North Dakota driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

North Dakota requires every applicant to show proof of identity, date of birth, and legal presence in the United States for a driver license or state ID, and it has no program for undocumented residents — there is no AB60-style undocumented-license category here. But lawfully-present non-citizens can get a license or ID: permanent residents, work-permit (EAD) holders, valid-visa holders with an I-94, and refugees or asylees all qualify with the right document. (As of June 30, 2026.)

Quick answer

  • Undocumented DL access: NO — proof of identity, date of birth, and legal presence is required for every applicant
  • Lawfully-present non-citizens: YES — permanent residents, EAD holders, valid-visa holders with an I-94 (including F-1/J-1 students with an I-20 or DS-2019), and refugees/asylees qualify
  • SSN rule: required if you have one; waived only for a nonimmigrant who is not eligible for an SSN, or by an affidavit that no SSN was assigned. SSNs are verified with the Social Security Administration
  • Non-driver state ID: YES — no fee for adults 18 and older; $8.00 under 18; $8.00 replacement
  • Non-commercial driver license: $15.00 — no longer valid after midnight of your birthday
  • Agency: North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Driver License Division
  • Website: dot.nd.gov
  • Phone: (701) 328-2500 — for help when you cannot provide the required residence documents, NDDOT lists (855) 633-6835

Which immigration statuses qualify in North Dakota

Every applicant must show proof of identity, date of birth, and legal presence in the United States by presenting one document from North Dakota’s accepted list. The documents that establish identity and legal presence include:

  • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
  • A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (green card)
  • A valid, unexpired Employment Authorization card (temporary status)
  • A valid, unexpired foreign passport with an I-94 (temporary status) — the proof-of-identification list adds that an I-20 or DS-2019 is required if applicable (for F-1/J-1 students and exchange visitors)
  • An I-94 card stamped Refugee or Asylee (temporary status)
  • (For U.S. citizens: U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or passport card, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad)

So permanent residents, EAD/work-permit holders, valid-visa holders who have an I-94, and refugees or asylees can be issued a North Dakota credential. Undocumented residents cannot — North Dakota issues no driver license or ID without documented legal presence.

The Social Security number rule

North Dakota’s “Proof of Social Security Number” requirement reads, on both the driver-license and ID-card pages:

You must provide your Social Security number, unless you are a nonimmigrant who is not eligible for a Social Security number or you provide an affidavit stating that you were not assigned a social security number.

The application steps page adds that all applications must contain a Social Security number, that Social Security numbers are verified with the Social Security Administration, and that the number is not used as the license or ID card number. The statutory basis cited on the proof-of-identification document is NDCC 39-06-07 and 39-06-03.1.

Note the difference from many other states: North Dakota’s waiver is the nonimmigrant exception or the affidavit — its pages do not mention an SSA “letter of ineligibility” (Form SSA-L676). If you have an SSN, proof can be your Social Security card, a W-2, an SSA-1099, a Non-SSA-1099, or a pay stub showing your name and SSN.

Documents you must bring

Apply in person and bring originals or certified copies only — photocopies and hospital birth certificates are not accepted. You generally need:

  1. One identity + legal-presence document from the list above (green card, EAD, foreign passport with I-94 [+ I-20/DS-2019 if applicable], or I-94 stamped Refugee/Asylee). A foreign passport is accepted only when it is accompanied by an I-94 — a passport alone is not enough.
  2. Proof of your SSN (Social Security card, W-2, SSA-1099, Non-SSA-1099, or a pay stub with your name and SSN), unless the nonimmigrant/affidavit exception applies.
  3. Two current documents showing your name and physical North Dakota address (PO boxes are not accepted) — for example a property tax statement, mortgage/lease/rental document, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, a utility bill, a school transcript less than six months old, a financial statement, a pay stub, vehicle insurance, or a North Dakota Tribal ID.

If your name differs from the name on your identity document, bring certified proof of the name change. A consular ID / matrícula consular is NOT accepted — it does not appear on any North Dakota accepted-document list. Out-of-state and foreign licenses are not accepted as proof of name or date of birth, and any out-of-state or foreign license must be surrendered.

Fees and how long the credential lasts

  • Non-commercial permit or license: $15.00
  • Written test: $5.00 · Road test: $5.00
  • Duplicate license or permit: $8.00 (or $3.00 for a name or address change only)
  • Commercial permit or license: $15.00, plus $3.00 per endorsement
  • Non-Domiciled CDL: $20.00, plus $3.00 per endorsement
  • Non-driver state ID: no fee for adults 18 and older; $8.00 if under 18; $8.00 replacement

Term and renewal: a license is no longer valid after midnight of your birthday. You may renew up to 10 months before expiration without losing remaining time, and a knowledge and road test are required if your license has been expired more than one year.

A note on limited-term credentials: because legal-presence documents must be valid and unexpired, keep your immigration documents current. North Dakota’s pages set a federal one-year cap and a “Non-Domiciled” designation specifically for commercial (CDL) credentials (such as H-2A, H-2B, and E-2 workers). For a non-commercial license or ID, the primary pages do not state an explicit immigration-tied limited term — confirm the validity period for your status with NDDOT when you apply.

What is REAL ID?

REAL ID is the federal standard now in effect for boarding domestic flights and entering many federal facilities. A REAL ID-marked card (gold star) is issued only when you present federal-grade identity, legal-presence, and residency documents — the same kinds of documents North Dakota already requires above. Confirm REAL ID specifics with NDDOT before you visit.

How to apply in North Dakota

  1. Confirm you have a qualifying identity + legal-presence document (see the list above).
  2. Gather your documents — one identity/legal-presence document, proof of your SSN if you have one, and two proofs of your physical North Dakota address.
  3. Book an appointment — an appointment is needed for all services. Use the NDDOT Online Scheduler at dot.nd.gov, and fill out the Driver License Pre-Application ahead of time. Use the Find a Site tool to locate the nearest North Dakota Driver License Site.
  4. Apply in person and bring originals or certified copies (no photocopies).
  5. Take the knowledge, vision, and road tests if you are a first-time driver license applicant.
  6. Pay the fee — $15.00 for a non-commercial license; the non-driver ID is free for adults 18+ ($8.00 under 18).

If you cannot provide the required residence documents, NDDOT directs you to call (855) 633-6835 for guidance on potential alternatives. The Driver License Division’s mailing address is 608 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND 58505-0700; the main NDDOT line is (701) 328-2500.

If you are undocumented or cannot get an SSN

North Dakota has no driver-privilege card for undocumented residents. Practical alternatives:

  • Use your foreign passport as primary ID for banking, employment (with an EAD), and federal flights.
  • Get a matrícula consular from your home-country consulate (see Consulates in North Dakota).
  • Use an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained in your home country before travel — useful for short-term visitors, not a substitute for a North Dakota license once you are a resident.
  • Open an ITIN-friendly bank account to bank without an SSN.
  • Consider an AB60-equivalent state if you must drive regularly (CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA).

Last verified: 2026-06-30. Sources: NDDOT — Driver License Requirements, ID Card Requirements, Drivers from Other Nations, Driver License Renewal, and the Proof of Identification Documents PDF.

General procedural information. DMV policies, fees, and document requirements change frequently — verify with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division before visiting. Not legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.