Starting July 1, Florida will roll out a new driver’s license and state ID rule: these cards will now show whether the holder is a U.S. citizen. This comes from HB 991, the elections bill Governor Ron DeSantis signed back in April. The update only affects new applications and renewals. If you already have a license or Florida ID, you don’t need to worry about rushing to the DMV, as your current card stays valid.
HB 991 isn’t just about citizenship on IDs. It actually brings several big changes to Florida’s Election Code. Voter registration applicants now need to confirm they’re U.S. citizens, and if someone lies, they face criminal penalties. The legislation also tightens what counts as acceptable voter identification, so debit cards, student IDs, and several others are off the list.
The law forbids political parties and candidates from accepting contributions from foreign nationals, and it introduces new fines and penalties for violations. Another change: the state must share voter registration lists with federal courts to help choose juries, and courts will return information about voters who are ineligible, whether that’s from convictions, death, or non-U.S. citizenship. The bill also creates a five-year statute of limitations for prosecuting election-related felonies.
Candidates now have to affirm U.S. citizenship and disclose any dual citizenship, and those aiming for federal office must say if they plan to trade stocks while serving, unless through a blind trust or similar setup.
As for the citizenship status on driver’s licenses and state IDs, if someone becomes a U.S. citizen, they can get a new card for free; just let the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles know.
This update starts July 1, one among nearly 90 new laws. HB 991 goes into full force on January 1, 2027.
Click here to read more about the story, including a link to all of the new laws.
