61-12-501. Authority of department to issue identification cards -- lawful presence verification, MCA
  1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 61
  3. CHAPTER 12
  4. Part 5
  5. 61-12-501 Authority of department to issue identification cards -- lawful presence verification

Montana Code Annotated 2025

TITLE 61. MOTOR VEHICLES

CHAPTER 12. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Part 5. Identification Cards

Authority Of Department To Issue Identification Cards -- Lawful Presence Verification

61-12-501. Authority of department to issue identification cards -- lawful presence verification. (1) The department may issue an identification card to any person who provides acceptable documentation of Montana residency and whose presence in the United States is authorized under federal law.

(2) On or after January 1, 2026, an identification card issued pursuant to this section to a citizen of the United States must display an image of an eagle to signify the licensee's status as a United States citizen.

(3) When an applicant who is not a citizen of the United States applies for an identification card, the department shall verify that the applicant is lawfully present in the United States by using the federal systematic alien verification for entitlements program or any other verification program approved by the federal government.

(4) A person may only have one nonvoided driver's license or identification card issued by the department at any time.

(5) As used in this section, "identification card" and "driver's license" include a digital credential.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 53, L. 1971; R.C.M. 1947, 31-170; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 495, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 503, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 346, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 207, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 686, L. 2023; amd. Sec. 31, Ch. 395, L. 2025; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 551, L. 2025.