Updates

Michigan Driver’s License – Update – May 29th, 2008

At the beginning of 2008 the State of Michigan shocked foreign residents with the news that only U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents (i.e. green card holders) would be allowed to obtain a Michigan driver’s license. Thankfully, many international employers intervened and this decision was quickly repealed.

Unfortunately, it is still not as easy to apply for a driver’s license as it once was. All applicants now have to provide documentation for the following:

A valid Social Security number oR letter of ineligibility from the Social Security office.
Legal presence in the U.S.
Identity
Michigan residency (at least 2 proofs)

The following link will take you to a document that will outline which documents are acceptable:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/sos/Applying_for_lic_or_ID_SOS_428_222146_7.pdf

Foreign documents like driver’s licenses and passport that do not include an English translation have to be translated by a company that does translations as normal part of their business (you cannot translate them yourself even if your English is perfect). The translation has to be printed on company letterhead, dated, and signed by the translator. A copy of the original must be stapled to the translation. The translator has to be available by phone in case that there are any questions.

One more tip: If at all possible, go to a Secretary of State office that has plenty of experience with foreign nationals. Some people have found that the requirements / level of knowledge change not only from branch office to branch office but even from employee to employee.