Nebraska REAL ID for Immigrants: DMV Requirements and Step-by-Step Guide

(NEBRASKA) Nebraska will keep issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards to Non-U.S. citizens with lawful status, and the card’s gold star matters for flights and many federal buildings. If you plan to fly domestically or enter certain federal facilities, getting the right card now prevents last-minute problems after May 7, 2025.

Non-U.S. citizens in Nebraska who hold a green card, a valid visa status, or a current Employment Authorization Document (EAD) can apply in person at the Nebraska DMV. Nebraska does not limit REAL ID only to citizens and permanent residents, and the state ties the card’s expiration date to your immigration document.

What the Nebraska REAL ID gold star does — and what it doesn’t

A Nebraska REAL ID is a state driver’s license or ID card that meets federal standards under the REAL ID Act. The Nebraska version has a gold star (or gold-outlined star) near the top corner.

After May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another federally accepted document to:
– Board domestic flights, and
– Enter certain federal facilities.

A REAL ID is not a passport and does not change immigration status. It only changes what identification is accepted for federal purposes.

Nebraska DMV Director Rhonda Lahm said the state reached 99.5% REAL ID compliance by late 2025, after Nebraska began identity and lawful-status checks early (starting in 2009). High compliance means most offices are used to the process, but it does not remove the need to bring the correct documents.

Important: Getting the correct REAL ID now prevents last-minute problems after May 7, 2025.

Eligibility and how Nebraska handles noncitizen applicants

Nebraska issues REAL ID to Non-U.S. citizens who can prove lawful status. The DMV checks many cases through the federal SAVE system, which verifies immigration records with the Department of Homeland Security.

Key points:
– The Nebraska REAL ID expiration is tied to your immigration document. If your E-3 visa ends in December 2026, your REAL ID will expire then too.
– If you recently moved to Nebraska with a license from another state, you must apply for a Nebraska license within 30 days.
– An out-of-state REAL ID-compliant license may serve as identity proof only; it does not replace your immigration documents.

Document checklist: what to carry to the DMV counter

Nebraska requires original or certified documents. Photocopies usually won’t work. Documents must match your current legal name. If you changed your name, bring a certified marriage license, divorce decree, or court-ordered name change.

Bring items in three groups:

1) Lawful status and identity (primary proof)

Bring one primary document that shows your name and date of birth, and ideally includes a photo. Common examples:

• An unexpired foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa plus your Form I-94 or I-94A arrival/departure record from U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Get an I-94.
• A valid, unexpired Form I-766 Employment Authorization Document (EAD): Form I-766.
• A Form I-551 Permanent Resident Card (green card): Form I-551.
• A valid I-551 stamp in your foreign passport.

Nebraska also accepts other USCIS documents that can be verified through SAVE.

Note the Nebraska rule effective May 29, 2015: if you present an I-94 in a foreign passport or an I-766, you must also present a second identity or lawful-status document or a supporting Form I-797 Notice of Action. Use the official USCIS page for: Form I-797.

2) Social Security Number, or an SSN exemption

If you have an SSN, you must disclose it. Nebraska can accept:
– Your Social Security card
– A W-2
– A pay stub or earnings statement that shows your SSN

Some applicants qualify for an SSN exemption. The Nebraska DMV list includes a valid, unexpired I-94 or I-94A in a foreign passport as an exempting document, and the DMV verifies information with the Social Security Administration.

3) Nebraska residency (two separate proofs)

Bring at least two documents showing your full name and current Nebraska principal address. Common options:
– Utility bill
– Rental or lease agreement
– Bank statement
– School transcript or report card
– Vehicle registration or title
– Home, renter’s, or auto insurance policy
– Mortgage document
– Tax document

For the DMV’s full document rules and checklist, see: Nebraska DMV document verification requirements.

The in-person REAL ID journey in Nebraska — step by step

Nebraska requires an in-person visit for first-time REAL ID issuance. There is no full online application for first issuance.

Step 1: Build a clean document packet (same day, at home)

• Match names and dates across documents.
• Pack immigration papers and two residency proofs, all originals.
• If you use an I-94, print it from the CBP site and keep it with your passport.

Step 2: Confirm your lawful status record is current (before the visit)

• If you recently extended or changed status, or received a new EAD, bring the newest approval notice or card.
• Nebraska verifies many cases through SAVE; older documents can slow verification at the counter.
• Asylum seekers with a valid EAD qualify under the same EAD-based document rules.

Step 3: Visit a Nebraska DMV licensing office (same day, in person)

• Go to any driver’s licensing location (examples: Lincoln, Grand Island, North Platte).
• Appointments can reduce waiting time. Use the state site for locations and services: Nebraska DMV.
• At the counter you will complete the application and attest to your status (e.g., “I am not a U.S. citizen but have lawful status”).
• The DMV reviews documents and checks lawful status through SAVE.

Step 4: Complete required screenings and tests (same visit)

• You will take a vision screening.
• Written or road tests apply if you are a new driver or your out-of-state license is expired.
• Bring corrective lenses if you need them.

Step 5: Pay the fee and choose delivery (same day or by mail)

• Fees vary by license type. Nebraska lists a standard Class D license at about $23–$30 for 5 years.
• The REAL ID upgrade is often free with renewal.
• You may receive the REAL ID the same day or it may be mailed. When issued, check for the gold star and confirm the expiration date matches your immigration document.

Timeframes and common pinch points for immigrants

Most delays come from document mismatches, not from REAL ID itself. Common problems include:
– Name differences across passport, I-94, and bank statement.
– Expiring immigration documents — the REAL ID will expire on the same date.
– SSN-related issues — bring a document that shows your SSN, or an exempting I-94 if applicable.

If documents don’t match, you may need to return with certified records. Renew or extend immigration status when allowed; an expired immigration document blocks card renewal.

VisaVerge.com notes that states with clear checklists reduce repeat DMV visits — but only when applicants treat the document list like a packing list, not a suggestion.

What to expect from authorities, and how to protect your records

• The DMV will review originals, enter your data, and verify immigration status through SAVE when required.
• Keep copies at home, but bring originals to the appointment.
• When the card arrives, confirm the gold star and the expiration date.
• If you later receive a new approval, update your record at renewal so your REAL ID matches your current lawful status.

Key takeaway: Prepare a complete, well-matched packet of original documents, confirm your immigration status is current, and expect in-person processing. That will minimize delays and ensure you receive a REAL ID that works for domestic flights and federal facility access after May 7, 2025.