Can an EAD card effectively be used as "ID" for most/all life purposes on the USA?

[jaysaldi 213]

My wife just got her EAD card. We are waiting for a new AoS interview for her green card.

 

Can we lock her passport in the safe now and just use her EAD card for all purposes for which she would need ID in everyday American life, like buying booze, flying domestically, entering secure government buildings, visiting a doctor, cashing a check, etc.?

With the EAD card, she's now eligible to get a state ID in Nevada. Is there any benefit to doing so? 

 

 

[Loren Y 2,755]

I am in Nevada also. Definitely get a state ID, real ID if possible. The EAD card is a legit and legally allowed id. The problem is no one is familiar with it and won't accept it. Bars, clubs, buying drinks, gambling, etc. Won't do you much good for anything other than finding a job. The passport will get you all of these. You should have gotten her a state ID when she first arrived here with passport and I94. My wife now got her real ID for Nevada a week after arriving as I already added her to utility bills and bank account so we could prove residence for the real ID. The first one was only good for 90 days, then with the EAD card we were able to extend it for 1 year. When she got her green card in February we were able to get the full id card that doesn't have the restrictions on it and is good for 8 years. Even though her first one expired after 90 days she was able to use it for everything still because people never looked at the expiration date on it, just the birthday. Even when she was a witness to a robbery at a 7-11 and had to use it for the police to fill out a statement they didn't care that it was expired, it was still considered a valid ID. The one you get will say limited term on it, but other than that you can use it for anything you need. 

[Free Man 119]

In Nevada, you can use the EAD to apply for ID or driving license. However it will only be valid for 1yr with the exact date as your EAD

[jaysaldi 213]

1 hour ago, Loren Y said:

I am in Nevada also. Definitely get a state ID, real ID if possible. The EAD card is a legit and legally allowed id. The problem is no one is familiar with it and won't accept it. Bars, clubs, buying drinks, gambling, etc. Won't do you much good for anything other than finding a job. The passport will get you all of these. You should have gotten her a state ID when she first arrived here with passport and I94. My wife now got her real ID for Nevada a week after arriving as I already added her to utility bills and bank account so we could prove residence for the real ID. The first one was only good for 90 days, then with the EAD card we were able to extend it for 1 year. When she got her green card in February we were able to get the full id card that doesn't have the restrictions on it and is good for 8 years. Even though her first one expired after 90 days she was able to use it for everything still because people never looked at the expiration date on it, just the birthday. Even when she was a witness to a robbery at a 7-11 and had to use it for the police to fill out a statement they didn't care that it was expired, it was still considered a valid ID. The one you get will say limited term on it, but other than that you can use it for anything you need. 

Thanks. Is there a reason to get the state ID card if we believe issuance of the green card will be imminent by the time DMVs open? 

Also, she's planning to take the written driving test as soon as she can, then get the driving learner's permit and driving license. So the plan will be for her to have a driver's license within the next 6 months or so if she can pass the test. Can/should she just apply for the state ID card when she goes in for the written driving test, even if green card is imminent?

 

Yes, I screwed up by not getting her ID card and more importantly SS# before the 75 day window closed. It has been an inconvenience. I was waiting until we got married and she could just do everything once in her married name, but that was a mistake in retrospect.

Edited May 14, 2020 by jaysaldi

[Loren Y 2,755]

AOS interview took us about 9 months after filing, this was in normal times, I would expect over a year if not longer from when you filed for sure now. I would still get a state ID as you can get the real ID paperwork out of the way, and it only costs like 13 dollars. Better to get into the system as early as possible. Will make everything else down the line easier. Once my wife had her first id card all the others were quick and easy because all the proof of everything was done and out of the way.

We decided to let my wife keep her name ( doesn't make us any less married) and has made everything 10 times easier from passport renewal, SS card updates, banking, state ID, litterraly everything having to do with her name was so much easier, but that's a personal choice. Getting the Id card was a priority because that is a lot easier to carry around than your passport all the time and losing a state ID is a pretty easy replacement. 

Best bet is to bite the bullet and get her in the DMV system, that way everything down the line is easier.

Edited May 14, 2020 by Loren Y

[arken 4,197]

Once the DMV is open, it is better to get the Learner Permit rather than the State ID if one is planning to get the DL anyway. Learners Permit acts as a state ID similar to the DL.

[jaysaldi 213]

20 hours ago, arken said:

Once the DMV is open, it is better to get the Learner Permit rather than the State ID if one is planning to get the DL anyway. Learners Permit acts as a state ID similar to the DL.

Thanks. But she needs to pass the written test to get the learner's permit. And that may take her a few tries, since it is in English. That's why i'm thinking of applying for the state ID card.

[Nitas_man 3,100]

15 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

Thanks. But she needs to pass the written test to get the learner's permit. And that may take her a few tries, since it is in English. That's why i'm thinking of applying for the state ID card.

I would advise to get her a state ID card since most places who would need to see an ID would have no idea what an EAD card is or what it means

 

[jaysaldi 213]

On 5/16/2020 at 4:33 AM, Nitas_man said:

I would advise to get her a state ID card since most places who would need to see an ID would have no idea what an EAD card is or what it means

 

OK thanks. What if the green card is imminent? Any use for the state ID card? Do most immigrants carry the green card around to use as ID or leave it home so it doesn't get lost/stolen?

[Just Paul 4,595]

32 minutes ago, jaysaldi said:

OK thanks. What if the green card is imminent? Any use for the state ID card? 

Get at least a state ID.  The more you have the better. Some places will want two forms of ID to setup accounts.  Very few places will know what an EAD is.  Plus having the state ID shows that she is considered a resident of your state. Having the state ID (or learners permit or drivers license), was one of the items provided to get her Global Entry card.

 

38 minutes ago, jaysaldi said:

Do most immigrants carry the green card around to use as ID or leave it home so it doesn't get lost/stolen?

For everyday use she keeps hers in a safe.  Only takes it when we are leaving town.  I think you are supposed to carry it to show status but losing it is expensive.

[Nitas_man 3,100]

5 hours ago, jaysaldi said:

OK thanks. What if the green card is imminent? Any use for the state ID card? Do most immigrants carry the green card around to use as ID or leave it home so it doesn't get lost/stolen?

She needs an ID.  Nita doesnt carry her green card around.  

[jaysaldi 213]

19 hours ago, Nitas_man said:

She needs an ID.  Nita doesnt carry her green card around.  

OK thanks