Understanding Legal Status: Examples and How to Prove It

When a court makes a decision about what will happen to a participant, it determines their legal status. Examples of legal states include adjudged, under crown guardianship, cessation of parental authority, parental custody, and temporary custody. During the course of a legal case or action, a participant's legal status may change. Legal status is the state defined by law.

It is the position of an entity. For example, citizenship and marital status. Citizenship is the status of a citizen with rights and duties. Marital status is the condition of being married or single. You'll need to demonstrate your legal status when looking for work, applying for a learner's permit or driver's license, or filing certain immigration petitions and requests.

It is also possible that the U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials at any time may ask you to provide proof of your legal status. But how can you prove your legal situation? Below, we share different options that count as proof of your legal status in the U.

Proof of Legal Status in the U. S.

If you were born in the U. S., you are automatically a citizen and can use your birth certificate as proof of your legal status in the country. If you are a permanent resident of the United States (holder of a green card), you are legally authorized to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. A valid permanent resident card (Form I-55) can be used to prove your legal status in the country.

Both new (issued after May 1, 2018) and old versions of a green card can be used to establish its legal status. The new version of the green card contains your photo and therefore serves as photo identification. It also contains your name, date of birth, U. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) number, document expiration date and laser-engraved fingerprint. Previous versions of the green card contain the same information plus your foreign registration number (A number).An employment authorization card (EAD), more commonly known as a work permit, gives non-immigrants an authorization to work in the United States on a temporary basis.

If you have an employment authorization card, you can use it to establish your legal presence in the U. S.This card includes your photograph on the front and back, your legal name, your USCIS number, your EAD card number, your date of birth, your fingerprints, and the expiration date of the document.

Proof of Legal Status from Other Countries

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States but have been admitted to the country as a non-immigrant from another country, you must provide proof of your legal status in that country. A passport issued by one of these countries can be used to establish your legal status in the United States. In addition to a passport, you must also submit Form I-94 or Form I-94A to indicate your admission to the country as a non-immigrant. You can also use Form I-20 (certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant students) to prove your legal status in the United States. Form I-20 must be accompanied by Form I-94 or Form I-094A.

In addition, the document must be supported by a designated school official to illustrate employment authorization for curricular practical training.

When You Need To Prove Your Legal Status

If you want to buy health insurance in the United States, you must establish your legal status. If you are thinking of opening a bank account (checking or savings) in a U. financial institution, you must establish your legal status in the U. S.

If you apply for any type of loan (car, personal, student, or mortgage, for example), you will be asked to demonstrate your legal status. If you ever interact with law enforcement officials, you will be required to prove your legal status in the U. If you ever meet with ICE officials, you will likely be asked to present proof of your legal status.