won’t be valid ID here because you won’t be a resident of California. 

I think it varies state to state.

For example in Texas, you can reside here on an out of state license/ID until it expires and then you will need to get a Texas ID or driver's license.

I learned this on their website:

https://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/id-cards.php

[Crazy Cat 41,979]

15 minutes ago, SleepyPanda said:

I think it varies state to state.

For example in Texas, you can reside here on an out of state license/ID until it expires and then you will need to get a Texas ID or driver's license.

I learned this on their website:

https://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/id-cards.php

That is not correct.  In Texas, you can drive on an out-of-state license for up to 90 after moving to Texas.  Please see the OFFICIAL Texas DPS site at https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/movingtotexas.htm . 

The site you listed is not an official Texas government web site for state requirements.

Edited July 11, 2018 by missileman

[Jamaican_Gooner 36]

my $0.02 you need a local ID, it doesn't have to be a driver's license but you need to show a photo ID that shows that you live in their jurisdiction

[RoadHome 0]

Based on my recent N-400 interview process, you do not. For my biometrics appointment I presented my passport as id and that was accepted. For my interview, I was only asked to bring the appointment notice, green card, passports, and original copies of the evidence I submitted. I was never asked for a state id. The appointment letter itself makes no such mention of it. The biometrics appointment letter did as an accepted form of id, howerver it was not the only option. I would advise you not to present your current id as it might cause unnecessary confusion requiring explanation. Your passport will suffice. I applied in FL but still have a valid NH driver's license. I'll be getting a FL one now that my naturalization is complete.

I think the fact that my all evidence pointed to my current FL address (most important of which were my tax returns) was enough to prove residency in that district.

Beat of luck!

[SleepyPanda 10]

22 minutes ago, RoadHome said:

Based on my recent N-400 interview process, you do not. For my biometrics appointment I presented my passport as id and that was accepted. For my interview, I was only asked to bring the appointment notice, green card, passports, and original copies of the evidence I submitted. I was never asked for a state id. The appointment letter itself makes no such mention of it. The biometrics appointment letter did as an accepted form of id, howerver it was not the only option. I would advise you not to present your current id as it might cause unnecessary confusion requiring explanation. Your passport will suffice. I applied in FL but still have a valid NH driver's license. I'll be getting a FL one now that my naturalization is complete.

I think the fact that my all evidence pointed to my current FL address (most important of which were my tax returns) was enough to prove residency in that district.

Beat of luck!

Sage advice for the OP.

 

I personally went ahead and switched my driver's license to my current state so that if I had to present it to the IO, it would match my current residence. I read several interview recaps where the IO will as for a DL but maybe you can present a different document for ID.

Edited July 24, 2018 by SleepyPanda

[ohman 5]

We went through the entire process, oath ceremony tomorrow, with no ID of any kind except the green card. No state ID or driver's license.