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Basics

Guide for Immigrants | About Austin | Driver's Licenses and ID Cards | Passports
Police Hotline | Public Schools | Social Security Cards | Taxes | Transportation


Welcome to the U.S.

A Guide for New Immigrants

About Austin

Everything Austin
Move to Austin (Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce)

Driver's Licenses and ID Cards

The Texas Department of Public Safety issues driver's licenses and identification cards.
Driver's license customer service phone: 512-424-2600
Driver's license e-mail: License.issuance@txdps.state.tx.us

The driver's license offices in Austin are:

Austin North Lamar
6121 N. Lamar Blvd.
512-424-2076
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Austin South
4719 S. Congress Ave.
512-444-5241
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

RENEWAL AND DUPLICATE LICENSES ONLY
Austin Capitol
1500 N. Congress Ave.
512-936-2100
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Austin Northwest
13730 Research Blvd.
512-335-8131
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Passports

To obtain a U.S. passport, you must be a U.S. citizen. You can apply for a U.S. passport in Austin at various U.S. Post Offices. Visit Where to Apply for a Passport Nationwide to look up the street address and phone number for the office nearest you.

A thorough explanation of the process is available at U.S. Department of State Passport Services and Information.

For more information, you may call the U.S. State Department:

  • General Info: 713-751-0924
  • Detailed Info: 900-225-5674
  • TTY: 900-225-7778
  • Applying with credit card: 888-362-8668
  • TTY: 888-498-3648

Police Hotline

Tu Voz, Austin Police Department Immigrant Hotline
Provides sources of information and referral about services to immigrants
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1:00pm-6:00pm
512-974-8521

Public Schools

All students new to the Austin Independent School District must provide a birth certificate, current records of immunization, and the child's last report card, if he or she previously attended school. To determine which school your child will attend, call the Office of Student Services, 414-1726. You may find more information at Information for AISD Parents. En español, Para los Padres.

Social Security Cards

U.S. citizens, individuals authorized to work in the United States, and permanent resident children of either are eligible for Social Security cards.

Social Security Office
1029 Camino La Costa
Austin, TX 78752
512-206-3700
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
For more information, you may visit the Immigration and Social Security page online, or call:

  • General Information: 800-772-1213
  • TTY: 800-325-0778

Taxes

If you live and work, or receive personal income in the United States, you must submit a personal tax return to the Internal Revenue Service once a year. Some states also have income tax, but Texas does not. IRS en Español.

Internal Revenue Service
825 East Rundberg Ln., Ste H-4
Austin, TX 78758
Languages: English, Spanish

IRS telephone numbers:

  • Tax Forms, 1-800-829-3676
  • Tax Help, 1-800-829-1040
  • TTY Tax Questions, 1-800-829-4059
  • Local Taxpayer Advocate, 512-499-5875
  • Local Area Office, 512-499-5127

There are some nonprofit organizations that will help you prepare your tax return during the spring before April 15, the last day you can mail a tax return without a penalty.

Transportation

Austin's public bus system is Capital Metro. There are no subways or trains for traveling around Austin.

Capital Metro phone numbers:

  • RideLine (Routes Information): 512-474-1200
  • Special Transit Service Reservations: 512-478-9647

For travel outside of Austin, there are a bus station, a train station, and airport in Austin.

Bus (travel between cities and states)
Greyhound
Fare & Schedule Information: 1-800-231-2222
Español: 1-800-531-5332
Terminal Address: 916 E. Koenig Ln.

Train
Amtrak
Reservations & Schedule: 1-800-872-7245
Station: 250 N. Lamar Blvd.

Air
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Information: 512-530-ABIA (2242)
3600 Presidential Boulevard
Austin, Texas 78719


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