Real ID: Married Women Beware!

[CynBeth]

I am in MD. Our licenses don’t expire for another year or 2 but we figured we have the documents so would rather get the Real ID mess over with since we will be traveling next summer and don’t want to have an issue trying to do this in the spring once winter is finally over with. When my DM called to make the appointment for Nov after we have our yearly eye doc appointments so the vision form can get filled out she found out they don’t have that month open yet so we have to wait a little which is not a problem. But, whoever she spoke to said we can do this but then when our licenses actually expire in a year or 2 we will have to renew again then. That does not make sense at all I thought when we get this ID with the star after producing our documents that counts as us renewing and would have the 5 years or whatever it is until we renew again.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I am in MD. Our licenses don’t expire for another year or 2 but we figured we have the documents so would rather get the Real ID mess over with since we will be traveling next summer and don’t want to have an issue trying to do this in the spring once winter is finally over with. When my DM called to make the appointment for Nov after we have our yearly eye doc appointments so the vision form can get filled out she found out they don’t have that month open yet so we have to wait a little which is not a problem. But, whoever she spoke to said we can do this but then when our licenses actually expire in a year or 2 we will have to renew again then. That does not make sense at all I thought when we get this ID with the star after producing our documents that counts as us renewing and would have the 5 years or whatever it is until we renew again.

In my state if you're getting the REAL ID outside of your renewal then it's called 'adding an endorsement'. It's why we get a break on the fees and only have to pay for the photo fee.

This was the same when I changed my name on my license. I had to get a new license entirely but I paid a photo fee and a another fee (it was just less than a full license renewal fee). It did NOT reset my renewal clock but rather maintained the original schedule. This is how I understand my state will be handling the REAL ID if out of your renewal in my state.

I don't know what your state is actually doing just wanted to give experience from my state. It's exactly the reason why I was unsure if I was just going to use my passport or pay the photo fee and get the REAL ID. My license expires in May 2022, or approximately 1 1/2 years after REAL ID will be required to be used so I was debating if I wanted to worry about carrying my passport for travel or just suck it up and pay the fee and do the REAL ID.

 

[bcla]

In my state if you're getting the REAL ID outside of your renewal then it's called 'adding an endorsement'. It's why we get a break on the fees and only have to pay for the photo fee.

This was the same when I changed my name on my license. I had to get a new license entirely but I paid a photo fee and a another fee (it was just less than a full license renewal fee). It did NOT reset my renewal clock but rather maintained the original schedule. This is how I understand my state will be handling the REAL ID if out of your renewal in my state.

I don't know what your state is actually doing just wanted to give experience from my state. It's exactly the reason why I was unsure if I was just going to use my passport or pay the photo fee and get the REAL ID. My license expires in May 2022, or approximately 1 1/2 years after REAL ID will be required to be used so I was debating if I wanted to worry about carrying my passport for travel or just suck it up and pay the fee and do the REAL ID.

You need to pay for a photo? That's always been included as part of the DL fee in my state. My first driver licenses were the old school ones that were basically photo prints on photo paper. It even said "THIS PAPER MANUFACTURED BY KODAK" on the back. They would make them by printing up the text on a sheet of paper that was signed. Then it would be inserted into a special camera that would take a composite photo of that sheet and the DL holder. Any renewal required a new sheet and of course with a new photo.

When my state's DMV shifted to digital photography, the photo was taken on site. I actually had the same photo for maybe 18 years because I never had a traffic violation. Eventually I got a notice to go in person because my photo was too old, but for about two decades I had a photo of me at 25.

But I never needed to pay for a photo per se. The cost of the renewals were the same regardless of whether I needed a new photo.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

You need to pay for a photo? That's always been included as part of the DL fee in my state. My first driver licenses were the old school ones that were basically photo prints on photo paper. It even said "THIS PAPER MANUFACTURED BY KODAK" on the back. They would make them by printing up the text on a sheet of paper that was signed. Then it would be inserted into a special camera that would take a composite photo of that sheet and the DL holder. Any renewal required a new sheet and of course with a new photo.

When my state's DMV shifted to digital photography, the photo was taken on site. I actually had the same photo for maybe 18 years because I never had a traffic violation. Eventually I got a notice to go in person because my photo was too old, but for about two decades I had a photo of me at 25.

But I never needed to pay for a photo per se. The cost of the renewals were the same regardless of whether I needed a new photo.

Yes...I already stated previously in this thread about the photo fee (in the discussion of the REAL ID costing money for some people).

I don't find this at all an issue. Your state may not breakdown the cost like mine but I would assume they include admin things like photo and whatnot in the overall cost.

To give you an idea for a 6 year renewal license for me at the exact moment it would be $26.00 total which is comprised of a $8.00 photo fee and an $18.00 license fee. When I changed my name when I got married it was I feel like less than it is now (given that it was 6+years ago) but the current total for a name change on a license is $16.00 which is comprised of a $8.00 photo fee and $8.00 license fee.

 

[Lilsia]

What state are you in?

Can I move there, get my Real ID, and move back home???

I live in Nebraska. I am shocked that anyone here has got their crap together. Usually they are a bit behind in doing something the right way.

 

[MrsPete]

I just renewed my license a few months ago, and getting the Real ID was easy -- even though I'm married /changed my name. The DMV has a list online, which specifies something like, "You must have one ID from this column, one from this column, two from this column". Read the list, take in the appropriate things. How can you go wrong?

 

[bcla]

Yes...I already stated previously in this thread about the photo fee (in the discussion of the REAL ID costing money for some people).

I don't find this at all an issue. Your state may not breakdown the cost like mine but I would assume they include admin things like photo and whatnot in the overall cost.

To give you an idea for a 6 year renewal license for me at the exact moment it would be $26.00 total which is comprised of a $8.00 photo fee and an $18.00 license fee. When I changed my name when I got married it was I feel like less than it is now (given that it was 6+years ago) but the current total for a name change on a license is $16.00 which is comprised of a $8.00 photo fee and $8.00 license fee.

That seems kind of odd, but every state does it a different way. States' rights I guess. Here in California there's basically only two fees. One is $36 for an original or renewal. Another (cheaper) fee is $28 for a duplicate or name change. The duplicate or name change is only valid for the remainder of the previous license.

I actually have two licenses now. My wife asked me for my license for some application but couldn't find it. I didn't want to risk driving to the DMV so I actually rode my bike in. Then my wife found it. Legally I can have have several duplicates.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That seems kind of odd, but every state does it a different way. States' rights I guess. Here in California there's basically only two fees. One is $36 for an original or renewal. Another (cheaper) fee is $28 for a duplicate or name change. The duplicate or name change is only valid for the remainder of the previous license.

I actually have two licenses now. My wife asked me for my license for some application but couldn't find it. I didn't want to risk driving to the DMV so I actually rode my bike in. Then my wife found it. Legally I can have have several duplicates.

I think you're getting bogged down by it listed as a separate fee but to me I don't see any real difference to it honestly. Yours is just wrapped into 1 total listed as just 1 licensing fee. Mine is listed as several components of the 1 total. For sure though it can be interesting how different states do things differently.

 

[bcla]

I think you're getting bogged down by it listed as a separate fee but to me I don't see any real difference to it honestly. Yours is just wrapped into 1 total listed as just 1 licensing fee. Mine is listed as several components of the 1 total. For sure though it can be interesting how different states do things differently.

Can you get a license without the photo fee? It seems like that might be possible if a previous photo was being reused?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Can you get a license without the photo fee? It seems like that might be possible if a previous photo was being reused?

No, you have a new photo taken every time. So when I got married in 2013 and changed my name=new photo, when my license was up for renewal in 2016=new photo, replace lost ID or DL=new photo, if I get the REAL ID=new photo (as far as I know).

Now they did just start doing online DL renewals so I'm unsure how that has been working out honestly in terms of photos.

 

[bcla]

No, you have a new photo taken every time. So when I got married in 2013 and changed my name=new photo, when my license was up for renewal in 2016=new photo, replace lost ID or DL=new photo, if I get the REAL ID=new photo (as far as I know).

Now they did just start doing online DL renewals so I'm unsure how that has been working out honestly in terms of photos.

I’ve mostly renewed by mail, but I’ve a couple of duplicates over the years, which require an in person visit. In both cases I wasn’t asked for a new photo. I noted that the same photo was used for years. I looked pretty young, but that was from the early days of digital photography, and the photo showed me with bright red lips.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

So you had to pay even more, assuming you had to pay for those copies. And if you don't mind saying, which state.


I'm thinking there are people here who are 70- 80 years old, perhaps married and divorced 40-50 years ago, remarried 30-40 years ago, maybe moved 5 times. And as you, thought marriage is done, who needs these papers.

I'm in FL. My first marriage and divorce were in CO; and my 2nd marriage in NV. And yes, I have to pay for every copy; and for the ones in CO, I have to pay to have them pulled from the archives (since they were more than 20 years ago, and they archive the stuff at some point).

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Who didn't change their name with the SSA when they got married (if they changed their name)?? If you don't have a SSA card with your legal name on it, that's on you.

Just FYI: In the example, Mary Smith did change her name with the SSA to Mary Smith Doe. Her passport and driver's license use Jane as a middle name and Doe as her last name. According to the SSA website, SSA considers only the first and last name to be the legal name. The middle name is irrelevant to them. Her legal name according to the SSA is simply Mary Doe.
When obtaining a passport and driver's license, neither the US Dept of State, nor her home state had a problem with issuing official documentation listing her middle name as Jane instead of Smith. It is only now that her state has decided that the only acceptable form of id is the exact first, middle, and last name that happens to be on the SSA website. It has not been an issue until now re: RealID.

 

[wenrob]

Saw this on FB. Made me think of this thread.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Same for Massachusetts - form and website tells you EVERYTHING you need to bring, including a marriage certificate or other proof of name change if you ever changed your name. It was literally a check list of what you needed to bring. If you bring it all then you should be all set.

Yes and if you do not have a copy of the ss card you can use a w2 a current w2 . I need to get a new ss card have no idea where mine is I saved it in a safe place...we all know how that goes. I had to get my marriage cert and birth cert and the marriage cert has to have a serial number on it. But op is correct it is more difficult for married women than men. What else is new? Does anyone know why they are doing this? I do and am not happy with the reason.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Does anyone know why they are doing this?

This may help you: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs

 

[bcla]

Yes and if you do not have a copy of the ss card you can use a w2 a current w2 . I need to get a new ss card have no idea where mine is I saved it in a safe place...we all know how that goes. I had to get my marriage cert and birth cert and the marriage cert has to have a serial number on it. But op is correct it is more difficult for married women than men. What else is new? Does anyone know why they are doing this? I do and am not happy with the reason.

I think the deal is if there's any sort of name change they want to see documents that would establish it. That includes court-approved name changes, and marriages. And these days even men are getting their names changed - either gay men or even hetero men who are adopting composite names like women used to do.

They're basically doing this on the premise that someone's identity is "secure" and not faked.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Yes and if you do not have a copy of the ss card you can use a w2 a current w2 . I need to get a new ss card have no idea where mine is I saved it in a safe place...we all know how that goes. I had to get my marriage cert and birth cert and the marriage cert has to have a serial number on it. But op is correct it is more difficult for married women than men. What else is new? Does anyone know why they are doing this? I do and am not happy with the reason.

See if you can get a replacement SS card online. I just did this, it was free, and I had it in a week.

 

[3threebabies]

Just FYI: In the example, Mary Smith did change her name with the SSA to Mary Smith Doe. Her passport and driver's license use Jane as a middle name and Doe as her last name. According to the SSA website, SSA considers only the first and last name to be the legal name. The middle name is irrelevant to them. Her legal name according to the SSA is simply Mary Doe.
When obtaining a passport and driver's license, neither the US Dept of State, nor her home state had a problem with issuing official documentation listing her middle name as Jane instead of Smith. It is only now that her state has decided that the only acceptable form of id is the exact first, middle, and last name that happens to be on the SSA website. It has not been an issue until now re: RealID.

This is interesting regarding SSA and middle name. When I got married and changed SS card, I did not include matching middle name/initial when I resubmitted tax forms for work. The IRS did care that my name didn’t match their forms compared to SS info; it messed up my withholding, etc. and tax filing that year. I don’t ever make that mistake again and always make sure my W-4 matches my SS card with Jane Q Doe-Smith. Granted that was 23 years ago and perhaps things have changed.

 

[bcla]

See if you can get a replacement SS card online. I just did this, it was free, and I had it in a week.

I found the website:

https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/replacement-card.html
It says that residents of Alabama, Connecticut, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and West Virginia, as well as all US territories aren't eligible. It seems like it's a matter of working with the state/territory's DMV.