TWC unemployment with out-of-state ID - can I still file in Texas?

Yes, you can absolutely file for unemployment in Texas with an out-of-state ID. The important factor is where you worked, not where your ID is from. TWC bases eligibility on where your wages were reported and where you physically worked, not on your ID. When you file, just enter your Oklahoma license information accurately in the ID section. You may need to verify your identity through ID.me, but an out-of-state license is perfectly acceptable for that process too.

The Texas Workforce Commission is RIDICULOUS about this stuff!! When I moved from Louisiana I had the SAME EXACT PROBLEM and spent WEEKS trying to get it resolved!!! They kept telling me different things every time I called (when I could even get through). One agent said I needed a TX ID first, another said it didn't matter, and a third told me I had to file in Louisiana even though I hadn't worked there in over a year!!! The system is designed to make you give up!!!

i had a pennsylvania license when i filed last year and it wasnt a problem. just make sure all your info matches exactly whats on ur id

My cousin moved here from Arizona last year and had this same issue! He was so worried but ended up being fine. The important thing is that your employer paid unemployment taxes to Texas, not what state issued your ID card. He said the ID.me verification was the most annoying part but even that went through ok with his AZ license.

I struggled for two weeks trying to reach someone at TWC when I had issues with my claim that involved my ID from another state. Busy signals, disconnections, and automated systems that went nowhere. Then I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) and they got me connected to a TWC agent in about 20 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/V-IMvH88P1U?si=kNxmh025COIlIzKh. It was the only way I actually got my ID verification issue resolved without pulling my hair out.

To give you the most accurate information: You file your unemployment claim in the state where you worked, regardless of where your ID was issued. Make sure to have your Oklahoma license handy, along with your Social Security card and employment information. Technically, Texas residents are supposed to get a Texas license within 90 days of moving here, but that has no bearing on your unemployment claim eligibility. Since your wages were reported in Texas, you file with TWC. For the ID.me verification, just follow the prompts carefully and make sure all information matches exactly what's on your documents. Out-of-state IDs are processed normally through their system.

dont forget u need to do 3 work searches each week after u apply

Watch out for the ID.me verification part!!! That's where most people get STUCK with out-of-state ID!! They have a facial recognition system that sometimes FAILS and then you're locked out for 24 HOURS before trying again! Took me FOUR ATTEMPTS to get through it!

Just curious did u sort this out? my friend is moving here from florida next month and might be in the same boat

Quick update for anyone finding this thread later: As of 2025, TWC uses ID.me for identity verification regardless of which state issued your ID. The process includes document scanning (driver's license/state ID) and a selfie for facial matching. For best results: 1. Use good lighting when scanning documents 2. Make sure your ID isn't damaged or heavily worn 3. If automatic verification fails, select the video chat option 4. Have multiple forms of ID available (passport, birth certificate, etc.) An out-of-state ID is completely acceptable for this process. The important factor for unemployment eligibility is where your wages were earned, not where your ID was issued.

Glad to hear you got through the ID.me verification! This is really helpful info for others in similar situations. I moved here from New Mexico about 6 months ago and still have my NM license - haven't needed to file for unemployment yet but it's good to know this won't be an issue if I ever do. The lighting tip is especially useful since I know my ID is pretty beat up from being in my wallet so long. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Just wanted to add another data point here - I moved to Texas from Colorado about a year ago and filed for unemployment with my CO license without any issues. The TWC system accepted it just fine during the initial application. The ID.me verification took about 10 minutes total, and like others mentioned, good lighting is crucial. One thing I'll add is that if your out-of-state license is close to expiring, you might want to renew it or get a Texas one before filing, just to avoid any potential complications during the verification process. But bottom line - where you worked is what matters, not where your ID is from!

As someone who works in state government (not TWC but familiar with interstate processes), I can confirm what others have said - your unemployment claim follows where you worked, not where your ID was issued. Texas has reciprocal agreements with other states for these exact situations since people move around all the time. The ID.me verification system is actually designed to handle out-of-state documents, so you should be good to go. One small tip: if you have any utility bills or bank statements showing your Texas address, keep those handy just in case they ask for additional proof of residency during the process. Good luck with everything!

This thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm in a similar situation - moved from Michigan about 4 months ago and still have my MI license. Was putting off dealing with unemployment paperwork after losing my job last week, but reading everyone's experiences here gives me confidence to just go ahead and file. The consistent message seems to be: work location matters, ID state doesn't. Really appreciate how this community comes together to help each other navigate these stressful situations. Going to start my application this afternoon!

I just went through this exact same process last month! Had my Virginia license and was worried about the same thing. The application definitely works with out-of-state IDs - just enter your Oklahoma license info exactly as it appears on the card. The key thing that helped me was making sure my phone camera was steady during the ID.me scanning part. Also, don't panic if the facial recognition takes a few seconds to process - mine seemed to hang for a bit but went through fine. Since you've been working and paying taxes in Texas, you're absolutely filing in the right state. The whole thing took me about 45 minutes to complete once I actually sat down and did it. Good luck!

I'm going through the exact same situation right now! Just moved to Texas from California 6 months ago and still have my CA license. Lost my job two weeks ago and have been putting off filing because I wasn't sure about the ID requirements. Reading through all these responses is such a relief - it sounds like as long as I worked in Texas and my employer paid into the Texas system, I should be good to go regardless of my California license. Planning to start my application tomorrow morning. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, especially the tips about lighting and camera steadiness for the ID.me verification. This community is amazing for helping people navigate these stressful situations!

I just wanted to jump in here as someone who recently went through this exact situation! I moved to Texas from Illinois about 10 months ago and still had my IL license when I filed for unemployment in January. I was super anxious about it at first, but it turned out to be completely fine. The TWC system accepted my Illinois license without any issues during the application process. For the ID.me verification part, I had to do it twice - the first time the lighting in my kitchen wasn't good enough and it failed the document scan. I moved to my living room where there's a big window and better overhead lighting, and it went through perfectly on the second try. The facial recognition part worked fine too, though it did take about 10-15 seconds which felt like forever when you're nervous! One thing I learned is that they really do care about where you worked, not where your ID is from. My employer had been paying into the Texas unemployment system the whole time I worked there, so that's what mattered. The whole application took me about an hour total, including the ID.me verification. Hope this helps ease some worries for anyone else in a similar situation! The process is definitely set up to handle out-of-state IDs, so don't let that stop you from filing if you need benefits.