Community Chat

[Abrowneyegirl]

So I attempted to get my Real ID with my DL renewal as it is cheaper that way (and I thought easier).

Ugghh!

I apparently got some wrong information and the information on the web only confirmed the wrong information so I was not pleased when I got there and was denied.  (insert frowny face)

Even though I had a valid passport, valid state driver license and 5 forms of approved resident verification (utility bills, car registration, etc)  I was DENIED as I did not have my social security card in addition to all of the above.

I was told the SS card was necessary if you DO NOT have a passport were using a birth certificate etc.  I thought that made perfect sense because a valid passport carries a greater burden of proof than a SS card.

I even asked them why would the SS card be more useful than the passport as one has a photo and the other does not.  Of course, they don't know they only know they just to point to the list on the wall.

So no Real ID for me.  Too bad, not sad.

I have shared this with friends and family as we have some seniors that are going to struggle to have all the necessary proof.  Especially with the SS card with their current last name, we have friends that have married and divorced and have not changed their cards. 

Our neighbor has a hyphenated last name and not every bill or 

registration consistently has the hyphen correct and she can not get a Real ID either but she has a passport.

I now understand why people are frustrated and not getting the ID's.  Between the expense and the hassle, it is not easy.  I do not know anyone who has it yet.  

[catter70]

I"m not even going to bother.I heard it was a real pain and I probably won't have all the info they need, anyhow.

[deepwaterdotter]

At my DMV office in Wisconsin it took 35 minutes to get my Real ID license.  But I did present a SS card with my correct name.

[CelticCrafter]

I don't understand why they say your SS card can used as a form of ID.

[Chicagosuburbangirl]

Thank you for this post as we were just talking about it at work today.

Will have to stop over at SS so you saved me some time.

[gulf coast girl]

It's a pain in the rear for sure. I went 2 weeks ago to renew my drivers license. I am a safe driver, have never once had any accidents. I took all the necessary ****** they want to look at but was denied all because my birth certificate was so darn old and crumpled up looking the woman refused and told me I needed a better looking document. Are you kidding me..... so I came home, got online and paid $27 to have a new copy sent here, still waiting for it. Once it finally gets here than I get the thrill of making another appointment just to get up there and sit and wait. What a bunch of ******. 

[Venezia]

I have no intention of getting a "Real ID".  Just one more mega-source of all of our personal data for hackers to steal from.  No one is telling me that the federal government is going to keep all that data, from millions of Americans in every state, secure.  Hackers have cracked into the Pentagon and that should be the safest site in the world.

Too "Big Brother" for me.  If I need to travel or enter a federal building, I'll use my passport and keep my driver's license information separate.

[alicedee]

Just a note on name changes.....when I divorced, I had the judge change my last name back to my birth name.  You are supposed to notify Social Security....take them a notarized copy of the court approved name change.  They automatically send you an updated card.

If there are women who have neglected to notify Social Security about a name change, they will have a lot to do down the road...more then getting an enhanced driver's license.

[Shelbelle]

We got ours here in MD last March, I brought everything but the kitchen sink with me.

[sunshine45]

you dont necessarily need your social security card. my mother could not find hers. she used a 1099 form from the bank that was attached to last years federal tax returns.

you can also provide a document that has your social security number on it, like a W2 form. a 1099 form (either from the SSA or a non SSA entity), a current pay stub, or a document from SSA demonstrating non-work authorized status.