Renewing drivers license while waiting for I-751 application to be processed?

[kamas 2]

My drivers license expired the same day as my green card. I filed I-751 and got a receipt I-797 notice of action. The I-797 says "your conditional resident status is extended for a period of one year."

Can I take this I-797 to the DMV and have them renew my drivers license for "a period of one year"?

[Sukie 1,460]

My drivers license expired the same day as my green card. I filed I-751 and got a receipt I-797 notice of action. The I-797 says "your conditional resident status is extended for a period of one year."

Can I take this I-797 to the DMV and have them renew my drivers license for "a period of one year"?

It really depends upon the state in which you live. Some states are not very forthcoming with extensions, and some states don't have any trouble with it. If you think you will have a hassle, be sure to print out any Federal rules from the website and take them with you along with your original I-797. Also don't be afraid to (nicely) ask for a supervisor if a clerk thinks you cannot have your license renewed.

Good luck!

Sukie in NY

[Cheezees 1,514]

Oh boy. Like Sukie stated, it depends. Some offices in some states are OK/knowledgeable about the extension letter while others claim "Well suppose you're denied residency! We don't want you ending up with official US ID". So cross your fingers. Good luck!

[ColGil 126]

Just thought I'd chime in on the process in California, as I was stressing about it!!! My DL expires same day as Conditional GC. The CA DMV wrote me asking for proof of residency or citizenship beyond the expiration date. Responded to the letter (which had a return envelope included) with a photocopy of the I-751 NOA1 (both sides). New DL was mailed out approx 6 weeks later and was extended by 3 years (expires on my birthday now, not the GC expiration date).

Hope this helps others

[Musicata 1]

My license expired in October of last year which was the month before my GC expired. The DMV initially extended it by three months when I got the notice about ROC process and then extended it to 12 months with the extension letter.

I just got the stamp in my passport today which gives me another years extension so I'm not sure what will happen with the DMV but I iwll send an update!

[jjbrien 1]

My license expired in October of last year which was the month before my GC expired. The DMV initially extended it by three months when I got the notice about ROC process and then extended it to 12 months with the extension letter.

I just got the stamp in my passport today which gives me another years extension so I'm not sure what will happen with the DMV but I iwll send an update!

Great stuff was wondering how you got on

Edited October 4, 2016 by jjbrien

[Musicata 1]

Great stuff was wondering how you got on

It was grand!

I took my extension letter, my RFE notice, marriage certificate (just in case) and my passport to the office. I can't seem to track down my expired green card which they do ask for but it's not a requirement for the stamp. I just explained where I was in the process and the lady took the passport and stamped it. She said that it would allow entry for up to 12 months and to make sure I take my extension letter and RFE notice with me when I travel.

The only thing that I'm worried about is that she asked me if I included a photocopy of my RFE notice with the packet. I said I hadn't because I wrote out a cover letter that included my case #and alien #. She said that may cause a delay. Felt like a bit of an idiot for not including it. Oh well!

[AK_2014 113]

We just moved to Illinois.

Had to visit two different DMVs (long story) to get new licenses, but both of them accepted the extension letter as valid proof of status. This occurred about two weeks prior to expiration of the conditional green card, so don't know if that made a difference, but it wasn't a problem here.

Still waiting for the actual license to arrive in the mail to see what sort of expiration date they put on it (one year from letter date? one year from green card expiration? full four-year license?).

[AK_2014 113]

I took my extension letter, my RFE notice, marriage certificate (just in case) and my passport to the office. I can't seem to track down my expired green card which they do ask for but it's not a requirement for the stamp. I just explained where I was in the process and the lady took the passport and stamped it. She said that it would allow entry for up to 12 months and to make sure I take my extension letter and RFE notice with me when I travel.

Now I'm curious -- why would you need to take the RFE when you travel? Is that a general rule?

[jjbrien 1]

It was grand!

I took my extension letter, my RFE notice, marriage certificate (just in case) and my passport to the office. I can't seem to track down my expired green card which they do ask for but it's not a requirement for the stamp. I just explained where I was in the process and the lady took the passport and stamped it. She said that it would allow entry for up to 12 months and to make sure I take my extension letter and RFE notice with me when I travel.

The only thing that I'm worried about is that she asked me if I included a photocopy of my RFE notice with the packet. I said I hadn't because I wrote out a cover letter that included my case #and alien #. She said that may cause a delay. Felt like a bit of an idiot for not including it. Oh well!

Got a 1 year stamp today myself so im happy i got that. If i was you just to cover your ### send another packet with the RFE letter to the VSC you dont want them to use it as an excuse to say oh we didnt get it.