Turkish-Speaking Immigration Attorney in San Jose

1. Pick an office and book. The four DMV offices around San Jose keep the same hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on weekends. All handle licensing, testing, registration and title transfers. With only 10 days to work with, book as soon as your documents are ready rather than counting on a walk-in.
2. Pick your card. California issues three kinds of cards: a standard license, a REAL ID and an AB 60 license. Since May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID (or a passport) to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities. A REAL ID costs the same as a standard card.
3. Gather documents. For a REAL ID you need proof of identity (such as a passport), your SSN and two documents proving California residency. Check which documents are accepted on DMV's REAL ID page before you go.
4. Take the tests. The office gives the vision test and the written knowledge test, plus a drive test when required. The written test is not offered in Turkish; see the language list below. A driving retest costs $9.
5. Pay the fee. The San Jose office takes cash, checks, credit and debit cards, digital wallets and money orders. Card payments carry a service fee of roughly 1.95% to 2.1% depending on the channel.

Most other transactions, such as license and registration renewals and address changes, can be done online without an office visit.

Who can get which card?

• Standard license and REAL ID: for applicants who can prove lawful presence in the U.S. The only difference is that a REAL ID also works as federal ID.
• AB 60 license: AB 60 licenses are for residents who cannot prove lawful presence but can prove identity and California residency. They are not REAL ID compliant and do not work for domestic flights or federal facilities. If your status changes, you may be able to upgrade to a REAL ID.
• ID card: family members who will not drive can get a California ID card for $40, free for seniors 62 and older. A reduced-fee ID costs $11.

• No Turkish test: DMV's official list offers the knowledge test in English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese and American Sign Language. Some test-prep sites claim California offers it in Turkish; as of September 29, 2026, that is not true.
• The 10-day rule: it is written into Vehicle Code section 12505 and starts on the day you establish California residency. Texas gives new residents 90 days; California gives 10.
• Visitors: nonresidents may drive on a valid foreign license for as long as they remain nonresidents (section 12502).
• International Driving Permit: it is not a California license. It works as an English translation and is recommended, not required, for visitors and for renting a car. Get it in your home country before you travel.
• Renting a car: rental companies may ask for the International Driving Permit as well, so check when you book.

Coming from Türkiye? Your Turkish license will not convert, so the first-license steps above apply. If you read Russian more comfortably than English, you can pick that language for the test.

1. Buy California insurance. For policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, minimum liability is $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident and $15,000 property damage (Vehicle Code 16056). Older policies move to these limits at their next renewal. From January 1, 2035, the minimums rise to $50,000/$100,000/$25,000.
2. Get a smog check. A smog certificate is required for gasoline vehicles from model year 1976 on, diesel vehicles from 1998 on under 14,001 lb, and natural gas or propane vehicles. Motorcycles and electric vehicles are exempt. Some newer vehicles pay a $20 smog abatement fee instead of testing; check yours on DMV's smog page. The certificate is valid for 90 days from the inspection.
3. Get the vehicle verified. A car from another state or country needs a vehicle verification on form REG 31, done by a DMV employee, a law enforcement officer or a licensed vehicle verifier.
4. Apply. Bring form REG 343 signed by all owners, the last title, the last registration, the verification, the smog certificate and proof of insurance. You also turn in the old plates. Even if the title or smog certificate is not ready yet, pay the fees within 20 days. Late penalties start at about $10 for 1 to 10 days late and grow from there.

See the full breakdown on DMV's registration fees page. The license and the registration are handled by the same agency but filed as separate transactions.

Bringing a car from abroad

California does not allow residents to bring in or register a vehicle that is less than 2 years old with fewer than 7,500 miles unless it was built to California emissions standards or qualifies for an exemption (REG 256F). Check this before you ship a car.

Silicon Valley Express Lanes (SR 237 and US 101)

• Where: VTA's express lanes run on SR 237 and on US 101 (from SR 237 to the county line). The regular lanes stay free; you pay only to use the express lane.
• When and how much: tolls apply Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., and change with traffic. Solo drivers on SR 237 pay from $0.30 to $8.00. Outside those hours the express lanes are free.
• FasTrak required: every vehicle using an express lane needs a FasTrak tag.
• Carpools: with 3 or more people, set a FasTrak Flex tag to HOV mode to get the carpool rate. A standard tag is charged the full toll. When traffic is heavy the lane can switch to "HOV ONLY" mode, and a solo driver who enters it then can be cited $491.
• Help: FasTrak customer service, (877) 229-8655.

Bay Area bridges

• Which bridges: the Dumbarton (Fremont to Menlo Park), the San Mateo-Hayward, the Bay Bridge and the other state-owned bridges are tolled by the regional Bay Area Toll Authority (BATA).
• Rates: since January 1, 2026, two-axle vehicles pay $8.50. It is the first of five yearly January increases through 2030, and from 2027 the price depends on how you pay.
• Accounts: no cash is accepted. Through Bay Area FasTrak you can use a toll-tag account, a License Plate Account, or a Short-Term License Plate Account opened up to 48 hours after crossing or up to 30 days ahead. The express lanes need a tag.

• How to pay: per VTA's fare page, single rides take cash or Clipper, while day and monthly passes are Clipper only. A single ride paid with Clipper includes two hours of free transfers between buses and light rail, and once your rides in a day add up to $7.50, Clipper caps you at the day pass price. An annual pass is $990.
• Express buses: fares are double the local fare, with a $2.50 upgrade when you transfer from a local route.
• Clipper START: Bay Area residents aged 19 to 64 with income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level get 50% off single rides on VTA.
• Proof of payment on light rail: there are no gates. Fare inspectors check at random and can cite riders without a valid ticket or a tagged Clipper card. An 8-hour light rail pass costs $5 for adults.
• From SJC airport: according to the airport's transit page, the VTA Route 60 Airport Flyer is free to ride in either direction from SJC. It goes to Milpitas BART, the Santa Clara Transit Center (Caltrain) and Winchester. If you switch to light rail at the Metro/Airport station, you pay the fare.
• BART: the regional rail system reaches San Jose only at the Berryessa/North San Jose and Milpitas stations for now. The extension to downtown San Jose, Diridon and Santa Clara is under construction, with service expected around 2036 on VTA's schedule. BART fares rose by an average of 6.2% on January 1, 2026, and depend on distance.
• Caltrain: the commuter train connects San Jose Diridon with San Francisco. Fares depend on how many zones you cross; check the current price on Caltrain's fare page.

Electricity and gas: PG&E and San Jose Clean Energy

1. Open a PG&E account. On PG&E's start-service page you register, enter your address, confirm safe access to the meter and pick a start date within the next 60 days. The last step verifies your identity. Gas and electricity share one account. PG&E's phone number is 1-877-660-6789.
2. Know San Jose Clean Energy. San Jose Clean Energy (SJCE) is the city's power program and the default electricity provider for eligible San Jose customers. PG&E maintains the lines, handles outages and sends a single bill that includes SJCE's charges. You do not sign up with SJCE separately.
3. Choose a plan. The default plan, GreenSJ, is 62% renewable. You can pay more for TotalGreen (100% renewable) or opt out and buy your power from PG&E instead. SJCE's phone number is 833-432-2454.

• Discounts: PG&E takes part in the state's CARE and FERA programs. CARE gives qualifying low-income households 30% to 35% off electric bills and 20% off gas bills; households just above the CARE limit can get 18% off electricity through FERA. From June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027, the yearly income limit for a household of four is $66,000 for CARE and $82,500 for FERA.

Water: three providers, by address

San Jose has no single water utility. According to the city's water page, one of these three serves your address. If you do not know which, call (408) 535-3500 or use the address lookup in San Jose 311.

• The hauler: under the city's Recycle Plus program, household collection is done by GreenTeam of San Jose, Garden City Sanitation and California Waste Solutions. Find your hauler and collection day with the address lookup in San Jose 311 or at (408) 535-3500.
• Mandatory service: city code makes garbage service mandatory, and the owner pays even if the home is vacant. If you rent, the cost is usually part of your rent because the owner is billed.
• Single-family rates: the city's rate page lists the monthly rates below, covering weekly garbage, recycling, yard trimmings and unlimited free junk pickup. Rates can change each July 1 and the page shows no date, so check the current table.

• Food scraps: unlike San Francisco and Los Angeles, San Jose does not collect household food scraps in a separate bin. The city explains that all garbage goes to a mixed-waste recovery facility where organics are composted. The What Goes Where guide at sanjoserecycles.org tells you which cart to use.
• Free junk pickup: homes and mobile home parks get unlimited free appointments for large items such as mattresses, sofas, refrigerators and tires. Book with your hauler or through 311. In an apartment or condo, ask your property manager.
• Water: see power and water for which provider serves your address.

San Jose 311: with San Jose 311 you can report problems with a photo and track your request, even without an account. Its My Home Services tool shows street sweeping, garbage and water details for your address. To go in person, the Customer Service Center is at City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor Tower, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For emergencies, always call 911.

San Jose Public Library (SJPL) card: according to SJPL's FAQ, a Full Access card is free for California residents. You need valid photo ID (a California driver's license, passport, permanent resident card or employee ID) and proof of your current California address (a driver's license, a paycheck or mail postmarked within the last 30 days).

No proof of address: a free Limited Status card lets you borrow one physical item at a time and use most eResources. Cards are issued only to California residents.

State rules

• Deposit cap: since July 1, 2024 (AB 12), most landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a deposit (Civil Code 1950.5). There is an exception for certain qualifying small landlords.
• Refund: within 21 days after you move out, the landlord must send what is left of the deposit with an itemized statement. Deductions over $125 need receipts, invoices or a description of the work.
• Rent cap (AB 1482): yearly increases may not exceed 5% plus the change in CPI, or 10%, whichever is lower, measured from the lowest rent in the prior 12 months, in no more than two increases per 12 months (Civil Code 1947.12). Exempt: buildings from the last 15 years, owner-occupied duplexes, certain single-owner properties not held by a corporation, and housing already under local rent control. In San Jose, duplexes and single-family homes outside the city's rent ordinance have only this state rule.

San Jose: rent stabilization and eviction protection

• Apartment Rent Ordinance: the city's rent ordinance covers apartments in buildings with 3 or more units that were built and occupied before September 7, 1979. Rent may go up once in 12 months, by no more than 5%.
• Not covered: single-family homes, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, condos, townhomes, hotels, dorms, government-owned housing, units first rented after September 7, 1979 and unincorporated county areas.
• Exceptions: after a voluntary move-out or a lawful eviction, the landlord may set a new rent for the next tenant. Capital improvement costs can be passed through at no more than 3% of monthly rent, and landlords can file fair-return petitions.
• Tenant Protection Ordinance: the city's just-cause rules cover buildings with 3 or more units, guest houses and unpermitted units such as garage conversions. A landlord must cite one of 13 listed just causes to evict.
• Other protections: if a pre-1979 building of 3 or more units is taken off the rental market under the Ellis Act, displaced tenants may get relocation benefits and 120 days' notice or more. Landlords may not turn away tenants because they use a housing voucher, except in owner-occupied single-family homes.
• Help: for complaints, hearing requests and questions, contact the city's Rent Stabilization Program; its contact details are on the city's rent stabilization page. If you are served with court eviction papers, get legal help right away.

• Taxable value: it resets to market value on a purchase, new construction or change of ownership, then rises only by an inflation factor (Revenue and Taxation Code 110.1). Two similar houses on the same street can have very different tax bills depending on when they were bought.
• Tax rate: the base rate is 1% of taxable value, plus voter-approved local add-ons such as bonds.
• Homeowners' Exemption: $7,000 off the taxable value (section 218). It applies only to your principal residence, not to rented, vacant or vacation homes.
• How to file: in San Jose, taxable values and the exemption are handled by the Santa Clara County Assessor, not the city. File by February 15 for the full exemption.
• Garbage charge: for single-family homes, San Jose's garbage charge is added to the county property tax bill; there is no separate trash bill.
• Transfer tax: per the county's fee schedule, a home purchase in San Jose carries the city's documentary transfer tax of $1.65 per $500 on top of the county's $0.55 per $500. Transfers over $2 million also pay the city's Measure E tax.

1. Find your district. Santa Clara County has dozens of school districts, and different San Jose neighborhoods belong to different ones. Enter your address in the SCCOE school district locator. At some addresses, elementary and middle school belong to one district and high school to a separate high school district (for example, East Side Union High School District). Your district sets the enrollment rules and document list.
2. In SJUSD, apply online. Apply and upload documents through SJUSD's enrollment page. Enrollment is open year-round, and enrollment for the next school year opens the first week of December. The student must live with a parent or guardian inside district boundaries.
3. Or visit the Enrollment Center. SJUSD Enrollment Center: 855 Lenzen Avenue, Room 106, San Jose, CA 95126, (408) 535-6412. Monday and Wednesday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is first come, first served, and staff help you submit the online application.
4. Gather documents. SJUSD asks for the parent or guardian's government photo ID, proof of the student's age, proof of residence and immunization records. Enrollment is complete only after all documents are in and you receive a confirmation email. Processing takes a few days in fall and spring and can take several weeks in winter and summer.
5. Language assessment. At first enrollment in California you fill out a Home Language Survey. If a language other than English is spoken at home, the child takes the state's ELPAC test.

• If the neighborhood school is full: SJUSD places the child at the nearest school with space and puts them on the neighborhood school's waitlist. Staying at the placement school requires an intradistrict transfer.
• Transitional Kindergarten (TK): state law sets the age cutoff. For 2026-27, children born between September 2, 2021 and September 1, 2022, meaning they turn 4 by September 1, can start TK, with no exceptions. Kindergarten requires age 5 by September 1.
• Vaccines: California ended the personal-belief exemption for school vaccines in 2016 (SB 277). Only a medical exemption from a licensed physician is accepted.
• Other districts: check enrollment offices and document lists on each district's own site; every district runs its own enrollment.

For clinic visits, also see our free and low-cost clinic directory.

• County hospitals: Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose is part of the county health system. The system's own page says its hospitals and clinics are open to everyone regardless of immigration status and that patients are not asked about their status. Main phone: (408) 885-5000.
• Healthcare Access Program (HAP): the county's payment help for uninsured patients. According to a 2024 copy of the program page, patients at or below 400% of the federal poverty level get medically necessary care free, with tiered discounts up to 650%. Free help applying: Patient Financial Services, 770 S. Bascom Avenue, San Jose, (866) 967-4677. Terms may have changed, so ask for the current thresholds when you apply.
• Medi-Cal: California's Medicaid program opened to all income-eligible adults regardless of immigration status in 2024. Since January 1, 2026, however, adults 19 and older without a satisfactory immigration status can no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal; new applicants get restricted coverage for emergencies and pregnancy only. Children (0 to 18) and pregnant people are not affected. People already enrolled keep full coverage if they renew on time, with 90 days to re-enroll after a lapse.
• How to apply for Medi-Cal: through the state's BenefitsCal portal.
• Asset limit: Medi-Cal brought back an asset test in 2026: $130,000 for one person plus $65,000 for each additional household member. Your home, one vehicle and household items do not count. It mainly affects people 65 and older and people with disabilities.
• Covered California: the state's insurance marketplace is open to lawfully present immigrants (green card holders, refugees, asylees, many visa holders) but not to undocumented people. DACA recipients lost Marketplace eligibility in 2025 but may qualify for Medi-Cal. From 2027, some lawfully present immigrants lose premium subsidies under the federal H.R. 1 law.
• Sliding-fee health centers: search by address with the HRSA health center finder. Not every listed center is free.
• 988: the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline answers calls, texts and chats 24/7, with phone interpreters available.

Free care

RotaCare San Jose Free Medical Clinic · Downtown

A volunteer-run nonprofit clinic. It says it offers appointments free of charge, in Spanish and English, to people over 18 without medical insurance and with limited finances. Services include exams, prescriptions, lab work and referrals to specialty clinics at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, with Spanish interpreters. It does not offer vaccinations, dental, vision or mental health care. Its official page states no immigration-status rule.

Address: 100 Oak Street, San Jose, CA 95110 (Washington Neighborhood Health Clinic building; entrance on Edwards Ave.).
Hours: Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. Telephone appointments every Wednesday; in-clinic visits on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Phone: 408-715-3088 (leave your name, number and reason; they call back from a blocked number) · RotaCare San Jose

Walk-in student clinic

Pacific Free Clinic · East San Jose

A volunteer-run student clinic within Stanford Medicine that serves adults in Santa Clara County who do not have insurance. Its own page says it is open to all regardless of immigration status. It offers transitional care, not long-term primary care, and sees adults 18 and older only; no children. There are no appointments: doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturdays, first come, first served, and it fills up early. The posted schedule ran through the summer, so check fall dates on the clinic's website before you go, and ask about any cost.

Address: 1835 Cunningham Ave., San Jose, CA 95122 (Overfelt High School; enter the parking lot at the "Overfelt Adult Education" entrance on Cunningham Ave.; the clinic is at the back of the lot next to the tennis courts).

County program: free or discounted care

Healthcare Access Program (HAP) · Santa Clara County

Free or discounted medically necessary care in the county health system for uninsured patients. According to a 2024 copy of the program page, the discount is 100% at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, with tiered discounts up to 650% for Santa Clara County residents with higher incomes. Applicants are also screened for Medi-Cal and Covered California. Confirm the current terms when you apply; see health care without insurance for details.

Application help: Patient Financial Services, 770 S. Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. · (866) 967-4677

Sliding fee

Gardner Health Services · several sites

A federally funded community health center offering primary care, pediatrics, women's health, dental and behavioral health. It charges uninsured patients on a sliding fee scale; it is not free, and its site does not list the fee amounts. Free enrollment counselors help with Medi-Cal and Covered California. Two of its sites are at 195 E. Virginia St. and 725 E. Santa Clara St., Ste. 103; before you go, ask whether the site is taking new uninsured patients.

Phone: 408-457-7100 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) · Gardner Health Services

Questions to ask before booking

• Are you accepting new patients? 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 Medi-Cal.

• Where: the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder's Office, 110 W. Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95134, as listed on the county's marriage license page. Do not go to the old Hedding Street address you may still see online. Phone (408) 299-5688. Marriage license services run Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and applications must be submitted by 4 p.m.
• Appointments: the county's page says no appointment is needed for a marriage license. You can fill out the application online first, then take a service ticket at the office. Rules can change, so check the page before you go.
• Who can marry: two unmarried people, both 18 or older. You do not need to live in California or be a U.S. citizen. If a previous marriage ended in the last 90 days, bring a copy of the judgment.
• ID: both of you need unexpired, government-issued photo ID: a driver's license, passport or permanent resident card. Copies and phone images are not accepted. If one of you has no valid ID, two credible witnesses with valid ID can sign an affidavit for $20.
• Standard or confidential: a confidential license is for couples who already live together. A standard license needs witnesses at the ceremony.
• Timing: there is no waiting period. You can marry anywhere in California within 90 days.
• After the ceremony: the signed license must be returned within 10 business days. A copy of the certificate is usually available about ten business days after recording; a certified copy costs $19.

See the current county fee schedule.

• County office: the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder takes orders in person, by mail and online. The office is at 110 W. Tasman Drive, 1st Floor, San Jose, and vital records service runs weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can book an appointment online, but slots fill quickly; without one, you can walk in during those hours. In person, the copy is usually issued the same day, though there can be a wait.
• Fee: the county's fee schedule lists a certified birth certificate at $34; paying by card in person adds a $2.50 fee, for $36.50.
• State office: the California Department of Public Health Vital Records office in Sacramento (CDPH-VR) issues copies of any California birth by mail, $31 per copy since January 1, 2026. It is slower than the county but useful for births outside Santa Clara County.
• Which copy: for a U.S. passport and for registering the birth in Türkiye, ask for a Certified Authorized Copy. An "informational" copy is not valid for identity purposes. Authorized copies go to the registrant, their parent, spouse, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling or registered domestic partner, or someone with a court order or power of attorney. Anyone can request an informational copy.
• SSN: if you request the SSN during hospital birth registration, the card arrives by mail and no SSA visit is needed.

• 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.
• Appointments: since 2025, SSA generally expects you to book before an in-person visit. Call the office or the national line, 1-800-772-1213.
• Which office: the SSA office locator lists two San Jose offices: downtown at 280 S. First St., Room 244 (2nd floor, weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and in the east at 2500 Fontaine Rd. Your ZIP code decides which one serves you, so check the locator before you go.
• Replacement card: free, often started online; the card arrives in 5 to 10 business days.

According to SSA, you do not need an SSN for school registration or private health insurance. California law also bars schools from requiring one.

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 that offers it. 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).

The California return and CalEITC

• Form 540: most California residents who file a federal return also file a state return with the FTB. If you have no SSN, an ITIN is enough.
• CalEITC: according to the FTB, for tax year 2025 (returns filed in 2026) workers earning up to $32,900 can get up to $3,756. ITIN filers can claim it, but qualifying children still need valid SSNs. The Young Child Tax Credit and the Foster Youth Tax Credit are also open to ITIN filers who meet the other rules.
• Free help: the FTB points filers to VITA sites, where volunteers prepare returns for free; many handle ITIN returns.
• Self-employed? Freelancers and home-based businesses in San Jose also owe the city's business tax. That is a separate registration, covered in the business section.

The IRS office in San Jose

• ITIN document review: San Jose is on the IRS list of California offices that review ITIN documents in person. No walk-ins.
• Appointments: per the IRS office locator, the San Jose office is at 55 S. Market St., Suite 100, open weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All IRS offices work by appointment, booked at 844-545-5640. Appointments can take several weeks; check the locator for closures.
• Expiration: an ITIN not used on a federal return for three years in a row expires.

State: the LLC and the $800 tax

• Fees: Articles of Organization $70, online only. A Statement of Information ($20) is due within 90 days of formation and every two years after that. Owners do not need to be U.S. citizens, but you need a registered agent with a California address.
• The $800 franchise tax: per the FTB, every LLC organized or doing business in California owes at least $800 a year, even with no activity, until it is cancelled. The first payment is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after filing. The first-year exemption covered only tax years 2021 to 2023, so an LLC formed in 2026 pays in its first year.
• Higher revenue: LLCs with more than $250,000 in California income also owe an extra fee of $900 to $11,790.

City: the Business Tax Certificate

• Who needs one: according to the city's Finance Department, everyone doing business in San Jose: stores, service businesses, self-employed people, independent contractors, home-based and part-time businesses, and landlords renting out homes. You have 90 days from your start date. It is often called a business license, but it is a tax receipt, not zoning, fire or occupancy approval. Keep it posted at your business.
• How to register: register online with your start date, a taxpayer number (FEIN, SSN or other TIN), the principal owner's driver's license number, owners' names and addresses, each San Jose location and an email address. A contractor number, seller's permit or county health permit is asked for if you have one.
• Timing: if you pay when you register, the account is active in 2 to 3 business days. Otherwise an invoice arrives by mail in 5 to 10 business days.
• How much: per the city's rate table, the tax is based on employee count. From July 1, 2026, the base tax for 1 or 2 employees is $222.89, plus $37.98 for each additional employee from 3 to 35. Residential rentals pay $222.89 for 1 or 2 units, plus $12.65 per unit from 3 to 35. A $4 state fee is added every year.
• 2026 amnesty: the city's Business Tax Amnesty Program runs only from January 1 to December 31, 2026. Businesses that never registered, paid late or underreported pay the tax itself, and penalties and interest are waived. If you are not registered, do it before the year ends.
• Where: City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara St., 1st Floor, San Jose, CA 95113 (by appointment). Phone (408) 535-7055, option 2. Email [email protected].

Fictitious business name (DBA)

Sole proprietors and general partnerships using a name that does not include the owner's surname file a fictitious business name statement with the county clerk where the business is based, as state law requires. San Jose is in Santa Clara County, so that is the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder; the county fee schedule lists the filing at $40. State law also requires publishing the statement in a newspaper once a week for four weeks in a row within 45 days. Ask the Clerk-Recorder for current steps.

• Where to apply: on BenefitsCal you can apply, upload documents and follow your case online. The application goes to the social services office of your county, Santa Clara County.
• April 1, 2026, CalFresh immigrant rules: refugees, asylees, parolees, trafficking survivors, people granted withholding of removal and some battered noncitizens lost federal CalFresh eligibility. Current recipients in those groups keep benefits until their next recertification.
• Who still qualifies: U.S. citizens, most green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants and citizens of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. California waives the federal 5-year waiting period for most green card holders.
• CFAP: the state-funded California Food Assistance Program covers some, not all, of the people who lost federal CalFresh. Check your own situation instead of assuming your category is cut off.
• January 1, 2026, Medi-Cal: adults 19 and older without a satisfactory immigration status can no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal; they get emergency and pregnancy-related coverage only. People already enrolled keep full coverage if they renew on time. Children and pregnant people are not affected. For uninsured adults, the county's own hospital and clinic options are covered in the health section.
• U.S.-citizen children in the household may still receive benefits in their own right.
• The new public charge rule: for green card applications filed on or after September 18, 2026, officers may consider any means-tested benefit (CalFresh, Medi-Cal, 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: California is one of the more than 20 states that sued over the rule on September 14, 2026. As of September 25, 2026, no court has blocked it.

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. If your case used to be at the San Francisco court and you cannot use the online system, contact the Concord court, which now administers those cases.
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.

• Appointments and questions: USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283, or book online. Appointments are free.
• Processing times: on the USCIS processing times page, pick the form, category and "San Jose CA" as the office. Times update monthly.
• Biometrics: according to USCIS, the San Jose center is on Snell Avenue by the VTA park-and-ride area off Blossom Hill Road, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on weekends. Your I-797C notice assigns the center; ignore the old Santa Clara address you may still find online. Reschedule through your online account or at 800-375-5283. Our biometrics guide covers what to bring.
• Oath ceremonies: naturalization ceremonies are often held at a rented venue in the area. The place and time are on your oath notice.
• The asylum office: Bay Area asylum cases are handled by the San Francisco Asylum Office. According to its USCIS page, it has offered no in-person information services since April 20, 2026, and takes no walk-ins. Its phone is 415-575-1300. Some applicants are scheduled at the Oakland location (1301 Clay St.) instead, so follow the address on your interview notice.
• Your attorney at the interview: since May 18, 2026, attorneys may no longer join field-office or affirmative asylum interviews remotely, except in limited circumstances. Your attorney has to attend in person.

• What happened: per EOIR's notice, the San Francisco court closed permanently at the end of the business day on September 4, 2026, and its Sansome Street location passed to the Concord court's administrative control. EOIR is sending new hearing notices to everyone whose case moved to Concord. Hearings may be held in Concord, in San Francisco or by video. There is no official list saying where San Jose residents' cases are heard; the place and time on each notice are what count.
• Distance from San Jose: either way it is a long trip. Concord is about 60 miles away and San Francisco about 50, and traffic can add a lot. Leave early.
• The Concord court: per EOIR's page, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the filing window until 4 p.m. Free visitor parking is on levels 5 to 8 of the building's garage. Email: [email protected].
• 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 and locations late.
• ICE ERO San Francisco: this office covers Northern California, San Jose included: 630 Sansome St., Room 590, San Francisco, CA 94111, (415) 365-8800. Check-ins are scheduled at checkin.ice.gov. 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 office to San Jose is on the 2nd floor of SFO's International Terminal, open Monday to Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed Friday to Sunday), (650) 742-4470. It fixes only mistakes made at the time of entry, and any deferred inspection office can help no matter which airport you entered through.

• At the DMV: if you are offered voter registration while applying for a license or ID card and you are not a citizen, decline.
• The form: federal and state law require the U.S. citizenship box to be checked. Checking it as a noncitizen counts as a false claim of citizenship for USCIS.
• 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.
• Jury summons: California Code of Civil Procedure §203 makes noncitizens, people under 18 and people not domiciled in California ineligible for jury service. If you are summoned, follow the instructions on the summons to report that you are disqualified as a noncitizen; do not leave it unanswered.

Recently naturalized? The deadline to register for the November 3, 2026 election is October 19, 2026 (online, or postmarked by that date). Elections in San Jose are run by Santa Clara County. Registration forms are also available at county election offices, libraries, DMV offices and post offices. California's elections line is (800) 345-VOTE (8683).

• Library appointments: per the Santa Clara County Library District, appointments are booked online up to 60 days ahead, with a new day opening each night at midnight. Each applicant needs a separate appointment; arrive 10 minutes early and cancel at least 12 hours ahead. These libraries do not take renewals (DS-82). Passport photos are taken only during an appointment, $12 for two.
• Inside San Jose: the county library district lists no branch inside the City of San Jose; the closest are Milpitas, Cupertino, Saratoga and Los Altos. For post offices and other acceptance facilities, use the passport facility locator; appointments and hours vary by location.
• What to bring: your original proof of citizenship, valid ID and a passport photo.
• Fees: a passport book for a child under 16 costs $100 plus the $35 acceptance fee. A passport card is $30. Urgent service adds a $60 expedite fee.
• San Francisco Passport Agency: 450 Golden Gate Ave., 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, about 50 miles from San Jose. Appointment only. Check current hours on the agency's page before you go.
• Who qualifies: travel abroad within 14 days, or a foreign visa needed within 28 days, with proof. Book at passportappointment.travel.state.gov or (877) 487-2778. Appointments are free; third parties charging for them are scams.
• Online renewal: for adults 25 and older with a 10-year passport, only at opr.travel.state.gov.

Parks: some Alum Rock Park trails close from time to time, and parking and hours can change. Check the city's park page before you go.

Free

• Municipal Rose Garden: no admission fee; picnic areas are first come, first served.
• Japanese Friendship Garden: in Kelley Park, free entry, paid parking.
• Alum Rock Park: free entry, with a parking fee per car on weekends and holidays.
• Christmas in the Park: November 27, 2026 to January 1, 2027, daily noon to 10 p.m., Plaza de César Chávez.
• Avenida de Altares: October 31, 2026, Mexican Heritage Plaza, free.

Free on certain days or for certain visitors

• San José Museum of Art: always free for ages 17 and under, college students and teachers. Free First Friday evenings and free Community Days run every month; the next ones are October 2 and October 24, 2026.
• Happy Hollow Park & Zoo: free for children under 2.

With kids

• Happy Hollow Park & Zoo: zoo, rides and a puppet theater in one place.
• The Tech Interactive: a hands-on science museum with an IMAX theater.
• Alum Rock Park: the city runs nature programs for children; see the city's park page for the schedule.
• San José Museum of Art: free for kids, with family-friendly Community Days.
• Christmas in the Park: more than 40 animated displays, free.

To book: konsolosluk.gov.tr → Randevu Al → Türk Vatandaşları İçin Konsolosluk İşlemleri → Los Angeles. The 24/7 Consular Call Center: +1 888 566 76 56. Emergency line: +1 310 779 3288. Email: [email protected]. The consulate's English site is losangeles-cg.mfa.gov.tr.

Ask the consulate for current fees, and which services can be done by mail, before your appointment.

Tips for the trip from San Jose

• Getting there: Beverly Hills is roughly a 5.5 to 6-hour drive. A short domestic flight from San Jose (SJC) to the Los Angeles area is another option; check schedules. Applications are taken in the morning only, so consider arriving the night before.
• Mobile consulate: the consulate held a mobile consulate in San Francisco on February 6 to 8, 2026, with appointments by email. As of September 29, 2026, no new mobile consulate has been announced. Watch the consulate's announcements.
• Several errands? Book a separate appointment for each one and try to put them on the same day. It saves a second trip.
• Holiday: the consulate is closed October 29, 2026 (Republic Day). Check the site for other closures before you book.
• A large district: besides California, the consulate serves Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, plus Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Try to book early.
• Birth registration: parents' names must match Turkish records. For a baby born in San Jose, the certified birth certificate comes from the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder.
• Military service (askerlik): men born in 2007 must complete their registration (yoklama) by December 31, 2026, at the consulate or through e-Devlet. The paid military service option (dövizle askerlik) for July to December 2026 is the foreign-currency equivalent of 472,653.60 TL, paid in U.S. dollars at the Turkish central bank rate of the payment day; ask the consulate whether a transfer fee applies. The amount changes on January 1, 2027. You need a U.S. residence or work permit, at least 3 years (1,095 days) of work abroad, the MSB online training and residence in the consulate's district, and you apply in person by appointment, which means a trip to Beverly Hills. 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 an Education Attaché; ask the consulate which one serves you.

• By mail: Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001 (courier: 1500 11th Street, 2nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814). $20 per document with no $6 fee. Requests are handled in the order received; there is no expedited mail service.
• Sacramento office: 1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, about 120 miles from San Jose. Walk-in, take a number, same-day service, with a $6 special handling fee per signature in person. Visa/Mastercard, check, money order or cash.
• Los Angeles office: there is also a walk-in office at 300 South Spring Street in Los Angeles, but it is far from San Jose and does not take cash.
• Pop-up events: per the Secretary of State's apostille page, the last San Jose event was on September 25, 2026. The closest upcoming one is in Richmond, in the East Bay, on December 9, 2026, about 50 miles away. Check the same page for the venue and rules as the date approaches.
• Which documents qualify: California birth and death certificates signed by a county clerk, county recorder or the State Registrar. In San Jose, certified birth and marriage certificates come from the Santa Clara County Clerk-Recorder. Notarized documents and documents signed by a California public official also qualify.
• Federal documents: FBI background checks and naturalization certificates go to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Authentications, Form DS-4194, $20 per document.
• Turkish documents: Turkish criminal records and civil registry extracts can get an e-Apostil through e-Devlet (eapostil.gov.tr). Consulates do not issue apostilles.

• 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.
• Calling home: early morning in San Jose is the easiest time. At 9 a.m. in San Jose it is 7 p.m. in Istanbul in summer and 8 p.m. in winter.
• SJC: Turkish Airlines is not on the airport's airline list, so SJC to Istanbul takes at least one connection.
• Nonstop from SFO: Turkish Airlines flies between SFO and Istanbul Airport (IST) in about 13 hours. Frequency changes by season, so check current schedules on turkishairlines.com. Allow for traffic on the way to SFO.
• One-stop options: from SFO or SJC you can connect through European and Gulf hubs or larger U.S. airports. Schedules vary.