N400 Interview - Lost Drivers License

[orange010 6]

I have my, most likely, combined N-400/I-751 interview on Friday September 28th in Los Angeles. Unfortunately I've lost my drivers license over the weekend. The N-400 interview notice does not list a drivers license on the 'MUST BRING to the interview' list. Just to be on the sure side I also checked the USCIS website and the website does list 'A state-issued identification such as a driver’s license'  on their documentation to bring list. I looked at scheduling an appointment at the DMV but they do not have an opening until October 31st. I really do not have the time to spend 4 to 5 hours in line at the DMV when I need to be at work. Am I really required to have a state issued ID at the interview? Obviously I will bring my current passport and I have plenty of proof of being a California resident (signed lease, utility bill, photo copy of misplaced license). 

 

What to do?

[ImmiGeek 59]

Take your passport original and copy.

On the top of this, if you happen to have a copy of your lost DL, take it.

Also file a police report of your DL lost, if you happen to apply for a new DL, take a copy of the application.

 

[Hypnos 6,578]

Yes, they will usually ask to see a state-issued driver's license or ID card. 

[Baz20 42]

24 minutes ago, wilcovanl said:

I have my, most likely, combined N-400/I-751 interview on Friday September 28th in Los Angeles. Unfortunately I've lost my drivers license over the weekend. The N-400 interview notice does not list a drivers license on the 'MUST BRING to the interview' list. Just to be on the sure side I also checked the USCIS website and the website does list 'A state-issued identification such as a driver’s license'  on their documentation to bring list. I looked at scheduling an appointment at the DMV but they do not have an opening until October 31st. I really do not have the time to spend 4 to 5 hours in line at the DMV when I need to be at work. Am I really required to have a state issued ID at the interview? Obviously I will bring my current passport and I have plenty of proof of being a California resident (signed lease, utility bill, photo copy of misplaced license). 

 

What to do?

 

Sharing my experience here...

The only ID I was asked to provide during the interview was my GC. But I should admit that the USCIS officer was extremely professional and nice person. 

[orange010 6]

14 minutes ago, Hypnos said:

Yes, they will usually ask to see a state-issued driver's license or ID card. 

It seems like sometimes they ask, sometimes they don't. The official interview letter received from USCIS does not list a state ID on the MUST BRING list. So why would it be a requirement? Also, according to the law I'm not required to have a state ID or driver's license (as far as I know), I should only be able to identify myself to law enforcement (which I can by using my passport). So to me the only reason they want to see state ID is to make sure I'm a California resident and I have plenty of other documents to proof that. I just want to be 100% sure this will not delay my process...

[Hypnos 6,578]

Well no one can tell you to 100% certainty. The only way to do that would be to get a new driver's license, which would cover you if you were asked. 

 

Worst case scenario if you were asked for it and didn't have it is that you would be RFE'd for it. This would delay your case. 

[orange010 6]

13 minutes ago, Baz20 said:

 

Sharing my experience here...

The only ID I was asked to provide during the interview was my GC. But I should admit that the USCIS officer was extremely professional and nice person. 

Unfortunately I no longer have my physical GC as they took it when I got a I-551 passport stamp.

[TNJ17 1,329]

Just go to the dmv and get a duplicate. If you go early in the morning you don’t wait long. 

[Diane and Chris 651]

6 hours ago, wilcovanl said:

I really do not have the time to spend 4 to 5 hours in line at the DMV when I need to be at work. 

Well, if you don’t have time, then take your passport and copy of your DL.  If it were me and there was any doubt, I would make the time!  Good luck...

[randomstairs 309]

Your passport should do (if it's still valid). It's a "government ID" although a foreign one. You're right, there is no requirement to carry any ID other than the GC (which is replaced by the stamp in your case). Be prepared for security delays though. Good luck!

[orange010 6]

On 9/17/2018 at 2:20 PM, TNJ17 said:

Just go to the dmv and get a duplicate. If you go early in the morning you don’t wait long. 

Unfortunately this is not how it works in LA. I don't want to take any risk so here I am...they open in about 50 minutes...

[semsem 19]

Some of DMV offices are open on Saturdays since August 2018, you can visit them this Saturday and get your new DL application with a temp. DL until you receive the permanent one in mail.

I believe with a temp DL you will be OK in the interview. BTY, my interview is on the same day as you 9/28/2018, but it will be in Santa Ana Field Office even I have moved to LA after applying but they didn't transfer my file to LA.

Good luck.

[randomstairs 309]

47 minutes ago, semsem said:

Some of DMV offices are open on Saturdays since August 2018, you can visit them this Saturday and get your new DL application with a temp. DL until you receive the permanent one in mail.

I believe with a temp DL you will be OK in the interview. BTY, my interview is on the same day as you 9/28/2018, but it will be in Santa Ana Field Office even I have moved to LA after applying but they didn't transfer my file to LA.

Good luck.

I think the purpose of bringing a DL to the interview is to prove your identity.  The temp. DL is not an ID in CA (unless they changed it) so the OP will have to wait for the mail. But, as I said, they should be fine with just the passport and the stamp in it. 

[semsem 19]

31 minutes ago, randomstairs said:

I think the purpose of bringing a DL to the interview is to prove your identity.  The temp. DL is not an ID in CA (unless they changed it) so the OP will have to wait for the mail. But, as I said, they should be fine with just the passport and the stamp in it. 

Passport is fine to prove the identity, but I think the main concern was to prove the residency in CA, that's why I recommended for the OP to get the temp DL.

However, visiting DMV is a must sooner or later in this case in order to get a duplicated DL.

[randomstairs 309]

15 minutes ago, semsem said:

Passport is fine to prove the identity, but I think the main concern was to prove the residency in CA, that's why I recommended for the OP to get the temp DL.

However, visiting DMV is a must sooner or later in this case in order to get a duplicated DL.

There are other ways to prove CA residency such as rent bills, utility bills, bank statements, etc. You can have a CA DL and live in another state. Funny enough, the DMV does not take its own valid CA DL as a proof of address or residency in CA.