Did you get your Real ID (License) ?

[tinkerhon]

That's so interesting, @Hikergirl. I'm in NYC--which, last time I checked, was still in NY!--and I was able to make an appointment at the DMV. Maybe it depends on where in NY you are?

NYC here as well - made an appointment online

 

[bcla]

I'd argue with the term "preferred name". Your records all use your legal name.
This is something that comes up with our high school seniors every year when they apply for their diplomas: Your name is William, but you've always gone by Bill -- nope, your diploma is going to say William. I remember one kid who went by Carlos, but his birth certificate said Carlo. And a girl who went by Tiana, but her birth certificate said Tiara; she had no idea her real name was Tiara. Diplomas are legal documents, so we have to go with the birth certificate.

I used the term rather loosely. I really think of a legal name as whatever the person chooses to use. A name could be constrained by given name at birth, modified by adoption, or changed via a court order. But a legal name change after marriage is optional, so that was my primary rationale behind my use of “preferred”. Some choose not to adopt a married name (my wife didn’t). I know a lot of people from East Asia, where the idea of a wife taking on the family name of the husband isn’t the norm, although they might be formally referred to as something like “Li’s wife”. Also, some use a hyphenated name. Some men have adopted the family name of a wife. Now there are same sex marriages where there’s a choice. If that’s already on a passport in addition to other mailed items, it’s a lot easier to persuade a DMV worker without extra paperwork such as a marriage certificate or court ordered name change.

 

[lynxstch]

I'm also due for a new license in Sept. I'm probably going to get the Real ID, even though I've already got a passport, but I'm leaving on a 4 month RV trip in Mid-May. I'll be on the road when appointments open for Sept.

And I only have a 2 week window to get it taken care of then before we head out again.

You might want to check with your local DMV, RMV, whatever they call it there. My husbands license expires next November. When I went in October and got mine renewed and turned into a 'Real ID", I asked about his. They told me that you can renew your license up to 6 months before the actual date. If that is true in all states, then you should just be able to renew your license in March and it will be a Real ID and you wouldn't have to worry about it while on your 4 month trip! The only drawback I think, is that you would have to just show up and wait , I don't think they make appointments for doing that. I'm not positive about that , but you should be able to find out online or make a phone call, might be worth it in your case!

 

[Hikergirl]

That's so interesting, @Hikergirl. I'm in NYC--which, last time I checked, was still in NY!--and I was able to make an appointment at the DMV. Maybe it depends on where in NY you are?

Maybe, if it is a busier DMV they may require/recommend appointments.

 

[lynxstch]

You don't have to send away for copies. Go to your local Department of Records -- or whatever it's called down at city hall -- and they can connect to other places /print out a birth certificate from another state or whatever. I forget what they call this process, and, of course, they charge an extra $10 for this -- but you can walk out with a birth certificate or marriage certificate in your hand that very day.
I'd argue with the term "preferred name". Your records all use your legal name.
This is something that comes up with our high school seniors every year when they apply for their diplomas: Your name is William, but you've always gone by Bill -- nope, your diploma is going to say William. I remember one kid who went by Carlos, but his birth certificate said Carlo. And a girl who went by Tiana, but her birth certificate said Tiara; she had no idea her real name was Tiara. Diplomas are legal documents, so we have to go with the birth certificate.
That's your choice, but it is easier to bring one document. A document that fits easily in your wallet /a document that's already IN your wallet. And you're talking about keeping up with TWO documents that have expiration dates.

I assume the Real ID will one day become mandatory, so why not get the small hassle out of the way now?

To the bolded. I tried to do that-to get a copy of a marriage license from another state (I am in MD, the license was in MA). I was told that I had to contact the City Hall in MA where the license was on file, pay the $10 fee, and have it mailed to me from MA. I found their site online and called ahead to have them check and make sure they had it on record, which they did. She told me that it has to have the official raised seal on it. I did it online paid the $10 fee, and I had the copy within a few days. Would a local department of records be able to print out a copy that has the correct raised seal on it? The same would apply with birth certificates, but luckily I still had my original with the raised seal on it.

 

[MrsPete]

But a legal name change after marriage is optional, so that was my primary rationale behind my use of “preferred”.

Ah, I can see that.

To the bolded. I tried to do that-to get a copy of a marriage license from another state (I am in MD, the license was in MA). I was told that I had to contact the City Hall in MA where the license was on file, pay the $10 fee, and have it mailed to me from MA. I found their site online and called ahead to have them check and make sure they had it on record, which they did. She told me that it has to have the official raised seal on it. I did it online paid the $10 fee, and I had the copy within a few days. Would a local department of records be able to print out a copy that has the correct raised seal on it? The same would apply with birth certificates, but luckily I still had my original with the raised seal on it.

Here's what I know -- and I wish I could remember the name of the service! -- I went in to the Register of Deeds in my county (let's call it County 1), and that day I walked out with official copies /raised official seals for the following:

- My marriage certificate from County 1, where we live and where we were married
- My birth certificate from County 2
- My husband's birth certificate from County 3

It took more time because they had to access records from other areas, and I paid for the service, but I had what I needed that very day. Note: all three counties are in NC.

 

[mamamary]

I haven’t gotten it done yet. My license expires in about 3 months. I’m gonna work on this soon.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I assume the Real ID will one day become mandatory, so why not get the small hassle out of the way now?

I'm not the person you quoted, but for me it's just to save paying the duplicate fee. - Next time I'm actually due for renewal, I'll upgrade it, but I already have a Passport, which won't expire until after my license, so I don't mind carrying it when I fly (which isn't often) for now.

 

[MrsPete]

I'm not the person you quoted, but for me it's just to save paying the duplicate fee. - Next time I'm actually due for renewal, I'll upgrade it, but I already have a Passport, which won't expire until after my license, so I don't mind carrying it when I fly (which isn't often) for now.

I agree -- I wouldn't get the Real ID until your license expires, but once it's "your turn" anyway, the Real ID doesn't cost any more than the standard license. I don't think anyone has suggested rushing to "upgrade" if your license isn't about to expire.

 

[disneychrista]

In this state I HIGHLY doubt they would ever happen.

Revocation might be an extreme measure. Most of the time they still have everything needed for a valid driver license.

Was just throwing out a "worst case scenario."

 

[Darcy03231]

That's your choice, but it is easier to bring one document. A document that fits easily in your wallet /a document that's already IN your wallet. And you're talking about keeping up with TWO documents that have expiration dates.

I assume the Real ID will one day become mandatory, so why not get the small hassle out of the way now?

I always travel with a passport, even when traveling domestically, so it's not an issue for me. We travel internationally a lot so I always have a current passport.

I tried to get the real ID but where I live it's a major hassle. I've been divorced once and married twice. They want my birth certificate, 1st marriage license, divorce decree and 2nd marriage license. They wouldn't take the passport as proof of ID.

 

[tinkerhon]

Maybe, if it is a busier DMV they may require/recommend appointments.

i had to wait 8 weeks for NYC appt - I was second on line day of my appointment, so I didn't need to scan the barcode - it wasn't required (the appointment) but I can see why they do it - within 20 mins of opening, it was packed !

 

[bcla]

I always travel with a passport, even when traveling domestically, so it's not an issue for me. We travel internationally a lot so I always have a current passport.

I tried to get the real ID but where I live it's a major hassle. I've been divorced once and married twice. They want my birth certificate, 1st marriage license, divorce decree and 2nd marriage license. They wouldn't take the passport as proof of ID.

Just curious, but what state? I used a passport in California. I looked up my state's online interactive checklist for Real ID eligibility documents. First it asks "Have you ever changed your legal name". If yes, then it asks "Do you have a passport with your current legal name that has not expired.". If the answer to the passport question is "yes" then it just goes on to asking about proof of SSN. If not it asks "Do you have a passport with your current legal name that has not expired. [Examples include adoption, marriage, divorce]". It asks for proof of each name change. Here's the list of name change documents:

• Adoption documents that contain the legal name as a result of the adoption
• A name change document that contains the legal name both before and after the name change
• Marriage certificate
• A certificate, declaration, or registration document verifying the formation of a domestic partnership
• Dissolution of marriage/domestic partnership document that contains the legal name as a result of the court action

 

[billlaurie]

I did mine last spring. Brought a bunch of documents. Bank statement, utility bill, birth certificate, first marriage license, divorce papers, second marriage license, social security card, passport, which was about a year expired. All they wanted was the passport and proof of address. I made an appointment and was in and out in 10 minutes. I live in MD and had renewed my license the previous year and it already had the star on it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

You might want to check with your local DMV, RMV, whatever they call it there. My husbands license expires next November. When I went in October and got mine renewed and turned into a 'Real ID", I asked about his. They told me that you can renew your license up to 6 months before the actual date. If that is true in all states, then you should just be able to renew your license in March and it will be a Real ID and you wouldn't have to worry about it while on your 4 month trip! The only drawback I think, is that you would have to just show up and wait , I don't think they make appointments for doing that. I'm not positive about that , but you should be able to find out online or make a phone call, might be worth it in your case!

The problem with that is, here in California, when you get the renewal, you don't get it at the time you're actually renewing (in the office). You get an interim license good for 90 days. And, if your license hasn't arrived by 60 days (and that's not rare), you have to call to see what's going on. I won't be home to monitor whether the actual license arrives, and I can't (shouldn't) drive on the interim one, once it's expired.

Getting my new license/Real ID in March, the interim is only good until June, and I'll be somewhere in Wyoming by then.

 

[disneychrista]

The problem with that is, here in California, when you get the renewal, you don't get it at the time you're actually renewing (in the office). You get an interim license good for 90 days. And, if your license hasn't arrived by 60 days (and that's not rare), you have to call to see what's going on. I won't be home to monitor whether the actual license arrives, and I can't (shouldn't) drive on the interim one, once it's expired.

I have never waited more than about 10 days to get mine by mail.

 

[KPeterso]

The problem with that is, here in California, when you get the renewal, you don't get it at the time you're actually renewing (in the office). You get an interim license good for 90 days. And, if your license hasn't arrived by 60 days (and that's not rare), you have to call to see what's going on. I won't be home to monitor whether the actual license arrives, and I can't (shouldn't) drive on the interim one, once it's expired.

Getting my new license/Real ID in March, the interim is only good until June, and I'll be somewhere in Wyoming by then.

Hoping it comes quicker. I am also in CA and was told I should have mine within 2 weeks. I can update when I get it. I renewed on Monday so even building in an extra week for the holiday, I am hoping to have mine by 1/13 (should be 1/6 based on DMV).

 

[starry_solo]

Ah, I can see that.
Here's what I know -- and I wish I could remember the name of the service! -- I went in to the Register of Deeds in my county (let's call it County 1), and that day I walked out with official copies /raised official seals for the following:

- My marriage certificate from County 1, where we live and where we were married
- My birth certificate from County 2
- My husband's birth certificate from County 3

It took more time because they had to access records from other areas, and I paid for the service, but I had what I needed that very day. Note: all three counties are in NC.

It's because they were all within the same state. Technically, although issued by the local county/municipality, all these documents are state records. So, they should be accessing it from the state's database. Any county within the state will be able to provide them to you. If they were all from different states, you couldn't go to the local county/municipality within one state to get records from another state.

 

[starry_solo]

Hoping it comes quicker. I am also in CA and was told I should have mine within 2 weeks. I can update when I get it. I renewed on Monday so even building in an extra week for the holiday, I am hoping to have mine by 1/13 (should be 1/6 based on DMV).

It should now. They messed up for a few months with the Real-ID. When one of my family members went to get it, I think 2 years ago, she provided her passport as one of the forms of ID (which is acceptable). Then, when the Real-ID didn't come, she went back to the local DMV to get an extension on the temporary DL and to see if there was some other document she had to submit. She provided her certified BC too, just in case. Everything got faxed 2-3x to Sacramento and she was given a phone number to call if the ID didn't show up. A few months later, still no ID, so back to the DMV to get the temporary DL extended and an hour phone call to the DMV in Sacramento (most of it spent waiting on hold) to find out what was up?! Turns out there was some processing issue that their system didn't recognize any US passport (and no one apparently told the local DMV people). Was also able to add a hyphen in the first name like all other IDs (for some odd reason, CA couldn't put a hyphen in there when the DL was originally obtained 20+ years ago so the DMV/CA just put a space in between the name).

 

[bcla]

The problem with that is, here in California, when you get the renewal, you don't get it at the time you're actually renewing (in the office). You get an interim license good for 90 days. And, if your license hasn't arrived by 60 days (and that's not rare), you have to call to see what's going on. I won't be home to monitor whether the actual license arrives, and I can't (shouldn't) drive on the interim one, once it's expired.

Getting my new license/Real ID in March, the interim is only good until June, and I'll be somewhere in Wyoming by then.

California DMV doesn’t invalidate nor require the surrender of any previous driver license. I got to keep mine, which was still valid until the expiration date. I didn’t even need to present mine since I already applied before my office visit and had an ID (my passport).

I’m not sure why, but my interim license (from a December visit) is valid until January 30. Maybe it’s 60 days from when it was issued?