I am an F-1 student in Texas who recently completed a Change of Status from H-4; what specific documents do I need to provide at the DPS to obtain a state ID, and will my current status documentation be considered sufficient?
You can get a Texas ID with your current documentation. Texas DPS accepts an expired visa as long as you have a valid passport, an I-20, and a valid I-94.
You can cross this worry off your list. Texas DPS policy explicitly states that the visa in your passport can be valid or expired, so your existing H-4 visa will not block you from getting your ID.
You asked what specific documents you need to provide at the DPS. You must bring your passport, your {"term": "i-20", "text": "I-20"}, your Form I-94, a current enrollment letter, a completed application, your Social Security card (if you have one), and two items proving your current address (such as a lease or utility bill).
You asked if Texas DPS rules require a physical F-1 visa stamp in your passport. They do not. Texas DPS policy requires a visa, but explicitly states that the visa 'may be valid or expired.' Your current status documentation is sufficient as long as you provide the required valid I-94, passport, and I-20.
You asked whether a USCIS-issued Form I-797 approval notice for a Change of Status to F-1 is sufficient proof of lawful presence. The provided documents do not state whether the I-797 itself is accepted as proof of lawful presence; they require a valid I-94, an I-20, an unexpired passport, and a visa.
Government agencies use the {"term": "save", "text": "SAVE system"} to verify your status. Sometimes the officer cannot immediately verify a student visa status. If this happens, politely ask to speak with a supervisor. If they still cannot verify it, DPS will initiate a secondary verification process.
