Question about renewing driver s license and green card during naturalization. Should I renew my green card in this situation?

You are required to have a minimum of 6 months remaining validity on your green card at the time you apply for naturalization. Anybody with an ounce of sense makes sure they have at least a year remaining on their green card (and on their passport from their country of citizenship!). There are all kinds of possibilities for delays in naturalization process, and all kinds of emergencies have been known to happen where someone needs to travel (e.g. home to relatives with medical emergency, job travel, etc.). And of course, one has to pay attention to things like renewal dates for driver's license, etc.

Absolutely renew your green card since you know you will not complete the naturalization process AND actually receive either Certificate of Naturalization or US passport before your current GC expires. You've left that rather late since it often takes 6 months or more to get your new GC anyway. However, if you have applied for renewal, an official receipt for renewal might be acceptable for renewing your driver's license. Since you work as a truck driver, there is NO way you can work without holding a currently valid driver's license.


BTW, when you do finally naturalize, it might seem expensive, but getting both Certificate of Naturalization AND US passport is a wise investment. Keep both in a very safe place, e.g. bank safe deposit box, except when actually in use. This way, if your passport is ever lost/stolen, you have proof of citizenship while getting a replacement passport. When you're older & no longer traveling, therefore no longer spending money on passport renewals, you still have proof of citizenship. It is always wise to have back-up.

And always wise to apply to renew about 6 months prior to expiration. Pay attention, and you save a lot of money, time, aggravation. Right now, you're in for extra expense & aggro for failing to file for GC renewal - or else getting your citizenship - a whole lot sooner. Not to mention risk of losing your job if you fail to renew your driver's license before June.

Yes, you should still be legally in the United States and obeying all laws if you want to become a citizen.

You need to keep both up to date

You can not apply for citizenship with an expired green card.

You must have a valid US PR ID card to complete the naturalization process. Do not fail to renew it. If you do simply let it expire then you may have to start the naturalization process over, and also pay the fees again.

Go in person to a driving license office in your state to ask about options regarding renewing your license.