Out of State Driver's Licence at Interview

[Big Papa Zone 93]

OK, so I don't actually file the N-400 for quite a while yet, but looking ahead, I had a question that I wondered if anyone can help me with.

When I first moved to the U.S. I settled in Illinois. I now live in Missouri, and will do come filing time. Thing is, I haven't changed my IL licence for a MO one, and I've no intention of doing so if I can possibly avoid it (I have my reasons, don't need to bore anyone with them). Now the N-400 guidelines provided by USCIS state that you have to have lived in the state from which you're applying for naturalization for a least 3 months prior to doing so. No problem there - I'll have lived in MO for 2 years come filing time. What I'm wondering is this: is the interviewing officer gonna have an issue with the fact that I will be presenting an out-of-state licence, despite the fact that I've lived in MO for much longer than I should have done without swapping it over? Or is he/she really not gonna give a rat's ####### as long as it's valid, because he/she doesn't work for the DMV?

Just curious - thanks in advance!

[DC85 113]

I would like to ask you a question how are you gonna prove that you live in the address that you claim ?

may be you can show other proof and it would be acceptable.

but, you need to check your state law, I think all the states have a law that you need to carry their DL if you lived in that state for a certain time.

if there is such a law how are you going to explain your violation to the state law to the IO ?

may be he/she will tell that you don't have a good moral character !!

So, my advice is to go to the dmv and get your state DL

[Big Papa Zone 93]

"I would like to ask you a question how are you gonna prove that you live in the address that you claim ?

may be you can show other proof and it would be acceptable."

Good question - I was thinking a non-drivers I.D. card might do the trick?

"but, you need to check your state law, I think all the states have a law that you need to carry their DL if you lived in that state for a certain time."

Yes. Yes they do. And MO is no exception.

"if there is such a law how are you going to explain your violation to the state law to the IO ?"

I'm hoping he/she doesn't really care too much.

"may be he/she will tell that you don't have a good moral character !!"

DING DING DING!!!! We have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!! And that, my friend, is PRECISELY why I asked the question.

Anyone else been in the same boat?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Not the same boat but a story, my husband didn't want to change his license from Iowa to Texas when he moved (temporarily) to Texas for school. Unfortunately he was eventually forced to do so in order to gain employment (company specific reasons). His reasons for not wanting to change related to the price of car insurance/registration on his car if he were to change his license. He overcame that by having his dad (living in Iowa) title the vehicles in his name, and then when he (by then "we") returned to Iowa he re-registered them in his name. Don't know if you're doing it for a similar reason, but just telling you to show you there are other (legal) ways around it.

Unfortunately though, I agree with the above poster. I don't think it will be easy to prove you live there when your license is from another state. I also think they will decide that your complete disdain for the laws of your state excludes you from Naturalisation. You are blatantly breaking the law. Not their jurisdiction to fine you for, but within their jurisdiction to deny you for "poor moral character" (just like they won't get you into trouble with the IRS if you haven't filed taxes but won't let you naturalise if you haven't).

[BigDaddy28 228]

I don't know if this will help but when I had to do biometrics for AOS, I had an Ohio driver's license and I was living in Kentucky. Obviously the addresses where different from the letter of biometrics and the address in the license. The guy just checked my name and stamped my paper, He didn't even ask me why I didn't change my license to a Kentucky one. Honestly I don't think proving that you lived more than 3months in the district is the issue. The issue is whether the officer is going to give you a hard time on that. And that my friend depends on the officer.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I don't know if this will help but when I had to do biometrics for AOS, I had an Ohio driver's license and I was living in Kentucky. Obviously the addresses where different from the letter of biometrics and the address in the license. The guy just checked my name and stamped my paper, He didn't even ask me why I didn't change my license to a Kentucky one. Honestly I don't think proving that you lived more than 3months in the district is the issue. The issue is whether the officer is going to give you a hard time on that. And that my friend depends on the officer.

Biometrics and AOS are a completely different kettle of fish to naturalisation... as is the officer interviewing different from someone simply doing prints.

Edited August 7, 2013 by VanessaTony

[BigDaddy28 228]

Biometrics and AOS are a completely different kettle of fish to naturalisation... as is the officer interviewing different from someone simply doing prints.

I already know that it is a different thing. My point is it is up to the officer whether he should have a state ID from that state or not. That's all Im saying, Im not saying that naturalization is the same as AOS or ROC.

Maybe he should make an infopass and ask if they want an ID from that state or it doesn't matter.

Edited August 7, 2013 by silkafi88

[Big Papa Zone 93]

_{VanessaTony, it's slightly different in my case: let's just say that leaving my truck registered in Illinois avoids a rather large repair bill that I'd have to stump up for if I want to get it through the Missouri safety inspection (I should point out here that the vehicle is fundamentally safe - the damn rack & pinion's leaking and they want $1,500 for a new one). Also, the state of Illinois allows you to renew online, no questions asked, no medicals to undertake, every four years (provided you don't commit any moving violations) until you're in your 70's. And I like that. I like that a lot.}

_{But you know, compared to the price of getting derailed so close to the finish line, I guess I'll just suck it up.}

_{Thanks for your input, folks.}

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Throw some stop leak in and pass the inspection. $1500 seems a little high for a steering box you could probably get from a pick and pull for under $75.

[belinda63 3,031]

1. I don't think it will be an issue, I don't remember them even asking for a DL when my hubby went.

2. Let me scare you. In Kentucky (and maybe in your state) it is a Class A Misdemeanor to not update your address on your driver's license within 10 days of moving. If pulled over or for any other reason, it is discovered you have not done so they can arrest you and you could spend up to one year in jail.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

1. I don't think it will be an issue, I don't remember them even asking for a DL when my hubby went.

They specifically requested both my wife's and my state driver licence or ID card on the list of things to bring on the interview letter. The IO swiped both through a card reader. He didn't ask for anything else.

Edited August 7, 2013 by The Patriot

[VanessaTony 3,567]

1. I don't think it will be an issue, I don't remember them even asking for a DL when my hubby went.

I had my interview last month. it was specifically requested, as was my GC and passports

They specifically requested both my wife's and my state driver licence or ID card on the list of things to bring on the interview letter. The IO swiped both through a card reader. He didn't ask for anything else.

Mine wasn't swiped, but she did look at it and appeared to compare the street address to my form but I can't be sure really 'cause she didn't really tell me what she was doing with it...

Why were you in your wife's naturalisation interview? Or did your wife take it in?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I had my interview last month. it was specifically requested, as was my GC and passports

Mine wasn't swiped, but she did look at it and appeared to compare the street address to my form but I can't be sure really 'cause she didn't really tell me what she was doing with it...

Why were you in your wife's naturalisation interview? Or did your wife take it in?

I was with her in the waiting room. He told me to stay there, but asked for my DL. He gave it back to me when the interview was over.

[belinda63 3,031]

Wow, I didn't even go to hubby's interview but he didn't say anything about needing his dl. Guess you could always say you don't have one? and use a utility bill to verify your address?

[Calicolom 265]

When I was an Immigrant I had all my Papers correct at all times. Now that I am a U.S.C. I have all my papers correct at all the times. It seems you are also committing Insurance fraud, I know my Insurance Agent asks me where my vehicles are kept and if I live at this location. Do not forget if you make a wrong statement or you break any Insurance laws, at the time you become citizen, your citizenship can be taken away, even if it is many years later. Just for a lousy drivers license.