Driver's License For My Fiancee

[Willallen25 7]

Hello everyone. I wanted to ask how soon can my fiancee and I go to Motor Vehicles to obtain a driver's license upon entering the US? She will be coming to NJ when she enters America. My intention was to see exactly which Primary/Secondary/Other Essential Documents and/or information She would need then go to Motor Vehicles together. Thanks.

[058rocale 74]

2 minutes ago, Willallen25 said:

Hello everyone. I wanted to ask how soon can my fiancee and I go to Motor Vehicles to obtain a driver's license upon entering the US? She will be coming to NJ when she enters America. My intention was to see exactly which Primary/Secondary/Other Essential Documents and/or information She would need then go to Motor Vehicles together. Thanks.

Hello Willallen!

Check your state's requirements for a driver licence, but in my case here in Florida, we needed to wait a little bit. The first thing I did was getting my fiance's social security which you can go to the SS Office two weeks exactly after your fiance's arrival (important to then add your fiance's name at your mailbox so the ss# arrives at your address, other wise they send the ss card back).

If you happen to get her number before her actual ss card arrives, you can use the number plus the letter the SS office gives you saying that they have issued a ss# for your fiance. In the DNV here in FL they do this.

If you go to the DNV office before you file for your Adjustment of Status, your fiance can take the written test,  the road test and pay, but they will issue a temporary driver's licence up until the expiration date of her K1 visa reflected on her I-94. For the DNV to give her a one-year driver's licence that they do for nonimmigrants, you will need the USCIS receipt for the I-485 (AOS application form) that is mailed to you (not the email saying that they got it, but a receipt that extends your fiance's stay) this paper plus a certified copy of your marriage licence. 

 

[DrEllaNJ 288]

she will first need to get her SSN. You do not have to wait 2 weeks anymore - just check whether her name has been entered into the i94 database (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home, click 'get most recent i94'. PRINT IT when you get it, she'll need it for tons of stuff). Do not wait until you get married, she'll get one in her maiden name but you can change that later.

 

I read that NJ won't issue a DL unless you have more than 60 days left on your visa though... so that'd mean having to apply for it within 30 days of arrival. It's hard to get the required 6 points without presenting the marriage certificate, so you'd have to get married ASAP as well. I was able to get a marriage certificate 12 days after the wedding, but we got married in a church which took a week to bring it to City Hall.

 

She'll also most likely get a permit first and do the test, which further complicates matters.

 

I got my DL in Cherry Hill last year, but only after I got my EAD. I already had a SSN and a license from a different state though, because I was in the US on a different visa. They had to process all my paperwork through a supervisor but eventually, it wasn't a problem. It was my quickest DMV trip ever, on a Wednesday late morning! (had to go through Philly previously, what a nightmare). Worst case, she may have to wait until she gets her EAD...

 

There are people who obtain an international DL in their home country and use that in combination with their home country's DL to get around for a few months. Opinions differ whether that's totally legal, and you may not be able to add her to your insurance.

Edited August 24, 2017 by DrEllaNJ
waiting 2 weeks not necessary

[Willallen25 7]

Very helpful thank you both very much. I definitely needed this. 

[WandY 430]

In our state, green card and SSN required for driver's license. Acquired SSN within a couple of days of arriving USA. No need to wait.

 

 

[Marzena & Stephen 544]

2 hours ago, Willallen25 said:

Hello everyone. I wanted to ask how soon can my fiancee and I go to Motor Vehicles to obtain a driver's license upon entering the US? She will be coming to NJ when she enters America. My intention was to see exactly which Primary/Secondary/Other Essential Documents and/or information She would need then go to Motor Vehicles together. Thanks.

I am curious what you guys checked off when you applied for the SSN #

Did it ask you  the following by any chance? If so which on did you select (other than us citizen because obviously I'm not a citizen going through this process)

US CITIZEN

or

Legal alien allowed to work

or

Legal Alien not allowed to work

or

OTHER

 

[chi6488 94]

3 hours ago, 058rocale said:

Hello Willallen!

Check your state's requirements for a driver licence, but in my case here in Florida, we needed to wait a little bit. The first thing I did was getting my fiance's social security which you can go to the SS Office two weeks exactly after your fiance's arrival (important to then add your fiance's name at your mailbox so the ss# arrives at your address, other wise they send the ss card back).

If you happen to get her number before her actual ss card arrives, you can use the number plus the letter the SS office gives you saying that they have issued a ss# for your fiance. In the DNV here in FL they do this.

If you go to the DNV office before you file for your Adjustment of Status, your fiance can take the written test,  the road test and pay, but they will issue a temporary driver's licence up until the expiration date of her K1 visa reflected on her I-94. For the DNV to give her a one-year driver's licence that they do for nonimmigrants, you will need the USCIS receipt for the I-485 (AOS application form) that is mailed to you (not the email saying that they got it, but a receipt that extends your fiance's stay) this paper plus a certified copy of your marriage licence. 

 

Thanks.  Just what I need being a FL resident.  Save's me the research