Searc
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2018
But she didn't use her married name consistently. Again, Mary's own fault.As indicated, Mary did change her name with the SSA to Mary Smith Doe.
But she didn't use her married name consistently. Again, Mary's own fault.As indicated, Mary did change her name with the SSA to Mary Smith Doe.
How were you able to do it online? Did you upload the necessary documents?
I totally don't get that some states are way more of a hassle than others.I haven't got mine yet. I am hoping it won't be a headache.
I think a lot of hassle depends on your state.
I know Ohio has had a lot of issues because they won't take the traditional Marriage Certificates most of us have. (You know the one you got at the church). You have to get an official one from the state you were married in. And if you got married out of state (like I did) you have to jump through more hoops with a certified, notarized license.
https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer.../married-women-call-new-ohio-bmv-rules-unfair
Luck has absolutely nothing to do with it. Keep your records current across the board
and you will be fine.
Interesting...in California I had to provide two documents showing my address to prove resedency which the DMV wouldn't have had. My other documents were provided 30+ years ago when I got my license originally. In fact my certified birth certificate I only had because of getting my drivers license. when I was 16.I didn't have to upload anything. It said the DMV has everything it needs about me on file and that I was eligible to get my REAL ID online. Super easy!
I totally don't get that some states are way more of a hassle than others.
On the other hand I also got married out of state and even though it was the neighboring state in my same metro it would have been easy to get a certified copy of my marriage certificate that was filed through the county if I didn't want to drive the 45mins to the courthouse to get it. I think that more goes back to the process of a specific state for issuing certificates in general. At least that's my opinion.
FWIW when we sent in the marriage certificate we requested a certified copy of the marriage certificate which was mailed to us. That's the copy we used to change my name. Then over 5 years later we drove to the courthouse (which again we could have sent off easily to have it mailed) to get another one for getting my passport in my married name.
That may also be because of how marriage certificates were done back in the day. IDK honestly on that. Maybe the issue is people didn't used to file through the counties as much...is that the problem?
But I also think we have to remember the point of the documentation is prove you are who you are. I can show you the photocopy of my marriage certificate all day long. At the end of the day though it's just a photocopy and not a certified one.
The biggest issue I had when I got mine, was that it was also a renewal and their records showed I had to take the written exam too. My renewal letter didn't state that but I didn't have it with me, so I either could just take the test or go back home, get the letter and prove I didn't have to take it. I took the test and passed (thankfully) but that was nerve wrecking.Nobody I know has had an issue.
That would be the worst!!The biggest issue I had when I got mine, was that it was also a renewal and their records showed I had to take the written exam too. My renewal letter didn't state that but I didn't have it with me, so I either could just take the test or go back home, get the letter and prove I didn't have to take it. I took the test and passed (thankfully) but that was nerve wrecking.
I believe the marriage certificate comes in play when names aren't matching.You'd think it would be the same in all 50 states but then again it is our government ... they tend to do things insanely stupid at times.
I don't think I have the states official Marriage Certificate. I was married in PA. And I do recall how "lovely" they are to deal with. That's going to be a load of fun.
I just think if you have your birth certificate, SS, Passport, state DL, and proof of residency you should be good. I mean, you needed the proof to change your SS and Passport. They can find your trail. It isn't that hard. Even when I have white paged myself online I can see my maiden name in there. If white pages can find me, you'd think it wouldn't be that difficult.
I am pretty sure some states were already Real ID compatible—as were passport guidelines obviously. The other side is why many states kept filing for extensions. PA actually had to pass a law making Real ID requirements legal.So here’s what it says on our DMV website. If you’ll notice on the section for “name change” it says that if the documents listed above contain your current full legal name to skip this section. Mine did. I wasn’t changing my name it had been my legal name for 25 years at that point. The DMV, SSA etc. had all received my legal name change 25 years prior. The way this reads I didn’t need my marriage license.
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I just renewed my license a couple of days ago, got the Enhanced and had no problem. I brought in all the necessary paperwork including my birth certificate and my marriage certificate.
All the info for NY residents is online. You go through a checklist of appropriate and needed ID documentation so you know exactly what to bring to DMV.
I don't really see the problem.
Okay, that's nice for you. For someone with no passport or foreseeable plans to travel outside the country, I can't imagine the PA Real ID costs anywhere close to a passport.That is nice for you. In PA it is about double regular license renewal I chose not to give them anymore money and will just use passport.
Yes, I read the info for getting an Enhanced drivers license for NYC a while back. It didn't seem as complicated as the OP states for a Real ID.
I have Mary Jane Doe on my SS card & birth certificate. But, my drivers license says Mary J Doe. I havve no passport. Am I going to have a problem getting an Enhanced drivers license?
I believe the marriage certificate comes in play when names aren't matching.
If you didn't change your DL, your passport or your SS card...well then your name wouldn't match. That's when you should need to show why your name is no longer X but is instead Y.
For example I could have not opted to change my name legally and just used my married name on non-official things. I had my SS card with my maiden name, I had my birth certificate with my maiden name, I could have left my DL with my maiden name, I even had my passport with my maiden name. In order to change any of those (aside from the birth certificate) I had to show the reason for the name change. As mine was marriage I needed to show a certified copy of my marriage certificate.
You are correct, it is nice for me that I already had a passport and am able to choose to pass on state issued Real ID. It is an unnecessary expense for me and also saves me an extra visit to the DMV. I find it unfortunate for those who have to pay extra for Real ID. I wish all states were like SC and @OhhBother.Okay, that's nice for you. For someone with no passport or foreseeable plans to travel outside the country, I can't imagine the PA Real ID costs anywhere close to a passport.