The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reviewed section IR09 of its operating manual for the issuance of licenses and identifications on September 17, 2026, incorporating specific changes regarding the documentation that immigrants can present to verify identity and legal presence.
The update does not replace the complete set of requirements—much of those provisions already existed—but rather introduces specific clarifications and exceptions that should be distinguished from the current general rules.
What changed on September 17th?
The most notable update concerns the I-797 form: the manual has added the possibility to accept certain photocopied receipts when they are used solely to demonstrate legal presence, and the information can be verified through the federal SAVE/VLS system or via USCIS. Until now, the general rule required originals or certified copies.
Los requisitos migratorios cambian con frecuencia y conviene estar al día. En nuestra sección de encontrarás la información más actualizada sobre documentos, visas y trámites que afectan a la comunidad cubana y latina en el país.
The manual also acknowledges electronic I-797 receipts as having the same value as those sent physically; in case of doubts regarding authenticity, the officer must verify the case with USCIS.
Another relevant modification affects the I-766 work permit (EAD): although it may be expired, it can be accepted as proof of identity if the applicant presents other valid documents that verify legal presence. An expired EAD alone is not sufficient to obtain the license.
A section was also created regarding the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), clarifying that those entering under this program are not eligible to obtain the Florida credential under that premise, because the foreign passport must have a U.S. visa affixed to it to be used as a form of identification.
The review also specified that if a permanent resident immigration document contains a photograph of the holder as a baby, it can confirm legal presence but does not meet the identity requirement; in that case, the applicant must obtain an updated card.
What documents can immigrants present?
Beyond the changes in September, the manual regulates a broad catalog based on the immigration category of the applicant.
Permanent residents can use the Green Card (I-551/I-151) for both identity and legal presence. An old card without an expiration date is acceptable; an expired one may also be valid if the status is verified through VLS.
The asylum seekers are treated as non-immigrants and receive credentials valid for one year; those who have already been granted asylum are classified as immigrants. Individuals with parole can verify their legal presence using the I-512 letter, but that document will not serve for identification purposes starting February 2025.
Specific section for Cubans
The manual includes a section dedicated to the with differentiated requirements. Those in the adjustment process must present an I-94 or another document that verifies inspection, admission, or parole, along with a pending I-485.
When an I-797 related to the I-485 is presented, the manual also requires proof of Cuban nationality. However, that proof does not automatically equate to proof of identity.
The September revision modified this section to include a valid foreign passport with an attached U.S. visa as a relevant document to meet the identity requirement, according to the documents that Florida requires from Cubans undergoing adjustment.
Practical information
All credentials issued to non-immigrants are printed with the word "TEMPORARY." When the immigration status changes, the holder has 30 days to update their records with the FLHSMV by visiting a tax collector's office or a licensing service center.
Verification may require a secondary process through the Central Issuance Processing System (CIPS), which means that it is not always possible to leave the office with the license on the same day.
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