We know getting an ID or driver’s license is key to settling into your new community. We're here to help with information and resources to make the process easier and less stressful.
COFA (Compacts of Free Association) Migrant Resources
The following resource was created to assist individuals from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
What Can Your Card (ID Card or Driver’s License) Do?
Relocating to a new area, state, or country (whether by choice or not) can be an intimidating process. Getting where you need to go, when you need to go is a critical factor in your life.
We’re here to help you understand the differences between the card types, and the associated driving privileges with each type. Driving without the correct card type may lead to receiving citations (tickets/fines) from law enforcement, an expensive process we want to help you avoid.
The deadline to get your REAL ID (gold star) has been extended to May 7, 2025. If you fly commercially you’ll either need a REAL ID license or ID in addition to your USCIS issued document, or you’re going to be subject to additional screening and potential delay.
Don’t panic! We’re here to help you determine if you already have a REAL ID license or ID or decide if a REAL ID license or ID is right for you.
Getting an ID Card or a Driver’s License for the First Time
When you apply for an ID card or driver’s license (DL) for the first time, you will need to provide certain documentation to prove your identity and residential address.
The following information explains what documentation to bring when you visit one of our service centers, and why we require certain documents before issuing your ID or DL.
1. Apply for an Iowa Real ID-Compliant Card
Customer visits a driver's license service center (be sure to schedule an appointment) to apply for an Iowa Real ID-Compliant card (driver's license or ID card).
2. Provide Documentation
Customer must provide:
Proof of identity document (USCIS);
Social Security Number (if applicable);
Two items that show Iowa physical residency (address)
Licenses and ID cards issued to temporary foreign nationals must be limited to the period of time the foreign national is authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to stay in the country, not to exceed two years. There must be at least 30 days of status time remaining.
List items for United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Documents
Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State (Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545)
Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-570 or N-578)
Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560, N-561 or N-645)
Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94) with attached photo and stamped “Temporary Proof of Lawful Permanent Resident”
Record of Arrival and Departure (I-94) stamped “Refugee,” “Parolee” or “Asylee”
Unexpired foreign passport accompanied by the approved I-94 documenting the applicant's most recent admittance into the United States
Valid foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
Permit to Reenter the United States (I-327)
Refugee Travel Document (I-571)
3. Verify Lawful Status
Iowa DOT consultant verifies customer's lawful status via DHS/USCIS.
List items for Proof of Legal Status for Driver's Licenses & IDs
Federal Real ID regulations, 6 C.F.R. §37.11, requires that all foreign national customers provide proof of their legal status documents issued by USCIS to be considered for issuance of an Iowa credential. We (Iowa DOT) send the customer’s USCIS documentation information to USCIS through an electronic system called VLS (verification of lawful status). If USCIS can automatically approve the customer’s lawful status, we are able to issue accordingly the same day.
4. May Need Additional Verification
Sometimes, additional verification (manual review of documents by DHS/USCIS) is necessary. Generally it takes 45 business days to receive a response back.
List items for Additional Verification for Driver's Licenses & ID
Sometimes, we receive a response from USCIS that states, "additional verification is required." This can happen for a variety of reasons (customer is newly arrived in the United States, pending renewal or extension of their USCIS document, or customer is eligible under a Federal Register Notice, like a Temporary Protected Status (TPS)) but shouldn’t alarm you that there is an issue. Rather, it means that a USCIS employee has to manually review your document information and then manually send us back a response. This extra step requires us to send information through a different system that is commonly called SAVE.
When this happens, we will print what is called a SAVE Case CheckLetter. This lets you know that we submitted your information to USCIS and that they are working diligently to verify the information and respond, so that you can continue with your issuance process. It generally takes 3-7 business days before we receive a response. In the meantime, you can check your case using your case letter. You can also contact us at the service center phone number that we will write and provide to you on your SAVE Case letter.
5. Iowa DOT receives response from USCIS
Issue ID or driver's license accordingly; or
Advise customer of verification response & next steps
Iowa DOT consultant verifies customer's lawful status via DHS/USCIS.
Do I need to provide proof of legal status?
Federal Real ID regulations, 6 C.F.R. §37.11, requires that all foreign national customers provide proof of their legal status documents issued by USCIS to be considered for issuance of an Iowa credential. We (Iowa DOT) send the customer’s USCIS documentation information to USCIS through an electronic system called VLS (verification of lawful status). If USCIS can automatically approve the customer’s lawful status, we are able to issue accordingly the same day.
4. May Need Additional Verification
Sometimes, additional verification (manual review of documents by DHS/USCIS) is necessary. Generally it takes 45 business days to receive a response back.
What's next in the verification process?
Sometimes, we receive a response from USCIS that states, "additional verification is required." This can happen for a variety of reasons (customer is newly arrived in the United States, pending renewal or extension of their USCIS document, or customer is eligible under a Federal Register Notice, like a Temporary Protected Status (TPS)) but shouldn’t alarm you that there is an issue. Rather, it means that a USCIS employee has to manually review your document information and then manually send us back a response. This extra step requires us to send information through a different system that is commonly called SAVE.
When this happens, we will print what is called a SAVE Case CheckLetter. This lets you know that we submitted your information to USCIS and that they are working diligently to verify the information and respond, so that you can continue with your issuance process. It generally takes 3-7 business days before we receive a response. In the meantime, you can check your case using your case letter. You can also contact us at the service center phone number that we will write and provide to you on your SAVE Case letter.
5. Iowa DOT receives response from USCIS:
Issue ID or driver's license accordingly; or
Advise customer of verification response & next steps
Resources for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Customers
Technical and legal language can sometimes make it difficult to understand, regardless of someone’s understanding of the English language. We strive to create resources that utilize images or graphics to help better explain important information.
We also utilize a contracted language provider for translation and interpretation services. Our staff and you (yes, you!) can request language assistance for:
Conversations in-person at our driver’s license service centers;
Conversations by phone;
Instructions prior to taking an on-the-road driving test (not available for commercial skills testing as Federal regulations require these testing portions be completed in English only)
We suggest that if you need language assistance, have someone write the language and/or dialect you need on a piece of paper, and bring that with you during your visit. Simply hand that to one of us and we’ll get an interpreter on the phone to ensure that you understand the important information that we’re relaying, and that we answer any questions you may have for us.
List items for Languages Offered for the Driver’s License Knowledge Test
We offer the driver’s license (operator) knowledge test in language other than English. Currently, we make available written and audio translation in the following languages:
Albanian
Arabic
Bosnian
Burmese
Cambodian
Chinese
French
German
Greek
Hebrew
Hmong
Italian
Korean
Laotian
Polish
Portuguese
Russian
Somali
Spanish
Vietnamese
We do offer additional opportunities to take the operator’s knowledge test using an interpreter. These opportunities are by appointment only, so please be sure to speak with a driver’s license service consultant to request an appointment.
List items for Immigrant & Refugee Process - Frequently Asked Questions
We’re required to verify everyone’s lawful status when they apply for an Iowa driver’s license or identification card. For our customers who are not U.S. citizens, we must submit the customer’s USCIS issued document to USCIS for their review and response. Sometimes, we receive a response from USCIS that states, ‘additional verification is required.’ This can happen for a variety of reasons (customer is newly arrived in the United States, pending renewal or extension of their USCIS document, or customer is eligible under a Federal Register Notice, like a Temporary Protected Status (TPS)) but shouldn’t alarm you that there is an issue. Rather, it means that a USCIS employee has to manually review your document information and then manually send us back a response. This extra step requires us to send information through a different system that is commonly called SAVE.
If you’ve never been issued an Iowa driver’s license or identification card before we must have a valid USCIS document to verify your lawful status before we can continue with the issuance process. If you are a refugee and have been issued an I-94, we can attempt to look up your information on the DHS/USCIS website.
If you’re trying to renew, update, or get a duplicate of your Iowa driver’s license or identification card and do not have a valid USCIS document with you, we can try to verify your lawful status using the last USCIS document you provided to us. Please feel free to ask to speak with a supervisor if you’ve been asked to return when you have a valid USCIS document and they can make sure we have attempted to verify your lawful status using the information we have.
We do offer additional opportunities to take the operator’s knowledge test using an interpreter. These opportunities are by appointment only, so please be sure to speak with a driver’s license service consultant to request an appointment.
Technical and legal language can sometimes make it difficult to understand, regardless of someone’s understanding of the English language. We strive to create resources that utilize images or graphics to help better explain important information.
We also utilize a contracted language provider for translation and interpretation services. Our staff and you (yes you!) can request language assistance for,
Conversations in-person at our driver’s license service centers;
Conversations by phone;
Instructions prior to taking an on-the-road driving test (not available for commercial skills testing as Federal regulations require these testing portions be completed in English only)
We suggest that if you need language assistance, have someone write the language and/or dialect you need on a piece of paper, and bring that with you during your visit. Simply hand that to one of us and we’ll get an interpreter on the phone to ensure that you understand the important information that we’re relaying, and that we answer any questions you may have for us.
