IDs and documents

How to get an ID or a driver's license in New York, and a Social Security number or an ITIN. We also explain how to replace lost immigration papers, get documents translated and change your name or gender marker.

This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.

• 1IDNYC, the city ID card
• 2Lost, damaged or wrong immigration documents
• 3SSN and ITIN: numbers for work and taxes
• 4New York State driver's license and ID
• 5Your case papers: keeping them safe and getting copies
• 6Translations, copies and documents from abroad
• 7Flying inside the US: which ID you need
• 8Changing your name and gender marker

Sources, checked November 2026

• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/frequently-asked-questions/frequently-asked…
• access.nyc.gov/programs/idnyc
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/index.page
• nyc.gov/assets/idnyc/downloads/pdf/idnyc_applicant_document_gu…
• dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/driver-licenses-and-the-green-light-…
• dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/prepare-for-and-take-your-permit-test
• dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/fees-refunds
• dmv.ny.gov/forms/id44.pdf
• dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv44.pdf
• dmv.ny.gov/DocumentGuide
• dmv.ny.gov/make-reservation-1
• dmv.ny.gov/non-driver-id/get-a-non-driver-id
• dmv.ny.gov/non-driver-id/non-driver-id-fees-and-refunds
• spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2025/12/23/feder…
• clearinghouse.net/case/46112
• tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
• tsa.gov/confirmid
• uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-765instr.pdf
• ssa.gov/number-card/request-number-first-time
• irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number
• irs.gov/tin/itin/itin-supporting-documents
• irs.gov/tin/itin/how-to-apply-for-an-itin
• irs.gov/tin/itin/irs-taxpayer-assistance-centers-with-itin-ser…
• maketheroadny.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Immigrant-Taxpaye…
• tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/d-c-circuit-blocks-irs-from-sharin…
• law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/8/103.2
• law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/8/1003.33
• uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance/tips-for-filing-forms-by-mail
• dos.ny.gov/notary-public-license-law-0
• dos.ny.gov/notary-public-frequently-asked-questions
• dos.ny.gov/notary-public
• dos.ny.gov/office-new-americans
• respondcrisistranslation.org/en/need-support
• respondcrisistranslation.org
• dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/change-information-on-dmv-photo-docu…
• transequality.org/documents/new-york-identity-documents
• nycourts.gov/help/diy-forms/adult-name-change-petition-program
• nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s4402/amendment/b
• srlp.org/resources/namechange
• srlp.org/legal-services
• uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/2…
• transequality.org/documents/immigration-documents
• transequality.org/documents/know-your-rights-social-security
• transequality.org/documents/know-your-rights-passports
• cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94
• uscis.gov/records/request-records-through-the-freedom-of-infor…
• acis.eoir.justice.gov/en
• justice.gov/eoir/contact-eoir
• a069-idnyconlineportal.nyc.gov/IOPWeb
• dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/driving-in-new-york-state
• dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/schedule-and-take-a-road-test
• dos.ny.gov/apostille-certificate-authentication
• dos.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2026/09/notary-public-licens…
• first.uscis.gov
• i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
• transequality.org/documents
• transequality.org/name-change-project
• travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/unique-needs/sex-markers.h…
• congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11413
• hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/apost…
• irs.gov/tin/itin/individual-taxpayer-identification-number-itin
• justice.gov/eoir/ROPrequest
• justice.gov/eoir/foia-submit-a-request
• justice.gov/eoir/respondent-access-portal-frequently-asked-que…
• law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/8/1003.15
• law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1158
• law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1304
• nyc.gov/site/doh/services/birth-death-records-corrections-birt…
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/about/about.page
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/benefits/benefits.page
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/how-to-apply.page
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/locations.page
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/card/renew-your-idnyc-card.page
• nycourts.gov/help/name-change-andor-sex-designation-change/nam…
• nycourts.gov/help/name-change-andor-sex-designation-change/sex…
• nycourts.gov/help/representing-yourself-court/fee-waivers
• nycourts.gov/new-york-city-civil-court/nyc-civil-court-directory
• nycourts.gov/new-york-city-civil-court/nyc-civil-court-name-an…
• nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVR/62
• nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVR/63
• nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVR/64-A
• ssa.gov/life-events/change-name
• ssa.gov/number-card/replace-card
• ssa.gov/personal-record
• ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf
• ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm
• uscis.gov/addresschange
• uscis.gov/archive/automatic-employment-authorization-document-…
• uscis.gov/file-online/how-to-create-a-uscis-online-account
• uscis.gov/g-1055
• uscis.gov/i-102
• uscis.gov/i-131
• uscis.gov/i-765
• uscis.gov/i-90
• uscis.gov/i-912
• uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-1-part-e-chapter-5
• uscis.gov/tools/uscis-tools-and-resources/immigration-document…
• hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41
• uscis.gov/contactcenter
• irs.gov/forms-pubs/order-products
• ssa.gov/blog/en/posts/2026-02-23.html
• ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-interpreter.htm
• taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/notices/irs-tax-law-phone-line
• nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/language/accessplan/…
• nycourts.gov/help/representing-yourself-court/language-help-in…
• nyc.gov/site/idnyc/about/privacy-and-confidentiality.page
• newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/tsa-data-800-ice-arrests…
• legalservicesnyc.org/resources/lgbtq-rights
• legalservicesnyc.org/get-help-with-a-legal-issue