Starting August 1, applicants for certain licenses or permits must demonstrate U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S.

MONTGOMERY-The Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act  requires every person or sole proprietorship applying for certain licenses or permits to either demonstrate U.S. citizenship, or, if the person is an alien, to prove lawful presence in this country. The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) recently became authorized to use the federal government’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program. ADPH will verify an applicant’s immigration status or naturalized/derived citizenship status using the SAVE Program.

To comply with this law, ADPH requires the following for an initial permit or renewal application beginning Aug. 1:
·        A signed declaration
·        A legible photocopy or digital copy of a document demonstrating U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S.
A business entity must provide a declaration of business ownership structure if the type of ownership or business entity is not clearly indicated on the application.

Permits and licenses affected include the following:
·        Food service establishment permits
·        Hotel/motel permits
·        Emergency medical service personnel and medical provider licenses
·        Radioactive material licenses  

“We cannot process an application without the signed declaration and the appropriate supporting documentation,” Karen Bishop, ADPH Assistant General Counsel, said. “Please check the lists of documents that demonstrate U.S. citizenship and qualified alien status on our website and bring the appropriate documents with you when you make an application. You may send a legible photocopy of the document if you are applying or renewing by mail.”

ADPH will only verify the status of the individual who is licensed or permitted. Demonstration of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence is only required one time. To learn more about this Alabama law, view a listing of each of the ADPH permits and licenses subject to this law, and download the declaration form, please visit the ADPH website, http://adph.org/generalcounsel/Default.asp?id=7629

Media Release/ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH