(LOUISIANA, USA) A Louisiana REAL ID is the gold‑star driver’s license or ID card that works for domestic flights and entry to some federal facilities starting May 7, 2025. If you’re an immigrant with lawful status, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) will issue it when you bring the right originals and your documents match exactly.
Who should apply, and who should not
REAL ID is not required to drive, but it’s the easiest way to meet federal ID rules without carrying a passport. Most green card holders and many visa holders — including workers on H‑1B or L‑1 visas and students in F‑1 or J‑1 status — qualify under the same federal standards used nationwide.
Louisiana also issues standard (non‑REAL ID) licenses and IDs for people who don’t want the gold star or who can’t meet the REAL ID rules. Asylum seekers who only have a work permit are ineligible for REAL ID in Louisiana, although they can still qualify for a standard credential.
Documents OMV will ask to see
The OMV accepts original documents only. Photocopies, scans, and phone photos are rejected at the counter.
Do not bring photocopies or phone photos; originals only. If your name changed, bring documents linking old and new names to avoid delays.
For immigrants, the OMV needs to verify four things:
- Identity
- Lawful U.S. status
- Social Security information
- Louisiana residency
The name on every record must match exactly, because OMV prints your name exactly as it appears on your immigration document. If you changed your name, bring the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order that links the old name to the new one.
Examples of acceptable documents
- Identity and lawful status
- Permanent Resident Card (I‑551) — https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card
- Employment Authorization Document (I‑766) — https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents/employment-authorization-document-ead
- Unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa plus an I‑94 record
- Social Security
- Social Security card, or
- W‑2, or
- Pay stub showing your full SSN, or
- Provide your SSN verbally so OMV can verify via SSOLV
- No SSN
- If you don’t have an SSN, request an ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration and bring the original to OMV.
- Louisiana residency (two proofs required)
- Examples: utility bill, bank statement, lease, mortgage statement, or school fee bill — both must show your name and street address
Step-by-step: from prep to card delivery
Most people finish the process in one office visit and then wait for the card to arrive by mail. Expect OMV to scan and verify your documents on the spot, including electronic Social Security checks. Louisiana does not require appointments, but lines are common — so arrive early and bring extra residency proofs.
Follow this five‑step plan to keep your visit predictable:
Use the Louisiana ExpressLane online pre-application to speed up your visit, and bring originals plus two residency proofs with exactly the same name spelling.
- Confirm you need REAL ID (5 minutes). Look for the gold star on your current credential; if it’s missing, you’re applying for an upgrade.
- Collect originals (30–90 minutes). Print your I‑94 if you entered on a visa, and gather two Louisiana address proofs with identical name spelling.
- Pre‑apply online (10–15 minutes). Use the state’s ExpressLane system at expresslane.dps.louisiana.gov to start a REAL ID application before you show up.
- Visit an OMV office or Public Tag Agent (1–2 hours onsite). Staff will review documents, run checks, take your photo, and collect the fee.
- Leave with a temporary paper, then wait for mailing (10–15 business days). The plastic card typically arrives by mail within that window.
Important: Bring extra residency documents. OMV staff decide if each item meets Louisiana’s checklist.
Fees, expiration dates, and why your status matters
- Fee: Louisiana’s REAL ID driver’s license fee is about $42.75, though totals can vary for duplicates or tests.
- Term: The credential is usually issued for six years. Louisiana offers a permanent option for people age 60 and older.
- Immigration ties: For many immigrants, the credential’s expiration date will track the end date on the underlying immigration record. Short visa validity can mean a shorter ID validity. That’s why OMV checks lawful presence and matches printed information to your passport, I‑551, I‑766, or other federal document.
For the federal rule behind the gold star, see the Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID page at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
Driver’s license testing: what changes for newcomers
If you’re getting a first Louisiana driver’s license, REAL ID does not waive normal driving requirements.
- Expect a vision screening, and for many applicants, written and road tests.
- Bring proof of insurance if you will test in your own vehicle.
- Bring any driver’s education certificate you have.
- A valid out‑of‑state license may help you avoid repeat training, but OMV still needs identity and status documents for REAL ID.
Getting your immigration records ready before you go
Immigration paperwork is the most common reason applicants are delayed.
- If you entered on a visa, download and print your admission record from CBP’s I‑94 site: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.
- Students should bring:
- Passport, I‑94, and
- School document proving status (Form I‑20 for F‑1 or DS‑2019 for J‑1) — see https://www.ice.gov/sevis/schools and https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html.
- Workers often bring:
- Approval notice like I‑797 — https://www.uscis.gov/forms/all-forms/i-797-notice-of-action, plus passport and visa.
- F‑1 OPT applicants usually also need the I‑766 card.
Residency proofs and common fixes for mixed households
Louisiana requires two separate residency documents, and both must show your name and street address. This can be difficult for new arrivals who live with family or roommates and have no bills in their name.
Common solutions:
- Bank statement + lease
- University fee bill + utility bill
Make sure the address and name match exactly. Bring extra proofs because OMV staff decide whether each item meets the checklist.
What to expect at the counter and after you leave
At your visit, OMV will:
- Review each original document and scan it
- Run database checks, including Social Security verification through SSOLV
- Take your photo and issue a temporary paper credential the same day
If something doesn’t match, the fastest fix is usually correcting the name order or spelling across records before returning.
You will leave with a temporary paper credential and wait for the plastic card to be mailed. Keep the temporary paper with you when traveling by car, and keep your passport or other federal ID for flights until the gold‑star card arrives.
Using LOUIE and planning around federal deadlines
Louisiana’s REAL ID Expert tool, LOUIE, helps you preview which documents OMV will accept for your exact immigration category.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com:
- The biggest delays come from last‑minute document surprises, not printing and mailing time.
- If you plan to fly after May 7, 2025, choose one primary federal ID and keep a backup — especially if your immigration status is close to expiring.
- A passport, a permanent resident card, or other federal document still works for TSA screening, even if you keep a standard Louisiana license for driving.
2026 planning: renewals and status changes
As of late 2025, Louisiana has not announced new REAL ID rules beyond the federal enforcement that began May 7, 2025.
- If your visa, I‑94 stay, or work authorization expires, OMV will likely limit the license term to the same end date when you renew.
- Plan renewals early to avoid losing the ability to drive to work, school, medical care, or court dates. Many families find a missing credential becomes an immediate crisis for daily life.
Before you leave home, double‑check these three things:
- Your immigration document is unexpired.
- Your two residency proofs show the same address.
- Your Social Security number is ready for SSOLV verification.
If you pre‑applied on ExpressLane, bring the confirmation. If you need federal access while waiting, carry your passport or green card to avoid wasted trips.
Louisiana is implementing REAL ID requirements for domestic travel and federal access effective May 7, 2025. Lawful immigrants, including H-1B, L-1, and F-1 holders, can apply using original immigration documents and residency proofs. Asylum seekers with work permits are currently excluded from REAL ID eligibility. The process requires an OMV visit and verification of status, with credentials often tied to the applicant’s immigration expiration date.
