Real ID: Married Women Beware!

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yes, my DL expires on my birthday, December this year. Here's hoping Ohio's dept of health works quicker than more government departments

Ahh.. that may very well be what the DMV person meant. Yes if it's expired it really can't be used for ID. But that would be a separate issue than whether the ID was a REAL ID or non-REAL ID

Well I hope it all works out for you so fingers crossed!

 

[FunkyDuckToo]

That is nice for you. In PA it is about double regular license renewal I chose not to give them anymore money and will just use passport.

I'm in PA too...if there was a way to charge us for each breath we take, I'm sure Pennsylvania would do it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I was married outside of the United States. The "man-in-charge" at the DMV said my marriage certificate probably would not be accepted because it does not have an "official seal" on it, even though it states "certified copy of marriage register".

I'm assuming your marriage is recognized in the U.S. though according to our U.S. website "If you get married abroad and need to know if your marriage will be recognized in the United States and what documentation may be needed, contact the office of the Attorney General of your state of residence in the United States."

Did you need to file your marriage license with the state when you reside in as I'm assuming you were given the foreign marriage certificate? Or is it only filed in the country in which you were married in?

Did you change your name when you got married? If so what documentation was required then?

I wonder if you have to request it through the country you were married in? If you look up for the country you were married in does it say something like a raised seal or a seal or embossed seal will accompany the copy you request?

 

[Searc]

I didn't read all these pages, but have something different to add to the mix:
I went to get my real ID and thought I had all the documents, birth certificate, sscard, 2 forms of ID such as electric bill, car insurance bill.
BUT, I found out that my "birth certificate" was not a birth certificate!!!! It says on top, " Certificate of Birth". I am 69 y/o and I have the BC that my mother gave to me long ago, or so I thought! It doesn't have the names of my mother and father at all on it! I honestly never looked at it closely when I got it, other than reading the title of Certificate of Birth. This is from Ohio. Now, I have to wait for the Ohio health department to send me an expensive copy of my BC and hope I get it before we travel this Spring!!!! I also really need it before my license expires in December this year, so really before Spring. All I can do is hope it gets here before mid December, or I was informed my DL would not be accepted anywhere as proof of ID.
So, a heads up to others who have to do this confusing process.

You don't need a Real ID until next October. You'll be fine to travel in the Spring with your regular Drivers License.

 

[Lilsia]

What state are you in?

This is from the site for Pennsylvania for Real ID .....
Proof of all legal name changes: Certified marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree issued by your county's family court.


So even for events that happened 40-50 years ago, you still need to show the chain of names from A-B-C.





We ordered new birth certificates just in case. Ours either have no seals or embossed area or just plain falling apart. We hadn't looked at them for decades.

I live in Nebraska. The only thing that they require is proof of citizenship, which is your birth certificate, proof of residency(bills to your address), and either social security card or passport. No need for marriage licence, etc. Again, that is redundant because you had to show that to update your social security card. And that is why a passport works as Real ID, they already have gone through the background. I think that some states/DMVs are confused and are just asking for everything, even the unnecessary.

 

[Diznygrl]

I might have said this before earlier in the thread, but it's the inconsistency of all of this that drives me nuts. How are some states able to issue Real IDs all willy nilly without documentation while the others have to jump through hoops ten times over in order to prove they're legal residents of the US? Then some places don't even care how many proofs or residence you have or if you can trace back an old dissolved marriage from 50 years ago, while others freak out over a small typo on your birth certificate or if your perfectly valid and legal marriage certificate is the "old" kind that they don't make anymore. If it's not consistent across the board then it just seems to defeat the purpose of it all. The people from Maryland who just automatically got the gold star on their license will still be able to get on the plane just as easily as the person from Pennsylvania with the gold star, even if what they went through to get it is vastly different.

 

[georgina]

They need to be able to accurately track changes to your legal name. Friend I referenced earlier took her SS card (birth name), passport (married name), and current driver's license (married name). Because she didn't have her marriage license with her, they could not document the legal change from birth name to married name, so they wouldn't issue the real ID. (She also had a bunch of other identifying stuff- I think she said tax return, a bill in her name/address, and... something else, can't remember. They weren't interested in any of that at all.)

Really? One of the first things I did after getting married and changing my name was a trip to the SS office to get my name updated with SSA. I agree with a previous poster - I had to show my marriage license to update my SS card, that should be good enough for a PA real ID!

 

[EMom]

So looking into this further it looks like Texas automatically gives you a REAL ID based on this comment from the FAQs:

View attachment 447128

At least that's the way I'm reading it. So renewing early means you get a REAL ID. Not renewing early means the next time around it will be a REAL ID but beginning October 1, 2020 the non-expired and non-REAL ID it won't be able to be used for flying and other Federal places.

One does have to be eligible for online renewal though in the first place.

**These are just my interpretation of the information**

Thank you!
See, apartment j, I have no hidden agenda to elicit a "reaction." My post was based in reality.

 

[disneychrista]

I live in Nebraska. The only thing that they require is proof of citizenship, which is your birth certificate, proof of residency(bills to your address), and either social security card or passport. No need for marriage licence, etc. Again, that is redundant because you had to show that to update your social security card. And that is why a passport works as Real ID, they already gone through the background. I think that some states/DMVs are confused and are just asking for everything, even the unnecessary.

But doesn't the marriage license serve as proof of name change? Meaning your were born Jane Smith then marriage John Green and are now Jane Green. Doesn't there need to be something that show why you are now Jane Green?

 

[RamblingMad]

Sounds like it’s easier to get divorced than get one of these IDs. I expect an uptick in divorces.

 

[Lilsia]

But doesn't the marriage license serve as proof of name change? Meaning your were born Jane Smith then marriage John Green and are now Jane Green. Doesn't there need to be something that show why you are now Jane Green?

Yes, the marriage licence showed proof of the name change, which is then given to the social security office to have it changed. Now you have established your legal name change and can get a driver's license in your married name. I could not change my name on my driver's license until I had the updated social security card. Maybe that is why my state is easier to transition, because they have done it right from the beginning. I don't know how woman have received a new DL in their married name without the updated SS card. When you get a job and pay your taxes, your name should match what they have on file for you in the SS administration. Jane Green can not file taxes under the social security number of Jane Smith.

 

[LilyWDW]

I got a Real ID compliant license in IN back when I first moved here in 2014. I took the normal items one would take and had no problems at all. I honestly didn't even KNOW that that is what the gold star meant.

 

[disneychrista]

Yes, the marriage licence showed proof of the name change, which is then given to the social security office to have it changed. Now you have established your legal name change and can get a driver's license in your married name. I could not change my name on my driver's license until I had the updated social security card. Maybe that is why my state is easier to transition, because they have done it right from the beginning. I don't know how woman have received a new DL in their married name without the updated SS card. When you get a job and pay your taxes, your name should match what they have on file for you in the SS administration. Jane Green can not file taxes under the social security number of Jane Smith.

Not sure of other states but California requires documentation of why the name on your Birth Certificate is not the same as that on your ID. A married woman would need her marriage license/certificate.

 

[Lilsia]

Not sure of other states but California requires documentation of why the name on your Birth Certificate is not the same as that on your ID. A married woman would need her marriage license/certificate.

That is unfortunate. I don't even know where my marriage licence is anymore after 24 years. It has not been an issue in my state, as they have already established that I have legally changed my name. Otherwise, I would not have an ID in my married name. I have come across a couple of times where I had to show my birth certificate and I just said that I was married, that is why the name is different. It is pretty common sense. This is just another way to harass woman, IMO. It's not like being married and having your name changed is an odd occurrence. When the first and middle name and your date of birth match, but the only difference is your last name, it does not take a genius to figure out that you are the same person.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Not sure of other states but California requires documentation of why the name on your Birth Certificate is not the same as that on your ID. A married woman would need her marriage license/certificate.

According to Nebraska DMV so does Nebraska:
"In the event of a name change, you must present document(s) (certified marriage license(s), certified divorce decree(s) or a court order) that links your new name to the name that currently exists on your permit, driver’s license or State ID Card. Lawful status applicants may use a petition of Name Change."

I think what the PP may be talking about is that the name has already been changed on the DL so there's no need to 'link' it as it's already been done. Like I said with a PP this is just my interpretation.

I think if a person was renewing or applying for a new DL (like they were coming from out of state) and was needing to do a name change they would need to reflect why the name change was needed which is where the marriage certificate was coming into play. Incidentally if your name has changed since your last DL has been issued by NE then you cannot renew online since you need to submit the proof/link for the name change.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That is unfortunate. I don't even know where my marriage licence is anymore after 24 years. It has not been an issue in my state, as they have already established that I have legally changed my name. Otherwise, I would not have an ID in my married name. I have come across a couple of times where I had to show my birth certificate and I just said that I was married, that is why the name is different. It is pretty common sense. This is just another way to harass woman, IMO. It's not like being married and having your name changed is an odd occurrence. When the first and middle name and your date of birth match, but the only difference is your last name, it does not take a genius to figure out that you are the same person.

It's not been a problem because you've changed your DL previously to have your married name. The link was already previously made.

I don't know what the rules were in your state when you changed your name on the DL but the rules are as follows for Nebraska:
"Your name must be updated within 60 days of your name change. Visit a driver's licensing location to make the updates to your license.

You must bring your previous license and evidence of your name change:

• Certified documents such as a marriage license, divorce decree or a court order. The documentation that you present must enable the driver licensing staff to tie the two names together.
• Note: In order to change any other name, besides the last name, when using a marriage license, the full legal name prior to marriage and the full legal name after marriage must be on the marriage license."

Some states do have more hoops to go through for REAL ID but there will still be situations in Nebraska where someone needs to have a certified copy of their marriage license to link/connect the different names.

 

[Diznygrl]

No, the marriage license is still required even if your social security card and your old DL already have your married name on them. At least that's how they're doing it in California. I'm not married but my mom is and had to go through this rigamarole.

 

[Lilsia]

It's not been a problem because you've changed your DL previously to have your married name. The link was already previously made.

I don't know what the rules were in your state when you changed your name on the DL but the rules are as follows for Nebraska:
"Your name must be updated within 60 days of your name change. Visit a driver's licensing location to make the updates to your license.

You must bring your previous license and evidence of your name change:

• Certified documents such as a marriage license, divorce decree or a court order. The documentation that you present must enable the driver licensing staff to tie the two names together.
• Note: In order to change any other name, besides the last name, when using a marriage license, the full legal name prior to marriage and the full legal name after marriage must be on the marriage license."

Some states do have more hoops to go through for REAL ID but there will still be situations in Nebraska where someone needs to have a certified copy of their marriage license to link/connect the different names.

Yes, the link has already been made and that is what we are talking about, woman who have been married for years now having to show their marriage license. For so many who are posting their experience, that is the case. Most already have a DL in their married name and have been married decades but are now saying that they have to show a marriage license. That does not make any sense. Of course when you first change your name, you have to show proof, but you should not have to keep showing it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No, the marriage license is still required even if your social security card and your old DL already have your married name on them. At least that's how they're doing it in California. I'm not married but my mom is and had to go through this rigamarole.

Which is why I said some states have more hoops to go through.

 

[disneychrista]

According to Nebraska DMV so does Nebraska:
"In the event of a name change, you must present document(s) (certified marriage license(s), certified divorce decree(s) or a court order) that links your new name to the name that currently exists on your permit, driver’s license or State ID Card. Lawful status applicants may use a petition of Name Change."

I think what the PP may be talking about is that the name has already been changed on the DL so there's no need to 'link' it as it's already been done. Like I said with a PP this is just my interpretation.

I think if a person was renewing or applying for a new DL (like they were coming from out of state) and was needing to do a name change they would need to reflect why the name change was needed which is where the marriage certificate was coming into play. Incidentally if your name has changed since your last DL has been issued by NE then you cannot renew online since you need to submit the proof/link for the name change.

Again, every state may be difference but California is making you bring in all the documents, even if you previously did. I had to bring in my birth certificate, my SS Card and the two proofs of residence. No marriages or name changes for me so at least that was one last thing to worry about.

I am amazed at those who are saying they went to their states DMV and clicked a few buttons and got the Real ID in the mail.