Another reason to get a passport

[Lilsia]

A moderator should close this thread. It has served its point.

It serves no purpose other then being a discussion on an actual discussion forum? Scroll past if you don't like the topic.

 

[nancipants]

I am also of that generation. Maybe where I grew up things were more lax than where you were. There are many different styles of "hospital" birth certificate ranging from those that are clearly decorative and others that have quite a bit of "real" detail including a county stamp. You don't know what she had in her hand. It's possible she had an official "short form" birth certificate which used to be very common unless specifically requesting a long form. Just because YOU obtained the right documentation easily as a teen doesn't mean it was easy for everyone; my mother had to get mine when I was in college because 1) they only accepted requests in-person, 2) I was out of state and unable to get there during business hours and 3) something about old records (the hospital where I was born no longer exists). I can absolutely understand how someone of that generation got by for ~40+ years without knowing the document they have in-hand was no longer adequate even though it was previously accepted for other things.

To the OP's point...if she had tried to get a passport, she would not have arrived at the port with an unacceptable document because the passport application would have been rejected. At that point she likely had time to get the right birth certificate, though maybe not a passport.

Not necessarily - it took almost 4 months for me to get my mom’s birth certificate from New York. Ordered end of January and got it last week. I’ve been sweating!!! We made several copies and sent the original/copy in for her passport; hoping we get that soon since it’s already been processing! Hopefully in non-Covid times the wait for a birth certificate is much shorter.

 

[katmigordon]

I thought the raised seal was how you could tell if it was the right one or not - how do you tell if you have the right one? I know the one I have now I used to sail about 10 years ago.

Got all the way into my late twenties until I realized the difference ... so yeah ... proudly include me in that group as it said "Certificate of Birth" with a raised seal (from the Hospital). Fortunately, a nice person explained it to me.

 

[john7994]

I thought the raised seal was how you could tell if it was the right one or not - how do you tell if you have the right one? I know the one I have now I used to sail about 10 years ago.

Typically, it is the raised or notarized seal / stamp from the state county/parish of your record of birth - not the hospital's "certificate of birth" - thus my confusion as well. Its the county's official record that matters.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

So here's my sort of funny birth certificate issue - when I went to get my newest drivers license right after they enacted the new type, I had to bring the stuff to show I was who I said I was - birth certificate, marriage license, social security card and house payment bill I think.

So I get there and even though I had the actual state birth certificate with the raised seal - they wouldn't take it. The DL place said it was fake because the look had changed from when I was born when dinosaurs walked the earth apparently.
So I contacted the state where I was born and they said I wasn't born there! I had to send them a copy of my original birth certificate before they could find and send me a newer copy.
A month later they finally send it - after I'd called a few times to check on it - so I go back to the DL place with all my proof.

Then they wouldn't accept my actual marriage license for a similar reason. But they didn't tell me that when I was there the first time.

So I had to contact the state I was married in which is different than where I live to get a newer version of the marriage certificate. And finally nearly 2 months after I tried to renew my Driver's License - I was able to renew it to the new type. I guess the 3rd time was the charm.

 

[john7994]

So here's my sort of funny birth certificate issue - when I went to get my newest drivers license right after they enacted the new type, I had to bring the stuff to show I was who I said I was - birth certificate, marriage license, social security card and house payment bill I think.

So I get there and even though I had the actual state birth certificate with the raised seal - they wouldn't take it. The DL place said it was fake because the look had changed from when I was born when dinosaurs walked the earth apparently.
So I contacted the state where I was born and they said I wasn't born there! I had to send them a copy of my original birth certificate before they could find and send me a newer copy.
A month later they finally send it - after I'd called a few times to check on it - so I go back to the DL place with all my proof.

Then they wouldn't accept my actual marriage license for a similar reason. But they didn't tell me that when I was there the first time.

So I had to contact the state I was married in which is different than where I live to get a newer version of the marriage certificate. And finally nearly 2 months after I tried to renew my Driver's License - I was able to renew it to the new type. I guess the 3rd time was the charm.

That's why I smile every time I see one of these threads pop-up, based on federal jurisdiction, state, DMV, county or municipality - the experiences and nuances can all differ - its not a one-size-fits-all scenario. Great, if you first time was the charm - but for other folks (like yourself) - its a whole new experience and the best you can do is try and be prepared and offer help as best as you can.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Then they wouldn't accept my actual marriage license for a similar reason. But they didn't tell me that when I was there the first time

I feel like that's the DMV for ya lol

When the updates of what information was needed for DLs (because what documentation was needed originally for REAL ID changed over time) there were so many stories from my area (the metro is in two states) of people going to the DMV and being told one or more documents wasn't acceptable and then when they went back suddenly it was some other document that wasn't good enough.

And there's enough comments on various threads about it here too of people from all over. For most it disadvantages women who changed their names due to marriage and then it also can be compounded depending on when you got married. The more recent you had the more likely you stood a chance of having official documentation from the get go because as time has changed so has what was acceptable.

I think I got my certified copy of my birth certificate from my mom when I first applied for a passport although it seems fairly easy to order one through my state (I live in the state I was born in though). I got married in the state next to me and when we went to apply for the marriage license there was a spot for requesting a copy once the one filled out by the officiant had been turned it. It's a $10 fee per certified copy. We did one at that time to use it for my DL and SSN to get it changed and also for my bank to change the name on that one. I know we ordered a new one (although we could have gone in person the cost was the same but we'd have to use time and gas to get to Downtown) for when we changed my name on my passport finally 5 years into our marriage lol and that's the one I also brought with me when I just did my REAL ID in March (although I didn't needed it for me in particular).

That's not even getting into situations where the records were not digitalized yet or where a place flooded or burned or whatever and it becomes a huge pain there.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

You can go online and request a birth certificate for far less then the cost of a passport. Seem to recall when I needed one a few years ago it was free or only a minimal cost. If you never plan to travel overseas, the $100+ cost of a passport doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

You need a passport to get a driver license in some states now.
The passport isn’t just for traveling, it is Real ID…. If you need it in a hurry it cost way more to get one if you can get one t all.

it should almost be one of those steps you do as part of becoming an adult.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You need a passport to get a driver license in some states now.
The passport isn’t just for traveling, it is Real ID…. If you need it in a hurry it cost way more to get one if you can get one t all.

it should almost be one of those steps you do as part of becoming an adult.

Is there a state that the ONLY form of acceptable proof is a passport? to get a DL or an Enhanced or a REAL ID

Depending on one's circumstances I agree it's likely the easiest than having to relocate other forms but what states is that the only acceptable? I'm pretty certain that would be a no no because you have people eligible for REAL ID without a passport. For example in my state for REAL ID it's

• State Issued Birth Certificate
• Unexpired U.S. Passport
• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card
• Naturalization Certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)

Can you tell us which states you can only get a DL if you have a passport and only a passport is acceptable documentation to get a DL

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Is there a state that the ONLY form of acceptable proof is a passport? to get a DL or an Enhanced or a REAL ID

Depending on one's circumstances I agree it's likely the easiest than having to relocate other forms but what states is that the only acceptable? I'm pretty certain that would be a no no because you have people eligible for REAL ID without a passport. For example in my state for REAL ID it's

• State Issued Birth Certificate
• Unexpired U.S. Passport
• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card
• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card
• Naturalization Certificate
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)

Can you tell us which states you can only get a DL if you have a passport and only a passport is acceptable documentation to get a DL

yes, I could have been more clear….

Get divorced,
let your drivers license expire,
and try to renew your license…

without an unexpired ID…..
a birth certificate that does not much your utility bills, or expired driver licenses

and no pass port you have about a month of chasing down paperwork to renew your license.
as the very helpful lady at the registry told us “it would have been a lot easier with a passport”

and in mass the pass port is listed first (and appears to be there preferred) proof of lawful residence. (Ever statement out of the nice lady mouth started with passport)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

yes, I could have been more clear….

Get divorced,
let your drivers license expire,
and try to renew your license…

without an unexpired ID…..
a birth certificate that does not much your utility bills, or expired driver licenses

and no pass port you have about a month of chasing down paperwork to renew your license.
as the very helpful lady at the registry told us “it would have been a lot easier with a passport”

I'm sorry I'm not following you You said "You need a passport to get a driver license in some states now." I agreed depending on circumstances a passport can be easier but it really does depend, I'm unaware of states that require the passport though.

Could a person not use their divorce decree in conjunction with their birth certificate? I mean that's no different than a person who is married. Generally if your name has changed and you're using documents that don't ALL match then you have to provide a chain of events. So get married=marriage license, get divorced=divorce decree, get adopted=adoption papers, legal name change for other reason=court documents

If a person has a passport (unexpired) but it's in their married name and they legally changed their name back when they got divorced that passport no longer matches the name and you're back to square one anyhow. The ONLY reason my passport in March was acceptable to use for proof of identity for a REAL ID was because it matched all the other documents, namely my existing DL. The DMV rep had asked "what will you be using your birth certificate or your passport because I have on here old passport" (meaning my passport with my maiden name that I had used in conjunction with the marriage license to change my name on my DL back in 2013). I said I have a passport in my married name and I was good to go. If I get divorced and change my name I would need to redo my passport in order to have used it for proof of identity OR I would have had to provide the divorce decree.

For my state you don't use your DL for proof of your identity to get a REAL ID you use the documents I posted about so a driver's license expiring doesn't matter. In your state is this different?

Sorry if the post is wordy there, just trying to get what you're meaning.

 

[_19disnA]

I would imagine DMV for all states provide a list of acceptable documents when applying for the real ID and you get to chose from that list (that is what the state where I live does). I think it unlikely you must have a passport to get your Real ID.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would imagine DMV for all states provide a list of acceptable documents when applying for the real ID and you get to chose from that list (that is what the state where I live does). I think it unlikely you must have a passport to get your Real ID.

Yup hence my confusion at the statement.

 

[shoes99]

When we went for our TSA interview for our pre-check I mistakenly grabbed DH's decorative hospital certificate
instead of the formal one. I panicked but the TSA rep said, Hey you have a passport, that ok.
I'll remember that when we go for our NJ Real ID Interview in the future.

 

[tvguy]

I would imagine DMV for all states provide a list of acceptable documents when applying for the real ID and you get to chose from that list (that is what the state where I live does). I think it unlikely you must have a passport to get your Real ID.

Theydo. The point is Passports just make it easier to get a Real ID.

 

[sheilafri]

A "real" birth certificate is called a "Certified" copy. It will either have a raised seal on it, or is printed on engraved paper, similar to paper used for paper money.
I ran into the issue of people not having a certified copy frequently when I was on the Little League Board of Directors and we had to see a certified copy to verify a child's age. Not sure how they enrolled their children in public school since it is required there too.

Yes. You need a raised seal or special paper.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Theydo. The point is Passports just make it easier to get a Real ID.

Only if your name matches all your documents you are asked to provide.

 

[tvguy]

Only if your name matches all your documents you are asked to provide.

Yes, people need to keep their documents updated if they change their name.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Theydo. The point is Passports just make it easier to get a Real ID.

EXACTLY,

 

[DCSWO]

Oklahoma and Oregon appear to be the last states that don’t yet issue Real IDs.