- Accepted International Students
- Preparing to Study In the United States: Step by Step
- SEVIS
- Canadian Citizens
- All Other International Students
- New York State Non-Driver Photo ID
- Tax Information
- Residential Requirement
- Employment
- Frequently Asked Questions about the I-20 and F-1 Visa
- Family Visas for Graduation
- International Peer Mentoring Program
- Additional Resources
- Contact
A New York state non-driver photo ID contains the same photo, signature and personal information as a driver's license and is secure against fraud or alteration. It can be a useful proof of identity and can be used in place of your passport for everyday identification needs, such as check cashing.
- You can
obtain a New York state non-driver photo ID through the Niagara County Department of Motor Vehicles, located at:
1001 11th Street
Trott Access Building
Niagara Falls, N.Y. 14301
716.278.1970 - Your I-20 must have at least six months remaining. It must have been issued for more than one year.
- You must fill out a form MV-44.
- You must provide "proof of identity" totaling four points (explained below), plus a social security card (worth two points, for a total of six points). If you do not have a social security card, you must provide a letter from the Social Security Administration or form SSA-L676 explaining why you are ineligible for a social security card.
- Each document submitted must be an original or certified by the issuing agency. One must have your signature, and one must show your date of birth. In most cases, your passport will have your date of birth and signature, and that is sufficient for both purposes.
- Document point values are as follows:
- I-20 AND Passport: 3 points (proves date of birth)
- Social Security Card: 2 points
- U.S. College Photo ID: 2 points
- Computer Printed Pay Stub: 1 point
- U.S. Health Insurance Card: 1 point
- W-2 with Social Security Number: 1 point
- Bank statement OR canceled, preprinted check OR signed ATM/debit card OR valid major U.S. credit card: 1 point
Further information is available from the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition, ICE issued a July 2009 DMV Fact Sheet that, although not specific to New York state, provides many general answers to frequently asked questions.
How to Apply for a New York State Driver License or Non-Driver ID
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
22 Market St.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
www.co.dutchess.ny.us
845-486-2130
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Do I have to get a US driver’s license?
If you have a license from your home country, you do NOT have to get a New York State driver license.
You can drive in New York State using your country’s license (the rules may be different in other states!)
CIP recommends:
Always carry your passport while driving. A foreign driver license is not a valid form of identification in the United States.
We recommend obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) from the issuing authority in your country, especially if your license is not in English. Be careful, there are many online scams offering “international licenses,” so please make sure to obtain an official IDP. You MUST carry your foreign driver’s license with you in order for your IDP to be valid.
If you are to stay in the US for over a year, we highly recommend that you obtain a New York State Driver License.
If you have a driver license from another US state or Canadian province, you must exchange it for a New York State Driver License within ten days of registering your address with SUNY New Paltz. Drivers who have Canadian citizenship or permanent residence need not exchange their license.
How can I apply for a New York State driver’s license?
Go to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and hand in the paperwork:
Application form MV-44
Your current driver’s license
Show six points of ID (//dmv.ny.gov/node/63)
DMV letter issued by the Office of International Student Programs
What are the six points of ID?
The six points of ID are listed at (//dmv.ny.gov/node/63)
International F-1 / J-1 students must show the following pieces of ID:
3 points = Passport/ I-94/visa/ I-20 or DS-2019
2 points = US college photo ID with transcript
0 points = DMV letter from the Center for International Programs
2 points = Social Security card or letter (if you have one).
OR
0 points = Letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Office
In order to obtain the remaining points for a total of at least 6, students usually show the following pieces of ID:
1 point = US Health insurance card
1 point = Utility bill (gas or electric) if you live off campus
1 point = US credit card or US debit card, cancelled check, or bank statement
3 points = Employment Authorization Document (no letter from International student programs needed in this case)
Note: Each point category may be used only once!
What if I cannot get a Social Security number?
Go to the Social Security office and apply for a Social Security number
The SS office will give you a letter of non-eligibility
Take that letter, form MV-44, and other forms of identification (six points of ID in total) to the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for a driver’s license
I want to apply for a State ID card
You can apply for a non-driver photo ID card at the Department of Motor vehicles. The process is almost the same as applying for a driver’s license. You can use this card as a good form of identification in the US. You cannot use this card to drive a vehicle
Apply for a Learner’s Permit
Take a written test about the rules of the road, here is the driver’s manual.
You should take driving lessons with a qualified instructor.
How can I learn to drive in the US?
Apply for a Learner’s Permit
Take a written test about the rules of the road, here is the driver’s manual.
You should take driving lessons with a qualified instructor.
**PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE A NEW STUDENT, WE CANNOT ISSUE A DMV LETTER UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE US AT LEAST 10 DAYS. ONCE YOU RECEIVE A LETTER FROM US, WAIT A FEW DAYS BEFORE GOING TO THE DMV OFFICE**
Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration Office is located in Poughkeepsie, NY. If you do not have access to a car, you may choose to take the bus to Poughkeepsie. Office hours are between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday except legal holidays. If you have any questions, you may contact the Social Security Office directly.
Social Security Administration
332 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
www.ssa.gov
1-877-405-6747
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.