Turkish-Speaking Immigration Attorney in Arlington, VA

1. Pick your card. Residents who can document lawful presence get a regular license. REAL ID is optional and costs a one-time $10 on top of the license fee. Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID or another ID such as a passport to board domestic flights, enter secure federal facilities or access military bases. A REAL ID requires one proof of identity, two proofs of Virginia residency, proof of lawful presence and proof of your SSN if one has been issued. All documents must be originals.
2. No proof of lawful presence? Get a Driver Privilege Card. It is a driving credential for Virginia residents who are not U.S. citizens. You must have reported income from Virginia sources, or been claimed as a dependent on a Virginia tax return, in the past 12 months. DMV verifies the income electronically with the Virginia Department of Taxation.
3. Appointments and walk-ins. Book through the DMV appointments page. The Arlington office also lets you reserve a same-day spot or walk in. For a walk-in road skills test, be at the office by 4:30 p.m. on weekdays or 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
4. Take the tests. The two-part knowledge exam is offered in many languages, including Turkish. The road skills test is in English only; you may bring an interpreter who is 18 or older and holds an unexpired U.S. driver's license, and DMV does not provide one. You supply the test vehicle, which needs a valid safety inspection sticker, plates and registration. After a first or second failure you wait 2 days to retest; after a third, you must complete the matching part of a driver education course first.

DMV offices in Arlington

Both DMV customer service centers are open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to noon; DMV's phone is 804-497-7100. The county's DMV Select desk is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and takes credit or debit cards only. The Pentagon DMV office serves Pentagon employees only. Other nearby centers are Alexandria (2681 Mill Road) and Franconia (6306 Grovedale Drive). Hours can change, so check the DMV locations page before you go.

Driver Privilege Card documents

• The Driver and Identification Privilege Card Application
• Two proofs of identity (a Turkish passport can be one of them)
• Two proofs of Virginia residency, such as a lease or a utility bill
• Proof of your SSN if you have one, or your ITIN
• Tax return documentation

Documents must be originals. Anything not in English needs a certified English translation by a professional translator. The card is valid for up to 8 years. First-time applicants 18 and older (before January 1, 2027) pass the knowledge exam and get a learner's permit, then either finish a state-approved driver education program and pass the road test, or hold the permit for at least 60 days and pass the road test.

DMV takes major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cash, checks and money orders.

Virginia DMV states it plainly: drivers 18 and older with a valid license from a country other than those six are not eligible for foreign reciprocity. Türkiye is not on the list.

1. Book an appointment. Bring your Turkish license with your identity and residency documents. Because you will also take the road test, choose the Arlington office at 4150 South Four Mile Run Drive; the Virginia Square office does not give road tests (see the office list).
2. Knowledge exam and vision screening. Choose Turkish for the exam; it is on DMV's official language list.
3. Road skills test. The test is in English. You may bring an interpreter who is 18 or older and holds an unexpired U.S. license.

• Under 18: a foreign license cannot be exchanged, so every standard step applies.
• Driver Privilege Card: if your Turkish license is valid or expired less than a year ago, a Driver Privilege Card applicant can usually follow the exchange route rather than every first-time step. The tests still apply.

1. Buy Virginia insurance. For policies effective on or after January 1, 2025, the minimums are $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. Driving uninsured brings a $600 noncompliance fee and an SR-22 filing for 3 years.
2. Emissions inspection. Arlington is in Northern Virginia's emissions area. Unless the car has a valid emissions certificate less than 12 months old, it needs a test before its first registration, and then every two years. The fee is $30 at most, with one free retest at the same station within 14 days of a failure. Cars from the current and three previous model years are exempt from the two-year test, but DMV may still require one for a newer car first titled in another state. Information: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), 703-583-3900.
3. Title and register with DMV. At a DMV customer service center or the county's DMV Select desk, bring the Application for Title and Registration, proof of address, the out-of-state title or registration card, and proof of the purchase price if you bought the car in the last 12 months. At DMV Select, title work is by appointment and limited to two vehicles per visit; imported-vehicle titles are not handled there.
4. Register with the county. Register the car with the Commissioner of Revenue online in CAPP or at Window 218 in the Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Blvd. The county says it outright: Virginia DMV will not notify Arlington County on your behalf.
5. Safety inspection. Every vehicle in Virginia needs a valid annual safety inspection sticker. Inspections are done at licensed private repair shops, not at DMV. For questions, call the Virginia State Police at (804) 674-2000.

How the car tax works

• Deadline: within 60 days of becoming a resident or acquiring the vehicle (County Code 27-11.1). The county's moving-in checklist page says 30 days while its other pages and the code say 60, so register early to be safe.
• Late penalty: 10% of the assessed tax or $10, whichever is greater, but not more than the tax itself.
• Rate: 5%, or $5 per $100 of value. The county uses the "Clean Loan Value" in the January J.D. Power guide. The tax year runs January 1 to December 31 and is prorated by month; half a month or more counts as a full month.
• 2026 state relief (PPTRA): for qualifying personal-use vehicles, relief covers 100% of the tax on the first $4,000 of value and 13% on value from $4,001 to $20,000, with none above $20,000. Cars, motorcycles and lighter pickups qualify if they are used 50% or less for business.
• Payment: 2026 vehicle tax bills are due October 5, 2026. The Treasurer's Office collects payments (703-228-4000).
• No decal, no county fee: Arlington dropped its vehicle decal on July 1, 2019 and eliminated its motor vehicle license fee on January 1, 2022. Only the state stickers go on your windshield.
• Out-of-state plates: vehicles kept in Arlington without Virginia plates owe an extra $100 tax each year. You are exempt if you title and register the car in Virginia within 30 days of moving.
• Contact: Commissioner of Revenue, Vehicle Personal Property Division, 703-228-3135, [email protected].

Street parking permits

If your street is in a Residential Permit Parking (RPP) zone, you need a permit to park on the street during restricted hours. Since July 2026, the county issues only electronic permits and is moving zones to the new system one by one. Apply and ask questions through the county's RPP page or at 703-228-3344.

• E-ZPass Virginia: open an account and get a tag at ezpassva.com. Customer service is 1-877-762-7824, weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Arlington DMV office sells standard and Flex tags, and the county's DMV Select desk has E-ZPass kits too.
• I-66 Inside the Beltway: tolls apply weekdays 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. eastbound and 3 to 7 p.m. westbound; at other times the road is free. You need an E-ZPass during toll hours. With 1 or 2 people you pay a dynamic toll; estimate it with the calculator at vai66tolls.com. With 3 or more, switch your E-ZPass Flex to HOV mode. Motorcycles ride free. There are no exemptions for Dulles Airport trips or clean-fuel plates.
• Express Lanes (395, 95, 495): operated by Transurban, with prices that change in real time with traffic. Pay with E-ZPass or, without a tag, through Pay-By-Plate. Customer service: 1-855-495-9777.
• Dulles Toll Road: on the way to Dulles Airport. It is run by MWAA, the authority that operates the Washington airports, and takes E-ZPass and Pay By Plate. Current rates are on dullestollroad.com.

Metro (WMATA)

• Stations in Arlington: Rosslyn, Court House, Clarendon, Virginia Square-GMU, Ballston-MU, East Falls Church, Arlington Cemetery, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Crystal City and Washington National Airport. See the line map on wmata.com.
• Fares: Metrorail costs $2.25 to $6.75 by distance on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ($1.10 to $3.35 reduced), and $2.25 to $2.50 on weekday evenings after 9:30 p.m. and on weekends. Metrobus is $2.25.
• Paying: tap a SmarTrip card or a contactless card when you enter and exit, using the same one both times. Bus-to-bus transfers are free within 2 hours, and bus-to-rail or rail-to-bus trips within 2 hours get a $2.25 discount.
• Kids: up to two children aged 4 and under ride free with each paying adult.

ART (Arlington Transit)

• Transfers: with SmarTrip, transfers to ART or Metrobus within 2 hours are free. Going from ART to Metrorail gets a $2.25 discount.
• Cash: exact fare only; drivers give no change.
• iRide: any Arlington K-12 student (public, private or home-schooled) can get an iRide SmarTrip card. It covers every ART route and selected Metrobus routes for free. Get it at a Commuter Store or through APS transportation coordinators, with an Arlington student ID or a school portal record as proof of enrollment.
• Weekly pass: a 7-day regional bus pass costs $13.50.

VRE commuter rail

VRE's Fredericksburg and Manassas lines stop at Crystal City in Arlington. Under the fares in effect since July 1, 2026, Crystal City to Washington Union Station costs $5 one way, $10 for a day pass, $46 for ten trips and $138 for a monthly pass. Fares reset every fiscal year, so check vre.org for the current chart.

Capital Bikeshare

A single ride costs a $1 unlock fee plus $0.15 a minute ($0.35 on an e-bike). A day pass is $10, and annual memberships start at $120, with a $5 annual membership for qualifying residents. Details at capitalbikeshare.com.

Airports

• Reagan National (DCA): in Arlington, served directly by Metrorail's Blue and Yellow lines. The Metro station connects to Terminal 2 by enclosed pedestrian bridges; for Terminal 1, take the free airport shuttle. There are no flights to Türkiye.
• Washington Dulles (IAD): the region's main international airport and the one Turkish Airlines uses for Istanbul. From Arlington you can ride Metrorail's Silver Line to the airport's own station.

1. Dominion Energy (electricity): start service on its Start, Stop or Move Service page. The online form asks for your new address with unit number, full legal name, Social Security number and email; the meter number helps but is not required. A $5.70 connection charge goes on the first bill. New customers, and those without a good 12-month payment history, pay a security deposit, refunded after 12 months of on-time payments. Service orders are worked weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so give notice.
2. Washington Gas (natural gas): call 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427) or use the online form. Give at least 2 business days' notice, and make sure a technician can get into the home. Gas appliances with electronic ignition need the power on, and a gas water heater needs the water on.

Washington Gas may ask for a deposit depending on your payment record. Water, sewer and trash are a county account (see water and trash).

Water and sewer

• Who: the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services (DES) Customer Contact Center, 703-228-5000, weekdays 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., [email protected].
• New account: call at least one business day before you need service. The county's current rates and start-service pages list a $40 new-account fee (an older welcome page still says $25); it goes on the first bill. Depending on timing, the first bill may not include water charges, and trash is prorated daily for the first quarter.
• Renting a house: have the owner's name, phone number and mailing address ready. The county needs an authorization form signed by the owner (or property manager) for every account opened by a non-owner. Water and sewer will not start until the county has it, and processing can take up to 24 business hours.
• Apartments and condos: water and trash usually go through the landlord, HOA or management; ask them.
• Billing: single-family homes and duplexes are billed quarterly.
• Water or sewer emergency: 703-228-6555.

Trash and recycling

• Who gets county pickup: single-family homes, duplexes and some townhouses. Apartment buildings arrange pickup through management.
• Three carts: black for trash, blue for recycling, green for food scraps and yard waste. One trash and one recycling cart are included in the fee; up to two extra carts cost $2 per cart per month.
• Timing: set carts out by 6 a.m. on collection day, not before 5 p.m. the day before, and bring them in within 24 hours.
• No glass in the blue cart: take glass to one of the county's five glass drop-off sites. Put recycling in loose, not bagged, and rinse containers.
• Missed pickup: report it online or at 703-228-5000 by 5 p.m. on the first business day after your collection day; it is picked up by the end of the next business day.
• Sidewalks: after snow, owners must clear the public sidewalk in front of their property. The county has no dump or transfer station.

Reaching the county

• Main line: 703-228-3000.
• Trash, water, sewer and streets: 703-228-5000.
• Food, housing, jobs and health clinics: 703-228-1300.
• Behavioral health and substance use: 703-228-5150.
• Non-emergency police (nighttime noise, towed cars, graffiti): 703-558-2222.
• Parks: 703-228-4747.
• Online: the Report a Problem tool covers potholes, missed pickups, new recycling carts, noise, rodents and more; the website also has a chat assistant called AVA.
• Address: Ellen M. Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.
• Emergencies: always call 911 when life is at risk.

Arlington Public Library card

• Who can get one: anyone who lives, works, studies or owns property in Arlington, and residents of reciprocal jurisdictions such as Washington, D.C., Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax County.
• Documents: per the library's page, one ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, school or employee ID and similar) and one proof of address (a utility bill, bank statement, lease, vehicle registration or mail sent to your address). Check the current list on the library's page before you go.
• Sign-up: at any branch or online. Cards are free and valid for three years.
• Branches: Central Library (1015 N. Quincy St., 703-228-5990) plus Aurora Hills, Cherrydale, Columbia Pike, Courthouse, Glencarlyn, Shirlington and Westover. Central Library's Quincy Street entrance is closed during upgrades.

• Cap: the deposit cannot exceed two months' rent.
• Allowed deductions: unpaid rent (including reasonable late fees in the lease), damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, other charges provided in the lease, and actual damages from breaking the lease.
• Refund: within 45 days, with a written itemized statement. Give your new address in writing when you move out.
• Interest: unlike New Jersey, Virginia does not require the deposit to be held in an interest-bearing account; no interest is owed unless the lease says so.
• Rent increases: there is no rent control, but the landlord must give written notice of an increase. A tenant who objects may end the lease by written notice within the required period.
• Locks: a landlord may never change the locks over unpaid rent.

Help for Arlington renters

• Housing Information Center: information on tenant-landlord issues, fair housing, affordable housing and rental assistance, 703-228-3765.
• Tenant-Landlord Commission: a county commission that gives information and referrals on tenant-landlord issues. The county also holds free seminars for tenants and publishes fact sheets on deposits, move-in checklists, repairs and more (some in Spanish, none in Turkish).
• Unsafe housing: for health and safety problems in the unit, contact the Code Enforcement Office, 703-228-3232, [email protected].
• Behind on rent: call the Department of Human Services (DHS) Emergency Financial Assistance line, 703-228-1300. A case worker contacts you in 5 to 7 business days, and approved payments go straight to the landlord.
• Eviction case: go to court on the date on the Unlawful Detainer summons. Free legal help: Legal Services of Northern Virginia, 703-778-6800; Virginia Poverty Law Center eviction helpline, 833-663-8428.

• Rate: $1.053 per $100 for calendar year 2026. Some county pages still show older rates ($1.033 or a lower example); the current rate is on the county's FY 2027 budget page.
• Payment: two installments, June 15 and October 5. If a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day without penalty. The Treasurer's Office collects, and you can pay online in the county's CAPP system.
• Assessment: values are set as of January 1 each year by the Department of Real Estate Assessments (DREA), 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 502, 703-228-3920, [email protected]. You can appeal online.
• Relief for seniors and people with disabilities: the home must be your sole residence, and income counts all owners and relatives living there, based on the prior year. You need your federal return (1040) with attachments and W-2s or 1099s. Apply by March 31 for a timely adjusted bill; the 2026 filing deadline is November 16, 2026. Apply at the Department of Human Services, 2100 Washington Blvd., 3rd floor, 703-228-1350.
• Other exemptions: there are real estate exemptions for 100% disabled veterans and their surviving spouses, and for surviving spouses of service members killed in action.
• Renters: tenants do not pay real estate tax directly.

Cars also bring a yearly car tax. The rate, the state relief and the county registration deadline are in the car registration section.

1. Check eligibility. Children aged 5 to 18 on September 30 enroll. For kindergarten, the child must be 5 by September 30. If you are not the parent or guardian, the student is an unaccompanied minor, or the student is 18 or older, call 703-228-8000 (option 1) before registering.
2. Choose how to register. There are three ways: upload documents and meet an APS registrar online, book an appointment at the neighborhood school, or book one at the APS Welcome Center. If your family speaks another language at home, start at the Welcome Center: it assesses your child's English, helps with registration, and provides translated forms and interpreters.
3. Gather documents (see the list below).
4. Go to your appointment. Your child has a seat at the neighborhood school. Option schools have a separate online application window; registering at the neighborhood school keeps your seat while you are on a waitlist.

APS Welcome Center

2110 Washington Blvd., 1st floor, Arlington, VA 22204. Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment. Phone 703-228-8000 (option 1), email [email protected].

Required documents

• Child's identity and age: an original birth certificate or certified copy, translated into English if necessary. Without a birth certificate, APS's Affidavit of Student Identity and Age.
• Parent ID: any valid government-issued photo ID, a driver's license or a passport. A Turkish passport works.
• Residency (owners and renters): three documents. A deed or a current lease signed by both parties, plus two different documents showing the parent's name and address: a tax return, pay statement, vehicle registration, one current utility bill (electric, gas, water, internet; only one utility bill counts), a Virginia driver's license or government ID with your address, a bank statement, homeowner's or renter's insurance, voter registration, or a W-2 or 1099.
• Living in someone else's home: five documents. APS Residency Form A (parent affidavit) and Form B (statement of the Arlington resident), the deed or lease for the home, and two supporting documents. Forms A and B and the deed or lease must be resubmitted every school year (between July 1 and the first day of school).
• Health: the Commonwealth of Virginia School Entrance Health Form, immunization records for all new students and, for PreK to grade 5, a physical exam from the last 12 months.

APS asks you to black out Social Security and financial account numbers on these documents; it only needs names and addresses.

Free vaccines and physicals

• Vaccines: school-required vaccines are free at school health clinics and at the Arlington County Immunization Clinic (2100 Washington Blvd., by appointment, 703-228-7444).
• Physicals: uninsured or underinsured students can get a free school-entry exam at the county's community health clinic (703-228-7444).

Free preschool (VPI)

APS's Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) is free for children who turn 4 by September 30. APS's base rule is household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; families up to 350% are encouraged to apply because they may qualify under local criteria. Homelessness, a parent without a high school diploma or GED, or an IEP also qualifies a child. You apply through a phone screening first (703-228-8665 in English), then an in-person appointment with APS staff. VPI is offered at 12 neighborhood schools and 4 option schools.

Arlington students ride ART buses free with an iRide card (see public transit).

For clinics and their rules, see our free and low-cost clinic directory.

• FAMIS Prenatal: the state's own page is explicit: you do not need to meet immigration status rules, provide immigration documents or have a Social Security number to qualify. The requirements are an expected due date, the number of babies expected, Virginia residency, an income limit and being uninsured.
• Children and pregnancy: the federal H.R. 1 law narrows Medicaid eligibility for noncitizen adults starting October 1, 2026. Virginia's Medicaid agency (DMAS) says FAMIS Prenatal and the rules for children and for pregnant and postpartum coverage are not affected.
• Information: the state's Cover Virginia site has a page on health coverage for noncitizens, covering Medicaid, FAMIS and insurance options.
• County public health (2100 Washington Blvd.): vaccines for children and adults (by appointment, 703-228-7444), WIC (703-228-1260), family planning, free school-entry exams for uninsured students, TB and STI services, and health screening for newly arrived refugees.
• Hospital bills: before you pay, ask the hospital about its financial assistance policy.
• Mental health: the county's behavioral health and substance use line is 703-228-5150. In a crisis, call or text 988; the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline answers calls, texts and chats 24/7.

Free (income-based)

Arlington Free Clinic · Arlington

No-cost medical care and low-cost dental care for uninsured adults. The clinic's page lists the rules: no insurance or access to insurance (Medicaid, Medicare or private), age 18 or older, Arlington County residence, at least 6 months living in the United States, and income limits based on household size and total financial resources. The clinic says it serves individuals and families earning under 200% of the federal poverty level. Bring a photo ID (passport, driver's license or ID card), proof of address from the last 2 months (lease, utility bill, landlord letter, bank statement or a community partner letter) and proof of household income from the last 2 months (pay stubs, employer letter or benefits letter). The clinic is not walk-in urgent care; you need an appointment before you come. Services include primary and specialty care, limited women's health, vision and hearing, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, vaccines, physical therapy and care navigation. The clinic lists Turkish among the languages its patients speak; ask whether a Turkish interpreter is available.

Address: 2921 11th St. South, Arlington, VA 22204.
703-979-1400 · Self-referral in person or by phone, weekdays 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. · Become a patient

Centers with income-based fees

Neighborhood Health · Arlington

A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) for all ages that also takes insured patients (Medicaid, Medicare, FAMIS, private insurance). It offers a discounted sliding fee scale for low-income patients who are uninsured or have high copays or deductibles; the income bands are not published on its site, so ask when you register. Fees go down with income, but care is not free. Self-referrals are accepted.

Sequoia 1 (adults, women's health, dental): 2100 Washington Blvd., Suite 294, Arlington, VA 22204. Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Arlington Pediatric Center (children): 2301 Columbia Pike, Suite G, Arlington, VA 22204. Weekdays 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
703-535-5568 · All locations

VHC Health Outpatient Clinic · Arlington

Virginia Hospital Center's clinic, for Arlington County residents only, with or without insurance. Bring a photo ID with an Arlington address and one more document showing Arlington residency (a recent water, cable, rent or electric bill). It charges a flat fee per visit, and tests, blood work and x-rays are billed separately. The county's page and the clinic's page list different fees, so ask for the current amount when you book, and ask about charity care. Appointment only; the wait can be 2 to 4 weeks. Spanish-speaking staff are available.

Address: 1701 N. George Mason Dr., Arlington, VA 22205 (the one-story brick building next to the Green Parking Garage).
703-558-6144 · Weekdays, by appointment

County public health services

Arlington County Public Health (2100 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204) offers an immunization clinic, WIC, family planning, free school-entry exams for uninsured or underinsured students, and STI services. Eligibility and fees vary by service, so call: 703-228-7444 (WIC: 703-228-1260). Service list

Questions to ask before booking

• Are you accepting new patients, and is there a waitlist? Are there age, income, insurance or residency requirements?
• Are visits, lab tests, medications, dental care and outside referrals charged separately?
• Which documents should I bring, and is an interpreter available?

For more options, use the HRSA health center finder; not every listed center is free. See health care without insurance for emergency care and FAMIS Prenatal.

1. Pre-apply online. Fill out the form on the court's page. An email from [email protected] then lets you book an appointment; if it does not arrive, check your spam folder.
2. Go to your appointment. Only in-person appointments are offered; there are no walk-in licenses.
3. Give the license to your officiant. The officiant returns the signed license to the issuing clerk within 5 days.

• Where: Clerk of the Circuit Court (Arlington County and City of Falls Church), 1425 N. Courthouse Road, Suite 6700, Arlington, VA 22201. Civil Division: 703-228-7010.
• No residency requirement: any Virginia Circuit Court can issue your license, but the wedding must take place in Virginia.
• ID: a U.S. driver's license, passport or military ID. A Turkish passport works.
• Payment: $30, cash or Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Card payments carry a 4% service charge.
• Timing: the license must be used within 60 days of issue.
• Officiants: clergy, or a one-time civil celebrant authorized by the clerk. A civil celebrant applicant must live in Arlington or Falls Church and pay a $59 petition fee. Online ordinations are not recognized in Virginia.
• Certified copies: after the wedding, order certified copies at an Arlington DMV center or from the state vital records office (details below).

• At DMV: the two Arlington DMV centers (4150 South Four Mile Run Drive, and 3434 North Washington Blvd. at Virginia Square) issue certified copies. The person on the record or immediate family can apply with ID. Use form DL 81 for a birth certificate and DL 82 for other records. The $17 search fee is charged even if no record is found; DMV forwards requests it cannot fill to the state. The county's DMV Select desk does not handle vital records.
• From the state office: Virginia Office of Vital Records, 8701 Park Central Drive, Suite 100, Richmond, VA 23227. It serves walk-ins weekdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; customer care (804) 662-6200. Mailing address P.O. Box 1000, Richmond, VA 23218. For express delivery, use VitalChek (800-255-2414). The fee is $15.
• Records: the state holds every Virginia birth record from June 1912 on.
• Death certificates: according to the county's page, certificates for deaths in Arlington come from the Department of Human Services (2110 Washington Blvd., Suite 350, 703-228-7444) for immediate family, $15 each. The page may be out of date, so call before you go.
• Which copy: ask for the certified long form for a U.S. passport application or to register the birth in Türkiye.
• Child's U.S. passport: for children under 16, a passport book is $100 plus a $35 acceptance fee, and a passport card is $15 plus $35. See the passport section.
• SSN: for your baby's Social Security number, see the SSN section.

• Which office: we could not confirm from an official source which SSA office serves Arlington residents. SSA assigns offices by ZIP code, not distance, so enter yours in the SSA office locator before you go, or call the national line: 1-800-772-1213.
• Appointments: since January 2025, every in-person SSA service, including a new card, requires an appointment.
• What to bring: current immigration documents (green card, I-94 or EAD) with a valid passport, and a birth certificate if you have it. No photocopies or notarized copies. SSA suggests waiting 10 days after arrival so DHS records can be verified.
• F-1 and J-1: an SSN is available only once you are authorized to work (on-campus job, CPT, OPT), not just for enrolling in school.
• Lost card: replacement is free, usually started online, and the card arrives in 5 to 10 business days.

According to SSA, you do not need an SSN for a driver's license, school registration or private health insurance. In Virginia, state law bars schools from requiring a student's or parent's SSN (see school enrollment).

• State return: Form 760, filed with the Virginia Department of Taxation. The brackets are set in Code of Virginia § 58.1-320 and have not changed since 1990. Check the Department's site for yearly details such as the standard deduction or any rebate.
• ITIN filers: Virginia has no separate state number; the ITIN issued by the IRS is used on the state return too. An ITIN is a tax number only; it does not authorize work or change immigration status.
• Car tax: Arlington's rate is 5%, or $5 per $100 of assessed value. For qualifying personal-use vehicles, 2026 state relief (PPTRA) covers 100% of the tax on the first $4,000 of value and 13% on the part between $4,001 and $20,000; there is no relief above $20,000. 2026 vehicle tax bills are due October 5, 2026. Details are on the county's vehicle tax relief page.
• You register with the county yourself: unlike in Fairfax, Virginia DMV does not notify Arlington County about your car. Register it with the Commissioner of Revenue within 60 days of moving or buying it, or a penalty of 10% of the tax (at least $10) applies. The steps are under car registration.
• Moving from Texas? Factor the state income tax and the car tax into any salary offer.

How do I get an ITIN?

1. Complete Form W-7 and attach it to your federal return unless an exception applies.
2. Get documents verified. Mail originals to the IRS in Austin, use a Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA), or book a free document review at an IRS office. With a CAA or IRS office, your passport does not go in the mail; documents are returned at the end of the appointment.
3. Wait. Processing takes about 7 weeks, or 9 to 11 weeks during tax season (January 15 to April 30).

• IRS office: there is no IRS office in Arlington that reviews ITIN documents. According to the IRS list, the closest option in Northern Virginia is Vienna, in Fairfax County. Others in Virginia are in Charlottesville, Hampton, Lynchburg, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke. Look up the address with the IRS office locator.
• Appointments: IRS offices work by appointment only: 844-545-5640. It can take several weeks to get one. Each spouse or dependent on the application must also come in person.
• CAAs: the IRS list for Virginia includes Certifying Acceptance Agents in Arlington; see the IRS page. CAAs are private firms and set their own fees.
• Expiration: an ITIN not used on a federal return for three years in a row expires.

• Formation: file Articles of Organization with the Virginia SCC. The $100 fee (Code of Virginia § 13.1-1005) is lower than the $300 Texas charges. Registering an LLC formed in another state also costs $100.
• Annual fee: $50, first due on the last day of the 12th month after formation, then every year. A late payment adds a $25 penalty, and the SCC sends a warning that the company's existence may be cancelled.
• Trade name (fictitious name): if you do business under a name other than your legal name, you must register it. Since January 1, 2020, new certificates go to the SCC, not the county court.

How do I get an Arlington business license?

• Deadline: according to the county's business license page, anyone doing business in Arlington must get a license from the Commissioner of Revenue within 75 days of starting. Renewals are due by March 1 each year.
• How to file: online, through the county's CAPP portal. The county no longer prints paper forms.
• Contact: Commissioner of Revenue, Business Tax, Ellen M. Bozman Government Center, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201; 703-228-3060, [email protected]; weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Separate from the state: the county license does not replace your SCC filing; they are two different steps.

• County office: DHS Public Assistance handles SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, child care subsidies, emergency financial assistance, heating and cooling help and citizenship classes. The information line for food, housing, jobs and clinics is 703-228-1300. New chip-enabled SNAP EBT cards are being mailed to Arlington households from October to December 2026.
• Help for newcomers: DHS's Community Services Program helps newly arrived and low-income residents with housing, food, health, jobs and child care, and offers free notary services on request. Staff speak English, Spanish, Arabic and French, with an interpreter line for other languages. Hours vary, so call ahead.
• The county's Trust Policy: according to the county's resources for immigrants page, Arlington does not ask for proof of legal presence for county services unless federal or state law requires it, and does not disclose immigration information. It does not change federal SNAP or Medicaid eligibility.
• Who still qualifies for SNAP: refugees and asylees no longer qualify based on that status alone; once they get a green card, they qualify without the 5-year wait. For other green card holders, the 5-year wait still applies, with exceptions such as children under 18.
• Medicaid changes: Virginia Medicaid (DMAS) says eligibility rules for noncitizen adults narrow on October 1, 2026. Pregnancy coverage (FAMIS Prenatal) and the rules for children's Medicaid and FAMIS do not change. FAMIS Prenatal does not require any immigration status or an SSN. See health care and Cover Virginia's page for noncitizens.
• U.S.-citizen children in the household may still receive benefits in their own right. A child's own benefits generally do not count in a parent's public charge review.
• The new public charge rule: for green card applications filed on or after September 18, 2026, officers may consider any means-tested benefit (SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance and others) received on or after that date. Benefits received earlier count only if they were cash assistance or long-term institutional care. Benefits received by family members are generally not counted.
• Who is exempt: humanitarian categories such as asylees and refugees, T and U visa holders, VAWA self-petitioners and TPS. Family-based, most employment-based and diversity visa applicants are subject to it.
• Litigation: on September 14, 2026, more than 20 states filed one lawsuit and cities led by New York City filed another. As of September 25, 2026, no court had blocked the rule.

1. Log in to your USCIS account and open Change of Address. Reporting online satisfies the legal requirement; no paper AR-11 is needed.
2. Enter the receipt number of every pending case. Otherwise notices may still go to the old address.
3. Tell USPS separately. A post office change of address does not update USCIS, and USPS does not forward USCIS mail.
4. If you are in court proceedings, file Form EOIR-33/IC within 5 days. The court changes your address only through this form.
5. If you have ICE reporting obligations (for example, check-ins set when you were released), update ICE too through the ICE Portal. ICE's page asks for updates within 5 business days of moving.

A and G visa holders and Visa Waiver visitors are exempt from the USCIS requirement.

• Addresses: your case, not distance, decides which office and support center you use. The address on your notice is the one that counts.
• Getting to ASC Alexandria: according to USCIS, take the Metro Yellow Line to Eisenhower Avenue station. It is closed on weekends. If the center closes for weather or a facility problem, USCIS reschedules you automatically.
• Appointments and questions: USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833), or book online. Appointments are free.
• Processing times: on the USCIS processing times page, pick the form, category and "Washington DC" as the office. Times update monthly.
• Biometrics: the center is assigned on your I-797C notice; you do not choose it. You can reschedule for good cause, at least 12 hours before the existing appointment, through your USCIS online account. Our biometrics guide covers what to bring.
• Your attorney at the interview: since May 18, 2026, attorneys may no longer join field-office interviews remotely, except in limited circumstances. Your attorney has to attend in person.

• Hours: both courts are open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the filing window closes at 4 p.m. There is security screening at the entrance, so arrive early.
• Getting to Annandale: EOIR's page lists the Dunn Loring Metro station and Fairfax Connector routes 402 and 16A. There is free parking on site.
• Older papers: if your documents say Arlington Immigration Court, that information is out of date. The court on your latest hearing notice is the one that counts.
• Online lookup: ACIS needs only your A-number (A + 8 or 9 digits). Your hearing notice is still the official source; the system may show new dates late.
• ICE ERO Washington: the ICE field office for Washington, D.C. and all of Virginia is in Chantilly (14797 Murdock Street, Chantilly, (703) 633-2100). Check-ins are scheduled at checkin.ice.gov. Confirm the address on your check-in notice, and if you have a check-in, talk to your attorney before you go.

Where do I find my I-94, and how do I fix an error?

Download your most recent I-94 from CBP's website. Errors made at entry (wrong visa class, name or admit-until date) are corrected by CBP Deferred Inspection. The closest unit to Arlington is at Washington Dulles International Airport, Main Terminal, Lower Level, West End, (703) 661-2800 ext. 7116 (per CBP's list, Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; mailing address 1 Saarinen Circle, Sterling, VA 20166; email [email protected]). Hours change, so always call before you go. Reagan National Airport (DCA), in Arlington, does not have this unit. It fixes only mistakes made at the time of entry.

• Who can register: according to the Virginia Department of Elections, you must be a U.S. citizen and a Virginia resident, be 18 (17-year-olds who will be 18 by the next general election can pre-register), and not be registered in another state.
• At DMV and on forms: Virginia DMV offices are one of the places that take voter registrations. If you are offered voter registration while getting a Driver Privilege Card or doing any other DMV business, decline and answer the citizenship question truthfully. Claiming to be a U.S. citizen may be treated by USCIS as a false claim of citizenship. A driver's license does not make you eligible to vote.
• Consequences: registering or voting as a noncitizen is a federal crime (18 U.S.C. 611 and 1015(f)). In immigration law it can mean permanent inadmissibility, deportability and denial of naturalization.
• Do not fill out voter registration forms handed out door to door or at events.
• The juror questionnaire: the Arlington Circuit Court mails Juror Questionnaire postcards every year, says the postcard is not a scam, and asks people to complete it online within 10 days. The court lists people who are not U.S. citizens among those who do not serve. Answer the citizenship question truthfully.
• Contact: juror hotline 703-228-0533, email [email protected]. Court staff never call jurors to ask for money; a call like that is a scam.
• For citizens who serve: jurors are paid $50 for each day they report. An employer may not fire or penalize an employee for missing work for jury duty.

I just became a citizen. Can I vote in the November 3, 2026 election?

Yes, if you register in time. According to Arlington Voting & Elections, early voting for the November 3, 2026 election began on September 29, 2026, and the deadline to register and to request a mail ballot is October 23, 2026 (5 p.m. for mail ballot requests). On Election Day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The office is at 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 320, Arlington, VA 22201, 703-228-3456, weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can register online, by mail or at that office.

• Find an acceptance facility: enter your ZIP code in the passport facility locator. These locations accept new applications (DS-11) only.
• Arlington Main Post Office: 3118 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201. USPS's own listing says you can make an appointment there to apply for a passport. It is a post office, not a passport agency. Confirm hours and book through USPS (800-275-8777).
• Arlington Circuit Court: the court's page does not list passport services. Always find your acceptance facility through the locator.
• What to bring: your original naturalization certificate and your ID.
• Children: a passport book for a child under 16 costs $100 plus the $35 acceptance fee.
• Washington Passport Agency: in Washington, D.C., appointment only. The State Department's agency page gives 600 19th Street NW, but the address and time that count are on your appointment confirmation.
• Urgent travel rules: you need proof of travel within 14 days (or a foreign visa needed within 28 days), plus the $60 expedite fee. Book online or at 877-487-2778 (weekdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekends 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern). Appointments are free; third parties charging for them are scams.
• Online renewal: for eligible adults, only at opr.travel.state.gov.

Pentagon Memorial: the 9/11 memorial's own website currently says "Closed temporarily." Check its website before you go.

Where can I find Turkish cultural events?

ATA-DC (American Turkish Association of Washington DC), a Turkish-American cultural association, moved into a permanent home in 2025 in Falls Church (7115 Leesburg Pike), next door to Arlington. It organizes events such as a Turkish Festival, a Republic Day Ball and the Atatürk Children School for kids. Check its website for the current calendar.

Always free

• Arlington National Cemetery: free admission. If you drive, parking is $3 an hour, up to $12 a day. Drivers need REAL ID-compliant identification to enter; visitors arriving by Metro or on foot only go through security screening.
• Marine Corps War Memorial: free, with a free 37-space lot limited to 1 hour.
• Theodore Roosevelt Island: no entrance pass required. You can walk there from Rosslyn.
• Gulf Branch and Long Branch nature centers: the county pages list no admission fee; parking is limited.
• Smithsonian museums and the Udvar-Hazy Center: free admission. Parking at Udvar-Hazy is $15, and a few D.C. museums need timed-entry passes.

Free on certain days

• NPS fee-free days: the ones left in 2026 are October 27 and November 11. According to the NPS, starting in 2026 free entrance on those days is for U.S. citizens and residents only. Arlington's NPS sites are free anyway; the days matter at paid parks such as Great Falls Park in neighboring Fairfax County (normally $20 per vehicle).
• Festivals: Festival Latinoamericano (October 3), the Fall Heritage Festival (October 10, registration required) and the Pumpkin Walk (October 17, RSVP) are free.

With kids

• Long Branch Nature Center: a children's Discovery Room, live animals and a viewing pond.
• Gulf Branch Nature Center: a log cabin, a pond, live animals and wooded trails.
• Long Bridge Aquatics: a leisure pool with a slide and lazy river (paid).
• Upton Hill Regional Park: a playground, mini golf and a ropes course. Check fall hours and prices on the park's website.
• Udvar-Hazy Center: Space Shuttle Discovery and historic aircraft.
• Pumpkin Walk and Fall Heritage Festival: free county events for families in October; both need registration or an RSVP.

To book: konsolosluk.gov.tr → Randevu Al → Türk Vatandaşları İçin Konsolosluk İşlemleri → Washington. The 24/7 Consular Call Center: +90 312 292 29 29. After-hours emergency line: +1 202 304 3889. General email: [email protected].

Fees and document lists change during the year. Check the current details on the Embassy's site before you pay.

Tips for your visit

• Getting there: the Embassy is in Washington's Sheridan-Kalorama neighborhood, across the Potomac from Arlington. Check the route before you leave on WMATA's website or your map app, and allow time for traffic.
• Timing: the consular section's reception hours may be shorter than the Embassy's general hours. Be at the building before your slot.
• Holidays: check the Embassy's site for closure days before you book.
• Birth registration: you need the U.S. birth certificate first. Arlington County has no local birth certificate window; get it from the state Office of Vital Records in Richmond or at a DMV customer service center in Arlington (see birth certificates).
• Documents for Türkiye: Virginia documents are apostilled in Richmond, not at the Embassy (see apostille).
• Military service (askerlik): men born in 2007 must complete their registration (yoklama) by December 31, 2026, at the Embassy or on e-Devlet. The paid military service option (dövizle askerlik) for July to December 2026 is the foreign-currency equivalent of 472,653.60 TL, collected by the Washington Embassy in U.S. dollars at the Turkish central bank rate of the payment day; ask the Embassy whether a transfer fee is added. The amount changes on January 1, 2027. It requires a U.S. residence or work permit, 3 years (1,095 days) of work abroad, the MSB online training, residence in the Embassy's consular district and an in-person appointment. Dual citizens born in the U.S. or who came before 18 can defer until the end of age 35 after registering their U.S. citizenship. F-1 students defer through the Embassy's Education Attaché.

• By mail (USPS): 1111 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Send the document with the cover letter generated in the online system, payment and a prepaid return mailer. Turnaround is 7 to 10 business days from receipt.
• In person or by courier: 400 East Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23219, which is also the address for FedEx, UPS and DHL.
• In-person appointments: slots are released only on Fridays at 10 a.m., for the following week only. Up to 2 people and 10 documents per appointment. Bring a valid photo ID. Most properly prepared documents are authenticated the same day.
• Contact: the office lists no phone number; email [email protected].
• Vital records: get the certified birth, marriage, divorce or death record first from the state Office of Vital Records or a DMV customer service center. The Arlington County DMV Select desk does not handle vital records (see birth certificates).
• Other states' records: Virginia authenticates only documents issued or signed in Virginia. A document from another state must be authenticated in that state.

• U.S. clock changes: daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November: November 1, 2026 and March 14, 2027.
• Dulles to Istanbul: according to Dulles Airport's Istanbul page, Turkish Airlines flies nonstop twice daily. From Arlington you can also reach Dulles on Metro's Silver Line. Check times and fares on the Turkish Airlines website.
• Reagan National (DCA): the airport is in Arlington, but it has no service to Türkiye or other long-haul international flights. For Istanbul, use Dulles.
• I-94 errors: if your I-94 was issued incorrectly when you entered at Dulles, go to the CBP unit at the airport (see immigration court and I-94).