TSA is starting that RealID stuff again...
Aug 6, 2018, 12:30 pm
#106
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I know I've told this story before but once when I went to renew my license, with a whole handful of documents, I encountered a little old man in tears. He was trying to get his license renewed (in my state you don't have a choice, you are required to get a REAL ID license) but was refused because one of his documents, his birth certificate, showed his name as John Smith and another (IIRC it was his Social Security card) as John Joseph Smith, Joseph being his confirmation name. He was told he had to get proof from the church where he was confirmed of the addition of the name Joseph. He told the DMV clerk that he had been confirmed in Italy 60 years prior and didn't have any idea in which church or even where it was.
Basically, he was told "tough luck, you can't renew your driver's license." I also don't know if my state (or DHS) has taken any steps to rectify such idiotic bureaucracy or not.
Basically, he was told "tough luck, you can't renew your driver's license." I also don't know if my state (or DHS) has taken any steps to rectify such idiotic bureaucracy or not.
Aug 6, 2018, 12:33 pm
#107
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I wonder if having his confirmation name is so important to him or not, but in the worst case he could quickly "correct" his name with the SSA and re-apply. Alternatively, if he has a US passport that includes his confirmation name, he could use that too because a birth certificate and a passport are both considered primary documents when applying for a Real-ID.
And the passport name has to match the SS name or you won't get it.
Aug 6, 2018, 1:35 pm
#108
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So not to hijack the topic - but how is this supposed to work for illegals who are currently issued California licenses. I would imagine most of them will not have valid SSN cards, and the overseas birth certs may be a problem.
Aug 6, 2018, 4:06 pm
#109
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions for the Public
In California they will continue to receive driver licenses with the wording "Federal Limits Apply" (front) and "not acceptable for official federal purposes" (back).
REAL ID allows compliant states to issue driver's licenses and identification cards where the identity of the applicant cannot be assured or for whom lawful presence is not determined. In fact, some states currently issue such noncompliant cards to undocumented individuals. These cards must clearly state on their face (and in the machine readable zone) that it is not acceptable for official purposes and must use a unique design or color to differentiate them from compliant cards. DHS cautions against assuming that possession of a noncompliant card indicates the holder is an undocumented individual, given that several states issue noncompliant licenses for reasons unrelated to lawful presence.
Last edited by TWA884; Aug 6, 2018 at 4:13 pm Reason: Append
Aug 7, 2018, 6:32 pm
#110
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
As for the passport, if it had the same name as the SSA, then that old man from the Petaluma's story had to keep it current to avoid the problem's with the DMV. A citizen can bring a passport or a passport card to prove the full name and legal status.
Aug 7, 2018, 7:26 pm
#111
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If you don't mind me asking, how did they make it hard for your wife to change her name with the SSA? Well, when my wife and I naturalized, we went to a SSA on the same day and changed our names there. She received her new card the next day (!!!), and I received mine in 1.5 weeks. The delay, according to a SSA representative, was due to the USCIS slow response in confirming my change of status. Still, not that long. If it's a simple name change (due to marriage or a court order), it shouldn't take weeks.
As for the passport, if it had the same name as the SSA, then that old man from the Petaluma's story had to keep it current to avoid the problem's with the DMV. A citizen can bring a passport or a passport card to prove the full name and legal status.
As for the passport, if it had the same name as the SSA, then that old man from the Petaluma's story had to keep it current to avoid the problem's with the DMV. A citizen can bring a passport or a passport card to prove the full name and legal status.
B: Over there, it's A's job.
Even then they didn't want to do it.
Aug 7, 2018, 10:36 pm
#112
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: KSUX
Posts: 906
Since my DL expired at the end of July and I'm in my 60 days grace period to get it renewed I'm trying to decide if it's worth the hassle of getting the documentation together, going to the only DMV office in the city (which is across town), and waiting in line for God knows how long is worth it seeing as I already have my passport, passport card, and GE card that I could use. I see on the DHS website it says Iowa is compliant but I assume that's only if you specifically request to have the star added after providing the "proper" documentation. Since I rarely drive I'm half tempted to just renew online and use my passport card for the couple times a year I fly.
Aug 8, 2018, 9:29 am
#113
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I needed to come in for an eye examination when I renewed my CDL; I think that it is required every 15 years.
I made an appointment online. A convenient time was available at the DMV office closest to my home the week after I received the renewal notice in the mail.
I got to the DMV a few minutes early. I brought my passport, Social Security card and property tax bill. I was in and out in less than half an hour. The new license with the Real ID designation, a bear and yellow star on the upper right hand corner, arrived less than a week later.
Now, people who showed up without appointments stood in a very long line that extended out of the building all the way to the sidewalk.
I made an appointment online. A convenient time was available at the DMV office closest to my home the week after I received the renewal notice in the mail.
I got to the DMV a few minutes early. I brought my passport, Social Security card and property tax bill. I was in and out in less than half an hour. The new license with the Real ID designation, a bear and yellow star on the upper right hand corner, arrived less than a week later.
Now, people who showed up without appointments stood in a very long line that extended out of the building all the way to the sidewalk.
Aug 8, 2018, 10:05 am
#115
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Aug 8, 2018, 10:23 am
#116
Join Date: Jul 2007
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The LA Times also had a story today (may have been the same one) about long waits (4-6 hours!) at DMV offices in populated areas. The story cited a DMV spokesman who said explaining REAL ID to customers added 5 minutes to each customer interaction and that has caused longer lines. My experience with the DMV appointment system is that the DMV visit has been quick and efficient but getting a very near term appointment time slot is a problem. DMV customers who wait too long to take care of their DMV business may find that they can't get an appointment in time and then must go and stand in line. I also avoid the DMV by renewing my vehicle registration online or at the AAA club office.
Aug 8, 2018, 10:26 am
#117
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So wait times are the worse in Sacramento area where wait times increased by 60% to 102 minutes average from year 2017 to 2018. That in no way corresponds to wait times of several hours as being reported.
“Wait times are increasing, the lines are going around the block,” said Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco. “Having people wait 4, 5, 6, 7 hours is completely unacceptable.”
Aug 8, 2018, 11:39 am
#118
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The District of Columbia, which typically does nothing well, handled this very well.
1. Online interactive form in which you check the boxes for the items you will bring with you. As you complete the online form, green check marks appear. Print the form and it serves as a reminder so that you then bring those documents, e.g., passport, SSA card, utility bill, or whatever. Application form is online and can be filled out and printed and brought with you. People who show up with insufficient documents are denied before tying up a processor. They may wait for assistance as to what they need to do or simply go back and do it correctly.
2. Go to DMV and stand in line. If you do this weekdays between 9:30-11:30 AM or 1:30-4:00 PM, it is about a 15-minute wait to the first screener who confirms your documents, adds various notes and hands you a number. That number is then called and it takes 5 minutes with the final processor who handles vision test, digital photo, signature, payment and issuance of temporary license. This may or may not be a minute or so longer than in the past, but hard to tell.
3. Permanent REAL ID DL is mailed to home address within 5-7 days.
1. Online interactive form in which you check the boxes for the items you will bring with you. As you complete the online form, green check marks appear. Print the form and it serves as a reminder so that you then bring those documents, e.g., passport, SSA card, utility bill, or whatever. Application form is online and can be filled out and printed and brought with you. People who show up with insufficient documents are denied before tying up a processor. They may wait for assistance as to what they need to do or simply go back and do it correctly.
2. Go to DMV and stand in line. If you do this weekdays between 9:30-11:30 AM or 1:30-4:00 PM, it is about a 15-minute wait to the first screener who confirms your documents, adds various notes and hands you a number. That number is then called and it takes 5 minutes with the final processor who handles vision test, digital photo, signature, payment and issuance of temporary license. This may or may not be a minute or so longer than in the past, but hard to tell.
3. Permanent REAL ID DL is mailed to home address within 5-7 days.
Jan 22, 2019, 1:18 pm
#120
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PDX
Posts: 908
I wouldn't be so sure. With more and more states falling in line, the DHS will be less inclined to move their current deadline. If most populous states issue RealID-compliant licenses by October 2020 (and they will), why would the DHS not follow through on their threats?