Students Studying in The United States State Issued IDs

Massachusetts offers three different types of State Issued ID cards:

1. Driver’s License
2. Massachusetts ID Card
3. Liquor ID Card

For further information on how to obtain a MA State Issued ID and the eligibility requirements, please view the information below on the type of ID you wish to obtain.

On March 26, 2018, The Massachusetts Register of Motor Vehicles changed the process to obtain or renew any driver’s license, ID card, or learner’s permit. From now on, you will need to present documentation showing U.S. citizenship or lawful presence as required by federal and -state law. For additional information and instructions on the new process, please visit The Massachusetts Register of Motor Vehicles website.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for any of the State Issued IDs, the program length listed on your I-20 or your DS-2019 must be at least 12 months in length. See below for more details on how to determine if your current I-20 or DS-2019 meets the State Issued ID eligibility requirements:

Please note that your I-20 or DS-2019 must be valid for at least 30 days from the day you submit an application to the RMV.

Reminder – Your license or ID will expire when your legal status is over.

How to obtain a Massachusetts Driver’s License

In order to obtain a Massachusetts driver’s license, you first must go to a Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) office and obtain a learner’s permit by taking a written test. Later on, you will need to take a road test to obtain the actual license. For more information click here.

The following documents are required:

• Proof of visa status (I-20 or DS-2019)
• Copy of most recent I-94
• Social Security Number or Denial Letter
• Proof of date of birth
• Proof of Massachusetts residency
• Proof of signature
• Completed application
• Payment

To see what documents are acceptable for each category, please click here.

Driver’s Licenses are valid for the length of the I-20 or DS-2019 or 5 years, whichever is shorter.

Renewing your Massachusetts’s Driver’s License

Renewals of a Massachusetts Driver’s License can be done online or in person at a RMV office. For information about this process, please visit the RMV webpage.

Please note that if you have a license that is valid for less than 5 years, you will need to renew your license in person at a RMV office.

Driving in Massachusetts on a Foreign Driver’s License

Effective July 2018, Massachusetts General Law (Chapter 90, Section 10) was changed to allow validly licensed drivers from any country to operate validly registered motor vehicles in Massachusetts. All foreign-licensed drivers are subject to the following requirements when operating a motor vehicle in Massachusetts. Violation of these requirements is a criminal offense.

Please visit the RMV’s website for information on the requirements the foreign licensed drivers are subject to.

In order to apply for a Massachusetts ID card, you must apply in person at a RMV office. Please note that the 12-month immigration document rule does not apply, for more information click here.

Eligibility

• Must be at least 14 years old
• Can not hold a valid license in any jurisdiction
• Must be a resident of Massachusetts

How to obtain a Massachusetts ID Card

• Proof of visa status (I-20 or DS-2019)
• Copy of most recent I-94
• Social Security Number or Denial Letter
• Proof of date of birth
• Proof of Massachusetts residency
• Proof of signature
• Completed application
• Payment

To see what documents are acceptable for each category, please click here.

Please note that you will be given a temporary Mass ID, valid for 30 days, at the service center, and a permanent Mass ID will be mailed to you within 5–7 days. For further information, please click here.

Please be advised that by law, it is under the discretion of restaurants, bars, etc. to accept Massachusetts ID cards as proof of age. For more information please click here.

In order to apply for a Liquor ID, you must apply in person at a RMV office. Please note that the 12-month immigration document rule does not apply, for more information click here.

Eligibility

• Must be over 21 years old
• Cannot hold a valid Massachusetts driver license

How to obtain a Liquor ID

• Proof of visa status (I-20 or DS-2019)
• Copy of most recent I-94
• Social Security Number or Denial Letter
• Proof of date of birth
• Proof of signature
• Completed application
• Payment

To see what documents are acceptable for each category, please click here.

Please note that you will be given a temporary Liquor ID, valid for 30 days, at the service center, and a permanent Mass ID will be mailed to you within 5–7 days. For more information please click here.

Maine offers two different types of State Issued ID cards:

1. Non-driver identification card
2. Driver’s license

For further information on how to obtain a State Issued ID and the eligibility requirements, please view the information below on the type of ID you wish to obtain.

• Any person who can prove they are in the U.S. legally and show proof of a physical address in Maine may apply for an official state non-driver identification card.
• The fee is $5
• Please see this webpage for information on obtaining this ID card

In order to obtain a Maine driver’s license, please review the below documents and information before you make an appointment at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office.

In Maine, there are different permitting and licensing requirements and restrictions based on your age group. Therefore, please visit the Maine BMV website to understand the permitting and license process based on your age at the time of your application. Regardless, all applicants will need to complete an application form, pay a $35 fee, complete a vision screening test, and a written and/or road test. For more information on these requirements click here, and to locate your nearest BMV office, click here.

Prove Maine Residency and Address

Any resident seeking to acquire or renew a Maine driver license or Maine non-driver identification card will need to provide documentary evidence of Maine residency. This evidence must contain an actual physical address.

Please bring with you one form of evidence that you live in Maine. Some specific examples are listed below.

• Maine Vehicle Registration or other credential
• Utility Bill – electric bill, water/sewer bill, cell phone bill, etc.
• Contract in their name – e.g. lease/rental agreement, insurance policy, insurance ID card

Note: there are exemptions from providing documentary evidence of Maine residency, which includes an out-of-state resident who is a student enrolled in a university, college or school in Maine. An applicant must provide proof that they qualify for the exemption including an out-of-state residential address. Some examples of proof are:

• • Certified school record/transcript issued by an educational institution in Maine
  • College ID card with no visible signs of irregularity issued by a college or university in Maine
  • Form DS-2019 issued to a J-1 scholar (issued and signed by a school in Maine)
  • Form I-20 issued to an F-1 student (issued and signed by a school in Maine)
    

Prove Legal Presence

You must provide proof of legal presence in the United States to obtain a driver’s license or state ID. For non-citizens with limited duration legal presence, please see the accepted document lists here (scroll down to section titled ‘noncitizens with limited term legal presence’). Some examples of proof are:

• I-94 Arrival/Departure Form showing class of nonimmigrant visa admission, entry date and “D/S” for “duration of status”
• SEVIS forms I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 scholars) properly endorsed/signed by DSO/ARO

Show Two Forms of Identity

One must indicate your date of birth and the other must bear your written signature. Please see here for a full list of acceptable documents. Some examples include:

• Passport
• Social Security Number or Denial Letter**
• Certified school records/transcript
• Birth certificate

**Note: You may be asked to provide your Social Security Card, or a letter showing that you are ineligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). If you do not have a SSN, you must have a denial letter from the Social Security Administration before applying for your Maine driver license. Please note that Northeastern does not provide this letter to students. To obtain this letter, you must follow the instructions on SSA website and apply for a number.