Renewing Driver's License with extension letter-

[Kathryn41 3,205]

My green card expires the last week of May and I will be filing to remove conditions on my greencard the last week of February. My driver's license expires on my birthday in June. Has anyone here been successful in obtaining a renewal Georgia Driver's License with the expired green card and the extension letter? If yes, which office did you use? If no, which office did you use, and did you then request the I-551 stamp in your passport from USCIS? (Georgia lists the I-551 stamp but not the extension letter as valid immigration documentation).

I am concerned about not being able to drive if they do not accept the letter and the 10 year card takes its time getting approved. We are out in the suburbs and my husband is out of the house from 7 am to 7 pm so I would have no way to get groceries, go to work, or make appointments. My passport is currently being renewed as it expires in April, and I hope at least to have my new passport before my DL expires in case I am able to get the I-551 stamp.

Thanks for your help.

[YuAndDan 153]

If the DMV rejects the letter, schedule an info pass and have USCIS explain this to them and they should stamp your passport with I-551 stamp.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks, YuAndDan, That is what I am hoping to be able to do. I am just trying to be pro-active so I can stop worrying about having to have an info pass without a DL to get there, or having to fight with Immigration to get the I-551 stamp because the State is 'supposed' to accept the letter. I hope that someone has had success at one of the offices and if so, then I can go to that office to renew my DL.

[Dr. ZoSo 0]

Take it from me, the Georgia DMV will not accept the extension letter alone as evidence. my thoughts to you, renew your license before your two year green card expires. I believe (but don't quote me on this) you can renew your license up to 60 days prior to your expiration date.

If that doesn't work simply make an info Pass and ask for an extension. My wife and I just did this about 3 weeks ago. The USCIS would not give her a 1 year extension stamp, but they did give her a 6 month stamp so she could renew hr license for 6 more months while we are waiting for her 10 year card.

If the USCIS gives you any trouble about getting a stamp just show them your green card (they will ask for it anyway) and then your license.

Let us know what happens.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks. Yes, I was planning to go in about a month before it expires and now I'll do it while the green card is still active and see what happens. If all else fails, then I can follow your route and go get a 6 month stamp. Too bad the State governments and the Federal governments can learn to work together!

[pars3221 0]

My Wife's Card expired on the 8th and we went on the 6th with the extension letter and there was no problem renewing the license. The only down fall is it was only renewed for one year, which means we have to come back next year and get it renewed again. But no hassles and no issues

[Dr. ZoSo 0]

My Wife's Card expired on the 8th and we went on the 6th with the extension letter and there was no problem renewing the license. The only down fall is it was only renewed for one year, which means we have to come back next year and get it renewed again. But no hassles and no issues

Your green card was still valid. That's why you had no problems.

[RichardS 0]

Hey ..

I am kinda' in the same boat.

My wife's GC expires Jan 30 but she has her 1 year extention letter. We were planning to go to the Atlanta DMV and get her a license on Feb 15 but the real question is WILL THEY ACCEPT THE LETTER AND THE EXPIRED GC?

Looks like the answer maybe NO from the responses posted here!! What's a poor husband to do?

Maybe the Infopass appt for the I-551 stamp is the answer and maybe not???

Any thoguhts are greatly apreciated here as well!

Good luck Kathryn41 from a fellow Atlantan!!

[Peggy 1]

If your card is to expire in May. How do they extend when you show them your card is to expire. I am going to have this problem as well.

My Green Card expires in May and so does my lisence. So if I go early to renew them they are only going to renew them until my card expires. Is that right?

[WalCruz 0]

I think I am going to have the same problem, because they will only renew my DL whenever I show them something with a new expiration date, since my DL expires on the same date my GC expires. I wish I could go there 60 days prior to the expiration date, but they won't renew since my GC will expire soon also..... I'll try to go there with the extension letter, but I'm pretty sure I'll need the stamp to be able to renew my DL. Oh GOsh!

Edited January 14, 2008 by WalCruz

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Let's keep track of each other's process and see what our experiences are. I am heartened to read pars3211's experience as I intend to apply for my new license while my green card is still valid - as long as I get my extension letter in time. The ridiculous thing is that the green card being expired or not shouldn't make a difference if you have the extension letter. WalCruz, hopefully your extension letter will arrive before the greencard and DL expire so you can get them renewed.

Peggy, I think the trick is to bring both the green card before it is expired, along with the extension letter from having filed to remove conditions to get a one year's Driver's License. Hopefully, the 10 year card will be in before the year is up so you can renew your DL with a multi-year one. It looks like we will be on a similar time line for filing to remove conditions as well.

Thanks for all those Georgians who are adding to this thread. It helps.

[Leland 0]

Let's keep track of each other's process and see what our experiences are. I am heartened to read pars3211's experience as I intend to apply for my new license while my green card is still valid - as long as I get my extension letter in time. The ridiculous thing is that the green card being expired or not shouldn't make a difference if you have the extension letter. WalCruz, hopefully your extension letter will arrive before the greencard and DL expire so you can get them renewed.

Peggy, I think the trick is to bring both the green card before it is expired, along with the extension letter from having filed to remove conditions to get a one year's Driver's License. Hopefully, the 10 year card will be in before the year is up so you can renew your DL with a multi-year one. It looks like we will be on a similar time line for filing to remove conditions as well.

Thanks for all those Georgians who are adding to this thread. It helps.

Here's what happened on Saturday. My wife's condition GC expires next week, so we took the extension letter (we're very lucky our case was instantly transferred to the VSC). Driver's license was extended one year from Saturday's date.

This was @ the Sandy Springs DDS facility.

If anyone has a problem, you should ask for a supervisor. The DDS checks with the USCIS website, and can verify the letter. The letter IS dated and IS legal proof that the validity of one's GC has been extended. You need to find an employee with a brain......

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Thanks Leland,

That is good to know - and yes, you're right, the trick is to find one with a brain, hehehe. One question, when was the actual expiry date for your wife's Driver's License? I notice they didn't renew it for a year based on when the green card expires (next week) but rather on the date that you applied, so it is actually for less than the year extension on the Green card.

[rocky 0]

I'm in the same boat too. My drivers license expires on Feb.8 and my green card expires on may 8,2008 but i'm going to renew my drivers license on Jan.22 lets see what's gonna happen ok! By the way guys, how can i apply for extension letter just incase my gc will not arrive early after applying for new one before the exp. date?

Any reply is highly appreciated! Good luck and hope&pray everything will be fine in our I-751.

[eau_xplain 2]

I'm in the same boat too. My drivers license expires on Feb.8 and my green card expires on may 8,2008 but i'm going to renew my drivers license on Jan.22 lets see what's gonna happen ok! By the way guys, how can i apply for extension letter just incase my gc will not arrive early after applying for new one before the exp. date?

Any reply is highly appreciated! Good luck and hope&pray everything will be fine in our I-751.

Which extension letter are you asking about?

You should get a NOA for your I-751. This NOA extends the validity of your gc by another year.