Turkish-Speaking Immigration Attorney in Los Angeles

1. Book an appointment. Los Angeles County has more than two dozen DMV field offices. The DMV office locator filters them by distance, ZIP code and service. Appointment waits vary by office and service, from a few days to about three weeks. With only 10 days to work with, check for appointments as soon as your documents are ready.
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. Card payments carry a service fee of roughly 1.95% to 2.1% depending on the channel. Cash is accepted in person only.

Most other transactions, such as 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 25, 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.

• Opening an account: Metro ExpressLanes accounts are prepaid. By credit card: a $40 starting balance, automatic top-up when it falls to $10, and the $25 transponder deposit is waived. By cash or check: a $50 balance, top-up at $25, and a $25 deposit per transponder. The $1 monthly account fee is waived only for Low-Income Assistance Plan accounts.
• Transponders: ordered online, they arrive by mail in 3 to 5 business days. Transponders bought at AAA, Albertsons or Costco are activated by phone or online. Customer service is (877) 812-0022, with service centers in Torrance and El Monte.
• Pricing: the toll changes with traffic in real time. In peak hours (5 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.) a blank price sign means the default of $0.35 per mile.
• Without an account: the registered owner gets a toll evasion notice for the toll plus a $9 processing fee, due within 30 days. If unpaid, a second notice adds a $16 penalty and a third adds $30. After that, a hold may be placed on the vehicle's DMV registration or the debt sent to collections.
• Clean-air discounts are gone: the Clean Air Vehicle discount on the I-10 and I-110 ExpressLanes ended October 1, 2025. Old decals no longer give a discount.
• Rental cars: add the rental's plate, with an end date, to your own FasTrak account and mount your own transponder. Otherwise the trip counts as a violation, and both Metro and the rental company may charge penalties.
• Orange County: The Toll Roads run routes 73, 133, 241 and 261. Without an account you can pay online or in the app from 5 days before to 5 days after your trip. An invoice account costs $2 a month.

Pay by tapping a TAP card, a contactless bank card or a digital wallet such as Apple Pay on the reader; you do not need a TAP card if you pay by card. Cash works on buses only, exact fare, and cash rides do not count toward the caps. Round trips are not covered by the 2-hour transfer window.

• How capping works: after you pay for 3 rides in a day, the rest of the day is free, and you never pay more than $18 in a week.
• Discounts: low-income riders get 20 free rides a month through the LIFE program. Students at participating schools ride free with GoPass. Children under 6 ride free with a paying adult.
• LAX by FlyAway: the FlyAway bus runs seven days a week to Union Station (801 N. Vignes St) and Van Nuys (7610 Woodley Ave). It costs $12.75 one way, cards only, bought at a kiosk or online. The fare rose from $9.75 on April 2, 2025, and some tourism sites still show the old price. Customer service is 24/7 at (866) 435-9529.
• LAX by Metro: the LAX/Metro Transit Center, opened June 6, 2025, connects to the C and K Lines and several bus routes. The SkyLink people mover that will link it to the terminals had not opened to passengers as of August 2026; a free shuttle runs in the meantime. Check flylax.com for the current status before you travel.

1. Apply online. LADWP's start-service page has separate paths for residential, commercial and multiple-unit service. For multi-unit buildings, electric, water and trash service can be started for each unit in one request.
2. Or call. 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397), Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The line is open 24/7 for outages and emergencies. TDD: 1-800-HEAR-DWP (1-800-432-7397).
3. Or visit. LADWP has 15 customer service centers around the city, with walk-in visits and appointments. Find them on the customer service page.
4. Start gas separately. Gas service comes from the gas company that serves your address. If you rent, ask your landlord which company that is.

LADWP assistance programs: because LADWP is a municipal utility, the state's CARE and FERA discounts do not apply. Instead it runs its own programs: EZ-SAVE (income-qualified bill savings), the Lifeline Rate for seniors and people with disabilities, LIHEAP referrals, Cool LA for extreme heat, and Level Pay, which spreads your bill evenly over the year.

Outside city limits: in many parts of Los Angeles County outside the City of LA, Southern California Edison (SCE) provides electricity and SoCalGas provides gas. Both take 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. Eligibility is based on income, not citizenship.

• Bins: black for trash, blue for recyclables, green for organics. Some areas also have a brown bin for horse manure; most homes do not.
• Your pickup day: enter your address in the "Find Your Residential Collection Day" tool on LA Sanitation's site. Schedules vary by address.
• Broken or missing bins, missed pickups: report them with the "Request Service" button in the MyLA311 app or by calling 311.
• Bulky items: curbside pickup is free; schedule it through MyLA311.
• Hazardous and electronic waste: take household hazardous waste and e-waste to LA Sanitation's S.A.F.E. Centers.
• Customer care: LA Sanitation's line, 1-800-773-2489, is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
• Apartments and businesses: multifamily buildings and businesses are served by a separate program, recycLA, which adds a flat monthly rate and required green organics bins starting in early 2027.
• Water: in the City of LA, water also comes from LADWP; you start it together with electricity.

MyLA311: open requests online, in the app or by phone, and track their status. The site also has a City Directory. Address: 200 N. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. For emergencies, always call 911.

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) card: free for California residents. Visit any branch with proof of identity and proof of address. To save time, fill out the online pre-registration form first; you still finish the application in person. City of Los Angeles residents can also get an instant e-card online without a branch visit. LAUSD students automatically get a Student Success Card.

What the card gets you: more than 6 million books and items, over 1.5 million e-books and audiobooks, 800+ laptops and hotspots to borrow, California State Park passes, museum and attraction tickets, 200+ research databases and free online classes.

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.
• Just cause: after 12 months, a landlord may end the tenancy only for reasons listed in the law: at-fault reasons such as nonpayment or a lease violation, or no-fault reasons such as an owner move-in, taking the unit off the rental market or a substantial remodel.

Los Angeles: the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)

• Coverage: apartments, condos, townhomes, duplexes and two or more houses on one lot in buildings first built on or before October 1, 1978. About 624,000 units in 118,000 properties are covered. A single-family home that is the only home on its lot is not.
• Increases: rent may go up once every 12 months by the allowable percentage. Since February 2, 2026, landlords can no longer add an extra percentage for utilities, and the extra 10% for an added dependent is gone. A 10% increase is still allowed within 60 days of learning that a new, non-dependent tenant moved in.
• Registration fee: the RSO registration fee is $38.75 per unit. Landlords may pass up to half of it to the tenant as $1.61 a month, with 30 days' written notice.
• Is your unit covered? Check the LA Housing Department's RSO coverage page and its RSO Rent Increase Calculator. A unit outside the RSO may still be covered by the city's separate Just Cause Ordinance.
• Help: LAHD hotline (866) 557-7368; language assistance (213) 808-8808. If you are served with court eviction papers (an unlawful detainer), do not rely on an administrative complaint alone; 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, which vary by area.
• Homeowners' Exemption: $7,000 off the taxable value (section 218). At the 1% base rate, that is roughly $70 less tax a year. It applies only to your principal residence, not to rented, vacant or vacation homes.
• Where to apply: for homes in Los Angeles, the LA County Assessor, not the city, handles taxable values and the exemption. Check the Assessor's site for the claim form and deadline.
• Damaged homes: if your home was damaged, or destroyed in a declared emergency, you may keep the exemption as long as you intend to return and live there again.

1. Check your district. Your address decides where you enroll. In the City of Los Angeles that is LAUSD; separate cities in Los Angeles County may have their own districts, in which case you use that district's system.
2. Start enrollment. Enroll online through LAUSD One Enrollment, or download the Student Enrollment Form, fill it out electronically, then print, sign and take it to the school. LAUSD Parent Hotline: (213) 443-1300.
3. Gather documents. A Turkish passport is enough to prove your child's age. A lease, a utility bill or similar documents prove residency; a school may not require documents such as a driver's license or voter registration for that. Bring your child's immunization records.
4. Language assessment. At first enrollment 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, which decides English-learner status.

• Transitional Kindergarten (TK): TK is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program, and state law sets the age cutoff. For 2026-27, a child must turn 4 on or before September 1, 2026, 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. Texas's conscientious-objection exemption does not exist here.
• Newcomer students: LAUSD publishes the "We Are One L.A. Unified" resource guide for immigrant families. The International Newcomer Enrichment Summer Program is open to foreign-born students in grades 9 to 12 who enrolled in a U.S. school within the last 36 months, with up to 10 elective credits and academic-language support.

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

• My Health LA is gone: LA County's former program for the uninsured, My Health LA, closed on January 31, 2024. Ignore older guides that tell you to sign up for it.
• DHS Ability to Pay: LA County DHS's financial assistance is not insurance but an income-based discount for care at DHS facilities. At or below 200% of the poverty level you pay $0 for medically necessary inpatient, outpatient and emergency care; above that, sliding-scale discounts apply. Assets are not counted. DHS policy: no one is denied services because they cannot pay. Apply in person at DHS Patient Financial Services, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; brochures come in more than 15 languages.
• 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: Medi-Cal and other benefits go through BenefitsCal. LA County DPSS Customer Service Center: (866) 613-3777.
• 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 options

Mobile Clinic Project at UCLA · Hollywood

A student-run, nonprofit street-side clinic operating since 2000. In its own words, there are no requirements: no ID, documentation or payment is needed, and all are welcome. It offers medical visits and acute care, referrals to other resources, clothing, hygiene and harm reduction supplies, phone charging, and a limited number of laundry vouchers and bus passes. Spanish-speaking volunteers are on site, and a live interpreter is available for other languages. There is no appointment line; just come at the times below.

Wednesdays, 6:30 to 9 p.m.: Salvation Army parking lot, 5941 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles.
2nd and 4th Sundays, 1 to 3 p.m.: behind the LA LGBT Center, 1625 Schrader Blvd, Los Angeles.
Information for clients and schedule · About the project

USC Keck Student-Run Clinic (Neighborhood Wellness Programs) · Downtown LA

An interprofessional clinic run by USC Keck School of Medicine students in medicine, occupational therapy, pharmacy and physical therapy. It provides care at no charge to eligible patients and focuses on the uninsured and people experiencing homelessness, but it does not publish its eligibility rules. Services include full history and physical exams, preventive screenings, medication reconciliation and wellness education. The clinics sit inside a shelter and health centers. The page lists no hours or scheduling number, so confirm access through the linked page before you go.

Locations: Volunteers of America Men's Shelter, Wesley Health Center (downtown LA) and the Los Angeles General Medical Center Wellness Center.
USC Keck: Neighborhood Wellness Programs

Centers with income-based fees

St. John's Community Health · South LA, Compton and the Inland Empire

A federally qualified health center (FQHC) network. Fees follow your household income as a share of the federal poverty level (FPL). The schedule is updated every year, and your band is honored for 12 months. St. John's says you will not be denied service for inability to pay. It accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare and several managed-care plans.

Sample locations: St. John's at Hyde Park, 6505 8th Ave, Los Angeles · Avalon Health and Access Center, 6818 Avalon Blvd, Los Angeles.
LA area: (323) 541-1411 · Inland Empire: (909) 703-4099 · Fee schedule and accepted insurance

Wesley Health Centers (JWCH Institute) · Multiple LA County locations

One of the largest homeless health care providers in LA County, with six locations dedicated to people experiencing homelessness plus general community health centers. Patients at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines get a sliding fee schedule. JWCH says no one is turned away because they cannot pay or are uninsured. Services include primary care, behavioral health, dental, HIV care, substance use disorder treatment, optometry and recuperative care, plus a food pantry, showers, a mail room and housing navigation.

One location: 320 N Madison Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004.
Appointment Center: 1-866-733-5924 · Homeless health care and locations

Venice Family Clinic · Westside, Inglewood and South Bay

Eligibility is based on income and family size only, with discounts through a sliding fee program; care is not free by default. The clinic's Statement of Inclusivity says it does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, national origin, immigration status, disability, gender, housing status, religion or ability to pay when deciding who can be served. That is a nondiscrimination policy, not a promise of free care. It accepts Medi-Cal, Covered California and Medicare, and also serves uninsured patients.

One location: Venice Family Clinic (Levine), 905 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA.
Call center: (310) 392-8636 (Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) · Insurance enrollment help: (310) 664-7509 · Patient resources

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 the DHS Ability to Pay program and emergency care. My Health LA, which some older guides still list, closed on January 31, 2024; do not try to apply for it.

• Where: all 7 RR/CC branch offices issue marriage licenses. Because RR/CC also runs elections, its website is lavote.gov. You can start the application online at marriage.lavote.net before your visit. Information line: (800) 201-8999.
• ID: both of you need unexpired, government-issued photo ID. A valid foreign passport is generally accepted; check RR/CC's list of accepted IDs before you go.
• Public or confidential: a public license requires a witness at the ceremony, and a certified copy can later be requested by the couple, immediate family or someone with a legal interest. A confidential license is for couples already living together; no witness is needed, the record is not publicly searchable, and only the couple (or someone with a court order) can get a certified copy.
• Express ceremony: license and ceremony in one 45-minute appointment, available at all 7 branches. The ceremony costs $35, plus $20 if RR/CC provides the witness.
• After the ceremony: a certified copy of a public marriage certificate is $19.

• RR/CC in person: $32 per copy, plus $1.75 for card payments; online orders add a $9 fee. Book online up to 3 weeks ahead. Records from 1962 to today (except 1972 to 1977) are handed over at the appointment; other years and all "informational" copies are mailed within 20 business days. Cash, check, money order, debit and credit cards, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are accepted.
• DPH Vital Records: the LA County Department of Public Health issues authorized certified copies by appointment for $34. Bring valid photo ID.
• By mail: RR/CC also takes mail requests; a certified copy by mail usually requires a notarized statement.
• 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 offices; use it for older records or births outside LA County.
• Which copy: for a U.S. passport and for registering the birth in Türkiye, ask for an authorized certified copy. An "informational" copy is not valid for identity purposes. Authorized copies go to the registrant, parents, legal guardians or someone with a court order.
• 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: SSA expects you to book before an in-person visit. Call the office or the national line, 1-800-772-1213.
• Offices in the City of Los Angeles: Wilshire Center (4000 Wilshire Blvd), Downtown (1401 W 8th St), University Village/Pico-Union (1122 W Washington Blvd, Suite 200), Boyle Heights (215 N Soto St), Crenshaw (3840 Crenshaw Blvd), Watts (12429 Avalon Blvd) and Westwood (11500 W Olympic Blvd, Suite 300), all open weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Your ZIP code decides which office serves you, so confirm with the SSA office 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 a driver's license, school registration or private health insurance.

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).

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. 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.

IRS offices and ITIN expiration

• Appointments: IRS offices work by appointment only, at 844-545-5640. Find offices near Los Angeles that review ITIN documents on the IRS list or the IRS office locator. Appointments can take several weeks.
• Expiration: an ITIN not used on a federal return for three years in a row expires.

• LLC: Form LLC-1 is filed online only, $70. Owners do not need to be U.S. citizens or California residents, but you need a registered agent with a California address.
• Statement of Information: due within 90 days of formation, then every two years; online, $20.
• The $800 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 with the Secretary of State. The first-year exemption covered only tax years 2021 to 2023, so an LLC formed in 2026 pays in its first year. Older articles online still say otherwise.
• Higher revenue: LLCs with more than $250,000 in California income also owe an extra fee of $900 to $11,790.
• Who needs a DBA: anyone doing business for profit under a name that does not include the owner's surname files in the county of the principal place of business. For Los Angeles, that is the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
• DBA fees: $26 for a first filing with one name and one registrant, plus $5 for each additional name or registrant. A name search is $5 per name; renewal is $26. Cash, check, money order or card ($1.75 card fee).
• Newspaper publication is required: within 45 days of filing, publish the statement in a newspaper of general circulation in the county once a week for four weeks in a row. Renewals do not need to be republished. This step is easy to miss.
• Business license is separate: the County Clerk does not issue business licenses. Get one from the city where you operate, or, in unincorporated areas, from the LA County Business License office at (213) 974-2011.

• What changed in CalFresh: on April 1, 2026, refugees, asylees, parolees, trafficking survivors, people granted withholding of removal and some battered noncitizens lost federal CalFresh eligibility. People in these groups who already receive benefits keep them 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, but not all, of the groups cut from federal CalFresh. Check eligibility before assuming your category is out.
• Medi-Cal: since January 1, 2026, adults 19 and older without a satisfactory immigration status can no longer newly enroll in full-scope Medi-Cal; they get restricted coverage for emergencies and pregnancy only. Children and pregnant people are not affected by the freeze. More 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: on September 14, 2026 a coalition of more than 20 states and a group of cities led by New York City sued. California is one of the plaintiff states. As of September 25, 2026, no court has 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.

• 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 "Los Angeles CA" as the office. Times update monthly.
• Biometrics: the center is assigned on your I-797C notice; you do not choose it. Go to the address on the notice, not the center that sounds closest. You can reschedule for good cause. Our biometrics guide covers what to bring.
• One building, several agencies: the federal building at 300 N Los Angeles St also houses an immigration court and ICE and CBP offices. Check the room or suite number on your 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.
• The asylum office is not in Los Angeles: the Los Angeles Asylum Office is in Tustin, Orange County, more than 35 miles from downtown. Plan for the drive.

• Hours: all three are open weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the filing window until 4 p.m.
• Olive Street: the old court closed on April 17, 2024 and its cases moved to these three courts. Ignore that address if you see it in an old document or online.
• Orange County and detained cases: if you live in Orange County, your case may be at the Santa Ana immigration court instead. One of the Southern California courts that hears detained cases is in Adelanto, inside the detention facility (10250 Rancho Rd, Suite 201A, Adelanto, CA 92301).
• 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 Los Angeles: 300 N Los Angeles St, Room 7631, Los Angeles, CA 90012. 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 office for LAX is not at the airport: it is in the downtown federal building at 300 N Los Angeles St, Room 2067, Los Angeles, CA 90012, open Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. (closed Fridays), (310) 665-4580. 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.
• 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 the Los Angeles Superior Court summons you, follow the instructions on the summons to report that you are not a citizen; do not leave it unanswered.

Recently naturalized? The deadline to register for the November 3, 2026 election is October 19, 2026 (15 days before Election Day); your application must be postmarked or submitted online by then. In Los Angeles, voter registration and elections are run by the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (lavote.gov). California's elections line is (800) 345-VOTE (8683).

• Find an acceptance facility: passport facility locator. These locations (post offices, libraries, county offices) accept new applications (DS-11) only; appointments and hours vary by location.
• What to bring: your original proof of citizenship, valid ID and a passport photo.
• Children: a passport book for a child under 16 costs $100 plus the $35 acceptance fee.
• Urgent travel: Los Angeles Passport Agency, West L.A. Federal Building, 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90024, weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointment only, with proof of travel within 14 days (or a foreign visa needed within 28 days), plus the $60 expedite fee. Appointments are free at passportappointment.travel.state.gov; third parties charging for them are scams. Information line: (877) 487-2778.
• Online renewal: for adults 25 and older with a 10-year passport, only at opr.travel.state.gov.

La Brea Tar Pits: the museum building closed on July 7, 2026 for a renovation of about two years; only the outdoor areas of Hancock Park are open. Leave the museum off your list for now.

Free

• Griffith Observatory: the building and terraces are free; planetarium shows are ticketed. Closed Mondays.
• Getty Center and Getty Villa: free admission with a timed reservation. Parking is paid.
• The Broad: general admission is free. Reservations are recommended, and there is a walk-up line.
• California Science Center: core galleries free every day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame, Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach: free to walk. The Venice skatepark is open from 9 a.m. to sunset.

Free on certain days

• LACMA: free for everyone on the second Tuesday of the month, and for LA County residents on weekdays after 3 p.m.
• Natural History Museum: free for LA County residents on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m.
• The Huntington: free on the first Thursday of each month. Tickets are released at 9 a.m. on the last Thursday of the previous month and go within minutes.
• Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge): free on the third Tuesday of each month. Tickets open at 10 a.m. on the 1st of the month.

With kids

• California Science Center: air and space galleries and IMAX. The new Air and Space Center opens November 13, 2026.
• Natural History Museum: dinosaur hall and butterfly pavilion.
• Griffith Observatory: telescopes and the planetarium.
• Santa Monica Pier: Pacific Park's rides and Ferris wheel on the pier.
• Universal Studios Hollywood: Super Nintendo World and the Harry Potter area. Ticketed; prices vary by date.

Nearby

• Disneyland (Anaheim, Orange County): ticketed; hours change daily, so check the official calendar before you go.
• Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge): the Enchanted: Forest of Light night walk runs November 22, 2026 to January 9, 2027, ticketed separately.

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]. General office hours are weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. The Consul General is Menekşe Onuk. The consulate's English site is losangeles-cg.mfa.gov.tr.

Check the 2026 fees and which services can be done by mail in the consulate's information notes before your appointment.

Tips for your visit

• Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, plus Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. All of California falls under this consulate.
• Timing: in-person services run in the morning only. The consulate is in an office building on Wilshire Boulevard, so leave early to allow for building security and parking.
• Several errands? Book a separate appointment for each one. If you are coming from another state, this saves you a second trip.
• Holiday: the consulate is closed on October 29, 2026 (Republic Day). Check its site for other closures before booking.
• Birth registration: to register a U.S.-born child in the Turkish civil registry, bring the original birth certificate and a copy, the parents' IDs, a marriage certificate if any, and the multiple citizenship form. Parents' names must match Turkish records. For a baby born in Los Angeles, the birth certificate comes from the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk or LA County Public Health.
• Military service (askerlik): men born in 2007 must complete their registration (yoklama) by December 31, 2026. 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 about any transfer fee before your appointment. The amount changes on January 1, 2027. Applicants must have U.S. residence or work authorization, 3 years (1,095 days) of work abroad, the Ministry of Defense online training and residence in the consular district, and must apply in person. 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.

• Los Angeles office: 300 South Spring Street, Room 12513, Los Angeles, CA 90013. As of September 25, 2026 it is temporarily in Suite 1215 on the 1st floor because of an elevator outage, so check the SOS apostille page before you go. No appointments; you take a number.
• Fees and payment: $20 per document. In person, add a $6 special handling fee for each different public official whose signature is on your documents. The Los Angeles office takes Visa, Mastercard, checks or money orders only, not cash (the Sacramento office does take cash).
• By mail: Notary Public Section, P.O. Box 942877, Sacramento, CA 94277-0001. No $6 fee by mail. Requests are processed in the order received; there is no expedited mail service.
• Which documents qualify: vital records signed by a county clerk, county recorder or the State Registrar, notarized documents and documents signed by a California public official. Documents signed by a local health officer may first need certification by the county clerk.
• Pop-up events in Southern California: the Secretary of State plans one-day apostille events in Santa Ana on October 21, San Bernardino on November 10 and San Diego on December 2, 2026. Venue details are posted on the SOS page closer to each date.
• 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 Los Angeles is the easiest time. At noon in Los Angeles it is already 10 p.m. in Istanbul in summer and 11 p.m. in winter.
• Nonstop flights: Turkish Airlines flies between Los Angeles (LAX) and Istanbul Airport (IST). Frequency can change by season, so check current times on turkishairlines.com.
• San Francisco: Turkish Airlines also flies nonstop between San Francisco (SFO) and Istanbul.
• One-stop options: airlines at LAX with European and Gulf hubs can connect you to Istanbul. Schedules vary.