Did you get your Real ID (License) ?

[Jennasis]

I got it. In NC. Took 5 minutes at the DMV. I had all the correct documents.

 

[aprilgail]

This shouldn't be a stressful thing. I just did it -- I printed the list from the internet and gathered all the necessary documents on a clipboard. I was in and out in about 15 minutes. The thing is, you need to get a copy of the requirements and BRING THE RIGHT STUFF. If you follow the list, you cannot go wrong.

I don't know if it's the same in every state, but here's what I had to have:

- One document proving my full name /birth date. I brought my driver's license and my birth certificate (one would've done, but I brought both). A passport or Green Card would also have been acceptable.
- One document proving my social security number. I couldn't lay my hands on my SS card, so I took my W2 from last year's taxes -- every category allows several different choices for documentation, but whatever you bring MUST be from the list.
- Two documents proving my address. I think I brought a bank statement and my car registration /insurance. Other options included a voter registration card, school records, a mortgage or renter's agreement. They allow about a dozen different things in this category, and a utility bill is only one of the choices.
- Since I'm married, I also brought a copy of my marriage certificate to prove my name change.

It's not a lot of stuff, but -- again -- you must PLAN and bring the right things. Do not think that they're going to allow you to sub in different things -- you must have the items from the list.

Gathering these things is never going to be convenient, so go ahead and do it. You'll never have to do it again. Eventually it'll be required, and it doesn't cost any more than a standard driver's license.

I need to take my mom to get it. Her license expires Jan 7- only thing is we don’t have her marriage cert because she was married like 70 years ago. We also don’t have a birth certificate in her real maiden name. I sent away for a copy when we went on a cruise years ago and instead of (just giving example this is not real name) Borden they sent the birth certificate with all the right info but with Bardine instead of Borden. It worked for the cruise but don’t think we can pass it off for this.

 

[bcla]

I need to take my mom to get it. Her license expires Jan 7- only thing is we don’t have her marriage cert because she was married like 70 years ago. We also don’t have a birth certificate in her real maiden name. I sent away for a copy when we went on a cruise years ago and instead of (just giving example this is not real name) Borden they sent the birth certificate with all the right info but with Bardine instead of Borden. It worked for the cruise but don’t think we can pass it off for this.

Name changes are tough. It's a lot easier if the name change has already been handled through a passport in the preferred name.

 

[LSUmiss]

I've had mine for a year or so. I live in Georgia and it lists all the items needed. I was a good little citizen and had it all with me, no utility bills since they are all in honey's name not mine. The person didn't even ask for anything, just took my old license and that was that.

And this is exactly why I have a problem with it. It’s not any safer or more secure especially when things like this happen. It’s just more hassle for law-abiding ppl.

 

[bcla]

And this is exactly why I have a problem with it. It’s not any safer or more secure especially when things like this happen. It’s just more hassle for law-abiding ppl.

That's always the case when there are people handling them. However, in my state they're required to scan all the documents, so someone overlooking a requirement would be something that audits would easily discover.

 

[LSUmiss]

That's always the case when there are people handling them. However, in my state they're required to scan all the documents, so someone overlooking a requirement would be something that audits would easily discover.

And then what, though? Probably nothing except the person gets a negative mark on their annual evaluation.

 

[bcla]

And then what, though? Probably nothing except the person gets a negative mark on their annual evaluation.

There might be a requirement that any uncovered lax enforcement might require a corrective action for those who received the Real ID compliant DL/ID. At the very least the licensing agency could refuse to renew as a Real ID compliant ID until such time as it's been corrected.

California had an issue where the requirement for two proofs of residence was interpreted as meaning one piece of paper and receipt of the the driver license in the mail were two proofs. Later they supposedly rectified that with an additional mailing sent to the address that required a return receipt.

 

[disneychrista]

And then what, though? Probably nothing except the person gets a negative mark on their annual evaluation.

And the persons “real ID” gets revoked and they gave to go in again to verify the documents.

 

[LSUmiss]

And the persons “real ID” gets revoked and they gave to go in again to verify the documents.

In this state I HIGHLY doubt they would ever happen.

 

[bcla]

And the persons “real ID” gets revoked and they gave to go in again to verify the documents.

Revocation might be an extreme measure. Most of the time they still have everything needed for a valid driver license. They might refuse to auto renew without a return visit and the proper proof of residence.

However, I can't figure out why more than one proof of residence is needed outside of purely bureaucratic reasons. Ostensibly the ID is going to be mailed to the address provided, although occasionally mail gets to the right place even with a different name. My kid's California ID has the wrong street name, but I guess it was close enough that the mail carrier figured it out.

Still - the problem is always that enforcement of anything depends on human beings, including some who just don't seem to care. I remember talking to a police officer about open container laws in our area. He said there's a difference between the intent of the law and reasonable enforcement. If we had a block party and there was beer or wine, he said he wasn't interested in citing anyone who was otherwise well behaved. And I remember our former police chief showing up once to our particular block party, and he didn't say a word about the open bottle of wine on the table. However, the firefighters cleaned out the food that I brought.

 

[Darcy03231]

I didn't bother. I have a passport so I'll just use that.

 

[Searc]

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 can do it at any time, though I don't know why you'd bother if you already have a passport.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I got mine and it was a royal pain. It took me two days of waiting in lines of three different agencies. (One trip to the RMV and two trips to AAA.) The issue I had was that my birth certificate - the one I've used for literally everything in my life - they would not accept because it did not have the raised seal; it had a seal but it wasn't "raised". I had to go get a brand new one in the city of my birth which wasn't exactly close to where I was, and had to battle traffic. Once I had that, the next day I went back and everything was accepted, finally. AAA was a lot easier and peaceful than the RMV. It's like you're at boot camp at the RMV with a bunch of people yelling at you and telling you where to go and what to do. That will hopefully be the last time I go in there if I can help it.

 

[kdonnel]

I've had mine for a year or so. I live in Georgia and it lists all the items needed. I was a good little citizen and had it all with me, no utility bills since they are all in honey's name not mine. The person didn't even ask for anything, just took my old license and that was that.

Georgia started issuing Real Id compliant licenses back in July 2012. It is possible you already had converted to a Real Id license years ago and just don't remember.

I know I have had to renew once since I converted and like you I handed them my license and that was it. In fact once you go Real Id you can renew every other time by mail.

 

[Miffy]

This is kinda paranoid, but one of the reasons I got it a few months ago is that I started wondering (a) if it'll be required in the future and (b) if they'll require even more or different ID in that future. Because my initial thought had been that I have a passport and why do I need this too?

 

[Hikergirl]

I got mine back in the summer when it was time to renew my license. It was very easy. I went to the DMV website beforehand and saw the documents I needed to bring.
When my ds went in for his lerner's permit he applied for the enhanced (NY) which is also real ID compliant.
I also went with my dd when she had to renew hers for her 21st birthday last year. She needed something to prove her address and didn't really have anything on the list so I just had to sign a form for her in person in front of the DMV employee.
I'm going with my ds while he's home on break to do the same.

NY makes it easy, you can go on the DMV site and there is a checklist you follow and can print so you know exactly what you need to bring with you when you go in. There is no appointment making, you go and wait there until your number is called.

 

[Miffy]

There is no appointment making, you go and wait there until your number is called.

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?

 

[bcla]

Nope. Went to get it done back in November about a month before my birthday. Took my current ID (which was valid still), SS card, a bank statement with my address on it, and THREE official birth certificates (the original and then two certified copies because stuff got lost).

I was denied because the lady didn't like the seals/imprints on the birth certificates. None of them were 100% completely imprinted. Told me I needed to get a new one. Nope, not happening. Sorry. I will just use my passport, one of the birth certificates was good enough for that!

If you had a passport, then it probably would have been the preferred eligibility/identification document to use. Every agency that processes Real ID documents would accept that. It’s even preferred over a birth certificate if there was a name change of some kind.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'll do mine the next time I renew, which I believe 2022. I have a passport and will use that for travel until I get a real ID. No sense doing it sooner than I need to.

Same here, though my DS got his as his first license, and had no problems at all.

Vermont requires 2 pieces of mail with current name and street address. I used my renewal notice from the DMV as proof of address. Did I get grief, but the DMV mailed it to me to renew my license.

I'm in Mass, and they actually encouraged DS to use a piece of mail from them as one of his proofs of address (and a school document as the other, I think?)

 

[MrsPete]

... I sent away for a copy ...

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.

Name changes are tough. It's a lot easier if the name change has already been handled through a passport in the preferred name.

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 didn't bother. I have a passport so I'll just use that.

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?