HUGE ID Issue

[TexasErin]

We have scheduled flights....I have a son who is 17 and will turn 18 on October 21. We decided a couple of weeks ago to have a three day weekend trip October 29 through November 1. He has no picture ID.

He has been in no hurry to learn to drive. Our goal before the pandemic was for him to get his license this spring, but no place is really doing driver‘s ed since it doesn’t seem very safe to have a car full of people riding together. We finally gave up on using AAA for him to learn to drive and decided to do parent taught. We naïvely thought it would not be a huge long process. Now that we have started it, we realize that he can’t just get a license in a few weeks. Please be kind, as we really did not know anything about the parent taught and our plans were derailed because of the pandemic.

I decided a few days ago that we should give up and just decide to get him just a real ID at the drivers‘ license office. He and my husband went yesterday afternoon, taking in a slew of items, such as his Social Security card, his birth certificate, a report card, and a utility bill confirming our residence. So then my husband finds out that you have to have an appointment and the appointments are scheduled out until February. The only appointment that I can get him is on October 23 about an hour from here. Obviously getting his picture taken on October 23 will not be early enough for him to have a picture ID for our flight on October 29. We were told at Lone Field this summer that he would have to have ID after he is 18.

What do we do? DH thinks we should lie about his birthday and say he turns 18 in December. We don’t want to lie and can only imagine the trouble that could result from being caught, so that really is not an option. His high school doesn’t give out picture IDs.

Any ideas?

 

[sam_gordon]

We have scheduled flights....I have a son who is 17 and will turn 18 on October 21. We decided a couple of weeks ago to have a three day weekend trip October 29 through November 1. He has no picture ID.

He has been in no hurry to learn to drive. Our goal before the pandemic was for him to get his license this spring, but no place is really doing driver‘s ed since it doesn’t seem very safe to have a car full of people riding together. We finally gave up on using AAA for him to learn to drive and decided to do parent taught. We naïvely thought it would not be a huge long process. Now that we have started it, we realize that he can’t just get a license in a few weeks. Please be kind, as we really did not know anything about the parent taught and our plans were derailed because of the pandemic.

I decided a few days ago that we should give up and just decide to get him just a real ID at the drivers‘ license office. He and my husband went yesterday afternoon, taking in a slew of items, such as his Social Security card, his birth certificate, a report card, and a utility bill confirming our residence. So then my husband finds out that you have to have an appointment and the appointments are scheduled out until February. The only appointment that I can get him is on October 23 about an hour from here. Obviously getting his picture taken on October 23 will not be early enough for him to have a picture ID for our flight on October 29. We were told at Lone Field this summer that he would have to have ID after he is 18.

What do we do? DH thinks we should lie about his birthday and say he turns 18 in December. We don’t want to lie and can only imagine the trouble that could result from being caught, so that really is not an option. His high school doesn’t give out picture IDs.

Any ideas?

Check with your local licensing clerk. You don't need a Real ID, just a state issued one. The requirements for a state issued ID (NOT a DL) would be much more relaxed than for a Real ID and you might be able to get one same day. You have 45 days, so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Fangorn]

Check out if you can get him a passport in time. Under normal circumstances you'd be able to do that. The Fed website will have the details.

Steve

 

[TexasErin]

Check with your local licensing clerk. You don't need a Real ID, just a state issued one. The requirements for a state issued ID (NOT a DL) would be much more relaxed than for a Real ID and you might be able to get one same day. You have 45 days, so it shouldn't be a problem.

They won’t even let them past the foyer. They aren’t letting anyone inside the building. He can’t even get a driver’s permit until a scheduled appointment months in advance. I don’t know if all states are the same, but Texas drivers license’s offices (DMV) seem to work hard to maintain their horrible, inflexible, uncaring customer service reputation. I don’t think we will be able to get him any sort of state issued ID before then.

 

[TexasErin]

Check out if you can get him a passport in time. Under normal circumstances you'd be able to do that. The Fed website will have the details.

Steve

Great idea, but I just checked and the normal processing time is 6 to 8 weeks. And that may not be taking into account everything being slower due to the pandemic.

 

[happily single]

Out AAA are able to process Registy services such as ID and Licenses. Does yours offer this? If not I’d try to passport route. You can pay extra to have the passport expedited I believe

 

[jeff_h]

Great idea, but I just checked and the normal processing time is 6 to 8 weeks. And that may not be taking into account everything being slower due to the pandemic.

I agree with the PP that a passport is your best bet, but once you commit to that you're "all in" since you probably have to mail the birth certificate with the application.

Initial passports will take longer, but I just did my renewal in July and had the new passport in 2 weeks. I checked the website (below) and teens ages 16-17 need to apply in person (in most cases at major full service post offices) and if you do that all you can do is wait as they don't offer expedited service (except for life & death emergencies) due to Covid.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/16-17.html
Good luck on whatever you do!

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Out AAA are able to process Registy services such as ID and Licenses. Does yours offer this? If not I’d try to passport route. You can pay extra to have the passport expedited I believe

Per the official website they aren’t offering expedited passports.

OP honestly lying about his age now could cause issues with TSA in the future. Probably not the route to go.

 

[starry_solo]

OK, leave yourself plenty of time in order to prove his identity with TSA. He can still fly without a government issued picture ID

See:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security... you arrive,to enter the screening checkpoint.

 

[barb969]

I’m not sure if this would apply. In the past if you had no ID (like you lost your wallet) you had to submit to a search and extra security screening. Call the Tsa and ask what they suggest.

i just found this on the TSA website.

 

[sam_gordon]

They won’t even let them past the foyer. They aren’t letting anyone inside the building. He can’t even get a driver’s permit until a scheduled appointment months in advance. I don’t know if all states are the same, but Texas drivers license’s offices (DMV) seem to work hard to maintain their horrible, inflexible, uncaring customer service reputation. I don’t think we will be able to get him any sort of state issued ID before then.

Have you called or emailed them to ask what they suggest? Tell them you just need a state ID card, and how can you do it? Just because they don't let them in the office doesn't mean it can't be done. I know in our area, they collect the paperwork outside, then someone (clerk worker) takes the paperwork inside, and brings the finished product back.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Some walk in times available - limited availability

 

[Bjkandma]

Check on website with TSA. We just flew to Orlando. My license expired August 1st, flight was August 18th. TSA is allowing passengers to use an expired license as valid ID for up to a y ear. I had no problems at all.

Our state has opened extended hours for those whose licenses expired from March til end of September. My appointment is Friday!

 

[easyas123]

Why not just call the airline and ask if a birth certificate would work, and if not find out EXACTLY what they need/would work. Follow up with TSA and make sure it jives w/ what the airline told you just in case.

State senator & reps are wonderful with helping with expedited passports FYI-

 

[anonymousegirl]

Why not just call the airline and ask if a birth certificate would work, and if not find out EXACTLY what they need/would work. Follow up with TSA and make sure it jives w/ what the airline told you just in case.

State senator & reps are wonderful with helping with expedited passports FYI-

I agree that state senators are very helpful in these situations.

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

Is it possible to move your trip up?

 

[sam_gordon]

Why not just call the airline and ask if a birth certificate would work, and if not find out EXACTLY what they need/would work. Follow up with TSA and make sure it jives w/ what the airline told you just in case.

State senator & reps are wonderful with helping with expedited passports FYI-

The airline doesn't care. It's a TSA issue.

 

[easyas123]

The airline doesn't care. It's a TSA issue.

Correct, which is why I mentioned following up with the TSA.

 

[Keetchino]

You don’t need an ID to fly, they will require a lot of extra screening and questioning though which can take significantly more time

 

[JM23457]

We have scheduled flights....I have a son who is 17 and will turn 18 on October 21. We decided a couple of weeks ago to have a three day weekend trip October 29 through November 1. He has no picture ID.

He has been in no hurry to learn to drive. Our goal before the pandemic was for him to get his license this spring, but no place is really doing driver‘s ed since it doesn’t seem very safe to have a car full of people riding together. We finally gave up on using AAA for him to learn to drive and decided to do parent taught. We naïvely thought it would not be a huge long process. Now that we have started it, we realize that he can’t just get a license in a few weeks. Please be kind, as we really did not know anything about the parent taught and our plans were derailed because of the pandemic.

I decided a few days ago that we should give up and just decide to get him just a real ID at the drivers‘ license office. He and my husband went yesterday afternoon, taking in a slew of items, such as his Social Security card, his birth certificate, a report card, and a utility bill confirming our residence. So then my husband finds out that you have to have an appointment and the appointments are scheduled out until February. The only appointment that I can get him is on October 23 about an hour from here. Obviously getting his picture taken on October 23 will not be early enough for him to have a picture ID for our flight on October 29. We were told at Lone Field this summer that he would have to have ID after he is 18.

What do we do? DH thinks we should lie about his birthday and say he turns 18 in December. We don’t want to lie and can only imagine the trouble that could result from being caught, so that really is not an option. His high school doesn’t give out picture IDs.

Any ideas?

Which airline is it? Almost all airlines are offering penalty-free flight changes right now. Your best bet is to reschedule the trip for a later date.

In the meantime, get your son a passport. That's the gold standard of ID and can be used for any type of flight or travel, as well as citizenship verification when getting a job, etc.