A new Florida law is changing what appears on some driver’s licenses and state identification cards, with the change set to take effect in 2027.
Under HB 991, approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April, Florida will require a driver’s license or state ID issued to a U.S. citizen to include that person’s legal citizenship status when the card is newly issued, renewed or replaced. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2027.
The law also requires Florida to provide a free replacement or renewal card when someone becomes a U.S. citizen and timely updates their legal status.
What about noncitizens?
This is where the story needs a little clarification.
Reports about the law have said that noncitizens will receive an “NC” designation, meaning “Not a Citizen.” However, the final statutory language I found specifically requires the citizenship-status designation on cards issued to people recorded as U.S. citizens; it does not spell out “NC” in the text of HB 991 itself.
So I would not write that “NC” is already appearing on Florida licenses or present a mock-up as the official card design.
What happens to your current license?
If you have a valid Florida driver’s license or state ID today, you do not need to replace it immediately because of this law.
The new requirement applies when a qualifying card is newly issued, renewed or replaced after the requirement takes effect.
The law is already on the books, but the new card requirement does not begin until July 1, 2027.
For South Florida’s large immigrant and Haitian communities, the change is likely to receive close attention as the implementation date approaches.
