(ALABAMA) If you live in Alabama on a valid nonimmigrant visa, you can get a STAR ID—Alabama’s REAL ID—by showing four original documents and visiting an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) driver license exam office. STAR ID has mattered for domestic flights and many federal facilities since May 7, 2025, and the same rules carry into 2026 travel.
For visa holders, the STAR ID process often turns on one point: proving lawful status with the right immigration document set, then matching your card’s expiration to your authorized stay. Plan this as a short, document-heavy appointment, not a long test.
STAR ID and REAL ID in Alabama: what the card changes for travel
A STAR ID is Alabama’s version of the federal REAL ID standard. You’ll know you received it because the credential shows a gold star on the front (Alabama places it on the left side).
If you show up at an airport checkpoint without a REAL ID-compliant credential, you need another acceptable identity document. Many visa holders already carry an alternative, such as an unexpired foreign passport. Still, STAR ID is the simplest everyday option for people who drive and fly inside the United States 🇺🇸.
Non-STAR Alabama cards issued after April 25, 2022 are marked “Not for Federal Identification.” That label matters when you try to use the card for federal identification purposes.
Key takeaway: A STAR ID (gold star) replaces the older, non-federal card for federal ID purposes. If your card says Not for Federal Identification, it will not be accepted at many federal checkpoints.
Who qualifies in Alabama as a visa holder
Alabama follows federal REAL ID standards for temporary lawful residents. That means visa holders with valid status can apply, including people in work-authorized or study categories.
Examples specifically accepted in practice include:
– Employment-based classifications: E-3, H-1B, L-1, O-1
– Student and exchange categories: F-1, J-1, M-1
– Other temporary lawful residents who can document valid status
A key Alabama detail: the STAR ID expiration generally tracks your lawful presence end date shown in your immigration record. If your authorized stay ends in December 2026, your STAR ID typically expires in December 2026 as well. VisaVerge.com reports that this alignment is one of the most common surprises for newcomers who expect a standard multi-year state license term.
The four documents Alabama requires (originals only)
Bring original documents only. Photocopies don’t work. Also make sure your documents match your current legal name. If your name changed, bring the legal proof, such as a marriage certificate.
Alabama’s STAR ID checklist is best approached as four buckets, with exactly what you need in each bucket.
1) Identity and date of birth (pick one)
Bring one of the following:
– Unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa plus your most recent I-94 record
– Employment Authorization Document (EAD), such as Form I-766 or Form I-688B
– Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), Form I-551 (if applicable)
Helpful official links:
– Retrieve your I-94 from U.S. Customs and Border Protection at I-94 Official Website.
– USCIS EAD information for Form I-766, Employment Authorization Document.
– USCIS information for Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card.
2) Social Security number (show the full SSN)
Bring one document showing your full SSN, such as:
– Social Security card
– W-2
– Recent pay stub
3) Alabama residency (two separate proofs)
Bring two different documents that show you live in Alabama. Common choices include:
– Utility bill (water, gas, or electric) that is less than 90 days old
– Current lease or rental agreement
– Vehicle registration
– Bank statement
– Prior-year tax return or residential property tax proof
– Homeowners insurance, school enrollment, or government mail
Choose items with your name and current address printed clearly. If you recently moved, line up two proofs that update quickly, like a utility bill and a bank statement.
4) (Implicit fourth bucket) Name-change or supporting documents
If your name on primary identity documents differs from your residency or SSN documents, bring legal proof of the name change, such as:
– Marriage certificate
– Court order or divorce decree
– Any other official document showing the legal name change
Quick reference table: Document buckets
| Bucket | What to bring (originals only) |
|---|---|
| Identity & DOB | Unexpired foreign passport + I-94, or EAD (I-766/I-688B), or I-551 |
| SSN | Social Security card, W-2, or recent pay stub (must show full SSN) |
| Alabama residency | Two different proofs (utility <90 days, lease, bank statement, etc.) |
| Name-change support | Marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree, if needed |
Step-by-step process, with realistic timeframes
This process is straightforward when your documents are clean and current. The hardest part is usually assembling the right papers in advance.
- Confirm your lawful status record (10 minutes). Pull your most recent I-94 from CBP and check that the admit-until date matches your expectations.
- Build your “four-bucket” document set (30–90 minutes). Pick one identity document, one SSN document, and two Alabama residency proofs, then confirm names and addresses match.
- Book an ALEA exam office visit (5 minutes to schedule). Appointments reduce wait times and avoid pre-deadline style lines.
- Go to an ALEA driver license exam office (10–15 minutes at the counter). STAR ID issuance happens at ALEA exam offices for first-time issuance, not county offices.
- Pay the standard license or ID fee and check for the gold star before leaving (2 minutes). If you are upgrading an existing credential, ask whether the transaction is treated as a replacement, duplicate, or renewal.
Where to apply: ALEA offices versus county offices
For a first STAR ID issuance, Alabama requires you to visit an ALEA Driver License Examining Office. County offices handle some renewals or duplicates, but the initial issuance is done through ALEA.
Start with ALEA’s official STAR ID information page at ALEA STAR ID. For office locations and driver license services, use ALEA Driver License.
When you arrive, present your documents as a complete set. That keeps your transaction short and avoids a return trip.
What ALEA staff check, and why mismatches delay approvals
STAR ID is built around identity integrity. Staff typically check three things fast:
– Identity document validity
– Lawful presence dates (I-94/admit-until)
– Acceptability of Alabama address proofs
Common issues that slow visa holders down include:
– An I-94 that reflects an older entry, while the traveler assumes a newer admit-until date
– A name mismatch between the passport and a lease or utility bill
– Residency documents that are too old, especially utility bills beyond the 90-day window
– Using printouts or copies instead of originals
Treat this like a legal filing. Bring clean originals and keep your documents in a single folder.
If you don’t have STAR ID yet: acceptable travel alternatives
STAR ID is not the only way to meet federal identification rules. For domestic flights, travelers can present other acceptable documents, including an unexpired foreign passport in many cases.
For the federal rules and acceptable documents list, rely on the Transportation Security Administration’s official REAL ID guidance at TSA REAL ID.
That matters for visa holders who prefer not to update a state credential immediately, or who are waiting on a change in status and want to time the STAR ID expiration carefully.
Timing the card’s expiration with your immigration status
Because Alabama aligns STAR ID validity with your authorized stay, the timing can affect convenience. If you renew your status later, you may return sooner than a U.S. citizen would for a new card.
Two practical approaches help:
– Apply when your status document set is stable, so your expiration date is not about to change.
– Keep your newest I-94 accessible, since it often drives the end date more than the visa sticker in your passport.
For many visa holders, the simplest rhythm is “immigration extension first, STAR ID second,” especially when a new I-94 will be issued after travel or a status approval.
What to expect in 2026 in Alabama
STAR ID enforcement has already started, and Alabama’s process stays consistent into 2026: bring the four originals, go to an ALEA exam office for initial issuance, pay the standard fee, and confirm the gold star.
The people who have the smoothest visit treat STAR ID like a compliance checklist, not a casual DMV errand. They show up with originals, matching names, and two strong residency proofs that clearly place them in Alabama.
Visa holders in Alabama must obtain a STAR ID for domestic travel and federal facility access. This requires presenting original documents for identity, Social Security, and residency at an ALEA office. The card’s validity period is tied to the individual’s immigration status expiration. While foreign passports are still accepted for flights, the STAR ID serves as a standardized, compliant state-issued identification for daily use.
