Driver’s licenses and identification cards issued in Florida will begin displaying the legal immigration status of holders starting January 1, 2027, under new legislation signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as part of a sweeping election security package.
The measure, House Bill 991, forms part of the broader Florida SAVE Act, which state officials say is designed to strengthen voter verification and election security systems.
Under the law, all new, renewed and replacement driver’s licenses and state identification cards issued on or after January 1, 2027, will indicate whether the holder is a U.S. citizen or has another legal immigration status. Existing licenses will remain valid until their expiration dates, and residents will not be required to immediately replace current documents.
The change will be phased in as Floridians renew or replace their licenses beginning in 2027.
Miami-Dade tax office calls move “significant step”
Dariel Fernandez, Miami-Dade County Tax Collector, whose office administers driver’s license and identification services in the county, described the law as a major modernization of identification systems.
“My office is at the center of many of these processes because we handle driver licenses and identification services for our residents,” Fernandez said in a statement.
He added that including legal status on identification documents represents “a significant step toward greater transparency and accountability in government records.”
Fernandez said his office is “proactively evaluating how these changes will be implemented locally” and pledged a “smooth transition for residents.”
State leaders defend election overhaul
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd said the law continues the state’s post-2020 election reforms.
“Since 2020, Florida has enacted more significant election integrity reforms than any other state in the country,” Byrd said. “The Florida SAVE Act upholds the Florida Constitution by ensuring only citizens can vote in Florida elections.”
Florida Senator Erin Grall said the legislation improves accountability while streamlining voter systems.
“While Florida already conducts some of the most secure elections in the country, we will continue to raise the bar and set the national standard,” said Florida Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka. “This legislation ensures that only eligible voters participate in our elections and that voters can have full confidence in the results.”
What the law changes
The Florida SAVE Act includes several major provisions affecting voter registration, election administration and candidate requirements:
- Requires verification of U.S. citizenship using REAL ID data for new and updated voter registrations
- Establishes a process to identify and remove potentially ineligible noncitizens from voter rolls
- Expands coordination between state and local agencies to maintain accurate voter databases
- Requires voting to be conducted using paper ballots for a verifiable audit trail
- Increases documentation and disclosure requirements for candidates, including dual citizenship declarations and stock trading disclosures
- Establishes a five-year statute of limitations for felony election offenses
- Prohibits foreign contributions to candidates, political committees and parties
State officials say the legislation builds on reforms enacted since 2020, including stricter vote-by-mail ID requirements, limits on ballot harvesting, bans on unsolicited ballot applications and the creation of the Office of Election Crimes and Security in 2022.
The new identification format will begin rolling out January 1, 2027, as residents renew or replace their driver’s licenses and ID cards.
