Thoughts on enhanced state id/driver license.

[new68 23]

Just saw online that you can get enhanced state id/driver license that could serve as proof of citizenship and good for land crossing. Has anyone gotten that in michigan? Any pros or cons? Do I just need to show the certificate of naturalization to do it? I'm just trying to figure out what order to do stuff in since once you apply for passport you don't have the original certificate of naturalization until they process it. Would like to update things that can be done just by showing the certificate before I sent in the passport application. Thank you.

[OldUser 9,852]

Your option is to get EDL or keep your DL and get passport card. I see no downsides to having yet another proof of citizenship.

[new68 23]

3 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Your option is to get EDL or keep your DL and get passport card. I see no downsides to having yet another proof of citizenship.

I am planning to get passport card too when I apply for passport. Just wanted to see if I can get enhanced state id/DL before that by just showing my certificate of naturalization. They don't keep the original certificate, do they? I know it's a silly question but since I'm required to send in the original for my passport application I wanted to be sure.

[OldUser 9,852]

Just now, new68 said:

I am planning to get passport card too when I apply for passport. Just wanted to see if I can get enhanced state id/DL before that by just showing my certificate of naturalization. They don't keep the original certificate, do they?

They shouldn't

[Magi Stark 70]

Get EVERYTHING! The advantage of an EDL is that it's one less thing to carry around on a daily basis. 

[JeanneAdil 7,078]

Real ID allows those without US passport to travel domestically (within the US) so u do not use Real ID to land cross to Canada or Mexico 

 

However the following applies for entering Canada, a foreign country

you must present US passport under USC Code 1185

 

Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport.

 

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1185&num=0&edition=prelim

 

[Crazy Cat 44,405]

49 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

Real ID allows those without US passport to travel domestically (within the US) so u do not use Real ID to land cross to Canada or Mexico 

 

However the following applies for entering Canada, a foreign country

you must present US passport under USC Code 1185

 

Except as otherwise provided by the President and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President may authorize and prescribe, it shall be unlawful for any citizen of the United States to depart from or enter, or attempt to depart from or enter, the United States unless he bears a valid United States passport.

 

https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1185&num=0&edition=prelim

 

https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they

"Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when crossing the U.S. border in a vehicle. They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive."

 

These are available in only a few states.

Edited July 12 by Crazy Cat

[JeanneAdil 7,078]

27 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they

"Enhanced Drivers Licenses (EDLs) are state-issued enhanced drivers licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when crossing the U.S. border in a vehicle. They are issued in a secure process, and include technology that makes travel easier. EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, in addition to serving as a permit to drive."

 

These are available in only a few states.

Homeland Security says US passport is needed 

https://www.dhs.gov/archive/real-id-public-faqs

 

Q: Can I use my REAL ID card to cross the border into Canada and Mexico and for international travel?

No.  REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.

 

 

[Crazy Cat 44,405]

15 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

Homeland Security says US passport is needed 

https://www.dhs.gov/archive/real-id-public-faqs

 

Q: Can I use my REAL ID card to cross the border into Canada and Mexico and for international travel?

No.  REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.

 

 

This is not JUST a real ID.  It is a special driver license issued in only a few states.......

Edited July 12 by Crazy Cat

[Crazy Cat 44,405]

https://www.canadaduientrylaw.com/enhanced-drivers-license.php

"Americans with an Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) or Enhanced Drivers License (EDL) from Washington State, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, New York, or Vermont can be allowed to travel to Canada without a Passport. "

[Magi Stark 70]

1 hour ago, Crazy Cat said:

https://www.canadaduientrylaw.com/enhanced-drivers-license.php

"Americans with an Enhanced Identification Card (EIC) or Enhanced Drivers License (EDL) from Washington State, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, New York, or Vermont can be allowed to travel to Canada without a Passport. "

MN here. Can confirm. Real ID is just a type of ID that meets minimum federal requirements of identification. Enhanced Driver's Licenses are a special type of ID that serve as proof of citizenship, and they qualify as being Real ID compliant.  EDLs can be used for land/sea crossings between the US - Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. 

[Scandi 4,299]

3 hours ago, JeanneAdil said:

Homeland Security says US passport is needed 

https://www.dhs.gov/archive/real-id-public-faqs

 

Q: Can I use my REAL ID card to cross the border into Canada and Mexico and for international travel?

No.  REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.

 

 

OP isn't asking about a Real ID though, but about an EDL. 

I have a Real ID but don't think California offers EDLs, otherwise I'd get one of those instead. 

[Kica 28]

On 7/12/2025 at 9:28 AM, new68 said:

Just saw online that you can get enhanced state id/driver license that could serve as proof of citizenship and good for land crossing. Has anyone gotten that in michigan? Any pros or cons? Do I just need to show the certificate of naturalization to do it? I'm just trying to figure out what order to do stuff in since once you apply for passport you don't have the original certificate of naturalization until they process it. Would like to update things that can be done just by showing the certificate before I sent in the passport application. Thank you.

I'm from MI, and I applied for the passport and passport card day after the ceremony. Got the passport in a two weeks and passport card a few days after. Still did not change DL because it is expiring in a year and I will change then. Went to Canada this weekend with the passport card no issues. 

[OldUser 9,852]

2 hours ago, Kica said:

I'm from MI, and I applied for the passport and passport card day after the ceremony. Got the passport in a two weeks and passport card a few days after. Still did not change DL because it is expiring in a year and I will change then. Went to Canada this weekend with the passport card no issues. 

Hi, is there any chance you can contribute to this thread about using passport card please?

 

 

[new68 23]

On 7/15/2025 at 8:57 AM, Kica said:

I'm from MI, and I applied for the passport and passport card day after the ceremony. Got the passport in a two weeks and passport card a few days after. Still did not change DL because it is expiring in a year and I will change then. Went to Canada this weekend with the passport card no issues. 

My ID will expire in 2029 so just wanted to get the Enhanced state id before I send in the application for passport. Planning to get passport card too. Basically applying for everything lol.