First US passport.

[FROWNcat 24]

The DMV told me I did not have to renew my ID or change anything until it expires, it still says I’m not a citizen in the back of it but they told me it doesn’t make a difference but to bring my naturalization paper once I renew it in a couple of years.

 

I have an appointment to apply for my passport this week and I’m trying to figure out if $35 processing fee is paid on the spot to USPS or if I have to include that amount to the check on sending out with the application.

 

Do I need the form filled out, passport pic, naturalization document with a copy and copy of front and back of my ID? Do you need to show your SSN matches? My SSN card was updated the same month I became a US citizen but no one told me anything about my driver’s license. I guess I can make a copy of my driver’s license as well for them. 
 

Trying to figure out what I’m missing and if I’ll get a tracking number for the passport AND documents being returned to me if I use standard shipping or does everything just show up to my door weeks apart?

[Crazy Cat 44,068]

I would make the DMV issue a new driver's license with your PROPER citizenship status on it.  In Texas, you can't make an address change online unless you are a US citizen.  I would insist they change your status to US citizen in the California database,

Edited May 19 by Crazy Cat

[OldUser 9,419]

53 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

I would make the DMV issue a new driver's license with your PROPER citizenship status on it.  

This does not apply to many states. But certainly good thing to do for Texans

[Crazy Cat 44,068]

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

This does not apply to many states. But certainly good thing to do for Texans

To my knowledge, Citizenship status is not indicated on a Texas DL.  However, OP said about the California ID,  " it still says I’m not a citizen in the back of it but they told me it doesn’t make a difference".  I would want my state ID to accurately reflect citizenship status.

[OldUser 9,419]

1 hour ago, FROWNcat said:

 

I have an appointment to apply for my passport this week and I’m trying to figure out if $35 processing fee is paid on the spot to USPS or if I have to include that amount to the check on sending out with the application.

 

 

Yes, $35 is paid on spot. I paid with credit card at USPS.

 

More on fees here:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html

 

 

 

[FROWNcat 24]

11 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

To my knowledge, Citizenship status is not indicated on a Texas DL.  However, OP said about the California ID,  " it still says I’m not a citizen in the back of it but they told me it doesn’t make a difference".  I would want my state ID to accurately reflect citizenship status.

I’m in Ohio.

[OldUser 9,419]

14 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

To my knowledge, Citizenship status is not indicated on a Texas DL.  However, OP said about the California ID,  " it still says I’m not a citizen in the back of it but they told me it doesn’t make a difference".  I would want my state ID to accurately reflect citizenship status.

I have DL from California. Nowhere on the front or back of it lists citizenship status. It looks identical from the time I was on work visa until now (last time renewed as LPR). AFAIK it looks the same even for undocumented.

 

If "in the back of it" is SAVE database, then common way to update it (if I'm correct) is through visit to SSA which I described here:

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/830870-updating-citizenship-status-with-ssa-in-2025/

 

 

 

[Crazy Cat 44,068]

12 minutes ago, FROWNcat said:

I’m in Ohio.

Thanks.  Your Ohio ID shows citizenship status?

[OldUser 9,419]

5 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Thanks.  Your Ohio ID shows citizenship status?

Found it...

 

"Ohio has begun placing “noncitizen” labels on the driver’s licenses and state IDs of those who lack citizenship — a move that may be the first in the nation."

 

 

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2023/04/13/ohio-driver-licenses-now-have-noncitizen-notations-per-election-law/70104226007/

 

Yeah... This one I'd push back and try to renew with BMV. Maybe speak to different employee or manager. If you became a citizen, DL shouldn't say "NONCITIZEN". 

Edited May 19 by OldUser

[OldUser 9,419]

1 hour ago, FROWNcat said:

The DMV

You mean BMV, right? Because there's no DMV in Ohio as per my search.

[Crazy Cat 44,068]

11 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Yeah... This one I'd push back and try to renew with BMV.

Nice research!!  I agree.  I'd get that changed, if possible.

[FROWNcat 24]

10 minutes ago, OldUser said:

You mean BMV, right? Because there's no DMV in Ohio as per my search.

You are correct. I misspelled that.

[WeekendPizzaiolo 84]

3 hours ago, FROWNcat said:

The DMV told me I did not have to renew my ID or change anything until it expires, it still says I’m not a citizen in the back of it but they told me it doesn’t make a difference but to bring my naturalization paper once I renew it in a couple of years.

Sigh. I have dealt with this DMV before when I was trying to upgrade to a REAL ID as a US citizen. I would definitely try a different, more helpful employee or go to a different office. It increases the amount of work the employee needs to do. Persistence helps in these situations.

 

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

I have DL from California. Nowhere on the front or back of it lists citizenship status. It looks identical from the time I was on work visa until now (last time renewed as LPR). AFAIK it looks the same even for undocumented.

 

If "in the back of it" is SAVE database, then common way to update it (if I'm correct) is through visit to SSA which I described here:

 

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/830870-updating-citizenship-status-with-ssa-in-2025/

Except an AB 60 license is issued if a hypothetical person were undocumented, which can't be used for federal purposes including flying, and state law prohibits use of AB 60 data by CA Secretary of State (CA 2265(d)). To receive a REAL ID, lawful presence documents must be presented to the DMV for verification (see here). USCIS is used to verify legal status for California REAL IDs according to the DMV FAQ:

 

Quote

When you start your DL/ID card application, DMV electronically verifies your BD/LP document information with USCIS. If your BD/LP document cannot be verified electronically, DMV makes a photocopy of the document and sends it to USCIS for verification (secondary verification).

If a secondary BD/LP document verification is necessary, DMV will issue you a temporary DL after you pass all the required tests. If the verification takes longer than 75 days, DMV will send you a letter telling you what is needed to complete the verification process and how to complete your application.

My spouse tried upgrading to a driver's license after passing the driving test and received an AB 60 license despite presenting an unexpired green card. We only found out when the card arrived in the mail. Now, we need to go back to the DMV to convert the ID to a REAL ID.

 

[OldUser 9,419]

26 minutes ago, WeekendPizzaiolo said:

Sigh. I have dealt with this DMV before when I was trying to upgrade to a REAL ID as a US citizen. I would definitely try a different, more helpful employee or go to a different office. It increases the amount of work the employee needs to do. Persistence helps in these situations.

Sorry you had to go through this.

I had no issue whatsoever applying for Real ID on work visa (not even as LPR). I'm in California too.

Edited May 20 by OldUser

[OldUser 9,419]

20 minutes ago, WeekendPizzaiolo said:

 

Except an AB 60 license is issued if a hypothetical person were undocumented, which can't be used for federal purposes including flying, and state law prohibits use of AB 60 data by CA Secretary of State (CA 2265(d)). To receive a REAL ID, lawful presence documents must be presented to the DMV for verification (see here). USCIS is used to verify legal status for California REAL IDs according to the DMV FAQ:

 

My spouse tried upgrading to a driver's license after passing the driving test and received an AB 60 license despite presenting an unexpired green card. We only found out when the card arrived in the mail. Now, we need to go back to the DMV to convert the ID to a REAL ID.

 

Very good point. Correction after checking wallet with old IDs. I did have regular DL when I was on work visa. But once I became conditional LPR, I applied for Real ID and have been applying for Real IDs since then. Thankfully, never had any issues getting it.