State REAL ID/Driver License - Need to update after Naturalization?

[T+E 2]

If a state REAL ID or Driver's License was obtained using a Green Card, is it required to notify the DMV once you obtain citizenship through naturalization? The California DMV website's FAQs don't address this situation.

Edited June 3, 2023 by T+E

[Mike E 11,739]

18 minutes ago, T+E said:

it required to notify the DMV once you obtain citizenship through naturalization?

No.  
 

I waited until the CA DMV offered a free REAL ID upgrade and this had no effect on my license to drive.

 

I would delay as long as possible to give the SAVE record time to ferment.

[Verrou 1,962]

local DMV person said i should inform them once there's a change of status ( to GC or to Naturalization) but it's not a MUST right away or immediately. she didnt say the last sentence but that's what i gathered last year when i renewed my DL. at that time i didnt have GC yet.

 

i have issue with SAVE check for both SSA office and DMV up until now even though i become LPR end of March 2023. the SAVE status for both are pending. i went to SSA office 10 days after i become LPR and i went to DMV 1 month after i become LPR. same issue. and i spoke with 1 person who become USC through naturalization back in October 2022 and she didnt bother to go to SSA office and DMV until April 2023, she also have same issue until now. cant get her unrestricted SSA card and also waiting for her real ID

 

what am i saying is, seems there's glitch to some people that USCIS didnt update the change of status on SAVE verification hence the issue

Edited June 3, 2023 by Misscloud

[Scandi 4,166]

In CA, no you don't need to update anything. I didn't give them any info until it was time to renew my license and I decided to get the Real ID instead of just a regular renewal. 

[Sarge2155 4,587]

I think you do not have to update your driver's license unless you changed your name during naturalization! If the name used on your naturalization certificate is different than the name on your driver's license then you would have to update your license at DMV.

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

2 hours ago, Sarge2155 said:

I think you do not have to update your driver's license unless you changed your name during naturalization! If the name used on your naturalization certificate is different than the name on your driver's license then you would have to update your license at DMV.

In Texas, I think it is better to change the status.  We have never been able to update my wife's address online.  I assumed it is because she was a Green Card Holder.  I, as a USC, have always been able to update my address online.  For that reason, I plan to get wife an appointment at DPS to update her status to USC.

I am going to try online again, but the DPS system is undergoing Maintenace at the moment.  I did find that even to change the Texas DL address by mail, the person MUST be a US citizen. I also found the same requirement exists for online address changes.

Edited June 4, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

Real ID was invented for those who use  DL as ID as they do not have a passport

if u have a US passport, u can delay getting that star (real ID) on your DL till u renew

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

29 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

Real ID was invented for those who use  DL as ID as they do not have a passport

if u have a US passport, u can delay getting that star (real ID) on your DL till u renew

In Texas, Green Card holders get the gold star.

[WaterLeaf 200]

As far I'm aware, you can update it when you go to renew it. If you try to update it now, might be good if you need the real ID but other than that it's just wasting money. I don't recall hearing anything about the fee being waived.

 

As a USC, I find it frustrating that they gave me the non-real ID. They have all of my required info on file so I don't get it and it piss me off. LOL.

[Scandi 4,166]

56 minutes ago, WaterLeaf said:

As far I'm aware, you can update it when you go to renew it. If you try to update it now, might be good if you need the real ID but other than that it's just wasting money. I don't recall hearing anything about the fee being waived.

 

As a USC, I find it frustrating that they gave me the non-real ID. They have all of my required info on file so I don't get it and it piss me off. LOL.

They don't "give" you anything you don't apply for. The Real ID requires that you go to your local DMV in person and bring the required documents (your physical SS card is one of them). Here in CA (and possibly all other states too?) you fill out the Real ID application online before you go to your DMV.

And Real ID is for greencard holders too, don't need to be a citizen for that. Just apply for one. 

[Scandi 4,166]

4 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

In Texas, I think it is better to change the status.  We have never been able to update my wife's address online.  I assumed it is because she was a Green Card Holder.  I, as a USC, have always been able to update my address online.  For that reason, I plan to get wife an appointment at DPS to update her status to USC.

I am going to try online again, but the DPS system is undergoing Maintenace at the moment.  I did find that even to change the Texas DL address by mail, the person MUST be a US citizen. I also found the same requirement exists for online address changes.

I don't know if there's any truth to it, but I have read posts more than once, by people claiming their states give you a "special" driver license when you're not a citizen (different from the license they give to "undocumented") - and for those states it's a good idea to update your status and get the "citizen DL". That is not the case in CA at least. 

[Loren Y 2,755]

I wouldn't worry about the license right away. My wife Naturalized on the 6th of April, we did the SS office same day, and applied for passport the next, but we are not doing her license until the 26th or 27th of this month. She has always had a real ID from the start, even with her temporary ID card when she arrived on her K1, the only thing you do for real ID is prove your address with utility bills, and bank statements and such. She used her restricted SS card even, and still got a real ID issued. So just about anyone can get real ID as long as you can prove your address. Don't think anything has to be done for the Drivers license anyway, but every state is different when it comes to State issued ID's. The US needs to get in line and come around with just about every other country in the world, and begin issuing National ID cards, then it's the same everywhere. My CDL is a Federal ID now, and I can use it alone to enter Canada and Mexico. I think it is called an Enhanced ID. Some states are beginning to issue these also I believe, and for that I think citizenship would come into play.

[top_secret 2,417]

Probably one of those issues that varies from state to state.  I know there are minimum Federal requirements to get Real ID but state requirements and how it is implemented seems to vary greatly.

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

Real ID (if u do not have other ID's that are accepted) is not required till May 7 ,  2025

 

other forms are listed on following site

and they include things like tribal ID as it is federally accepted

 

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

In Texas, Green Card holders get the gold star.

because they do not have a US passport

I continue to use US passport for my ID till next year when i renew DL but my gf only uses her tribal ID as it's federal accepted 

 

other forms of ID that TSA uses are on following site

 

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification