Yes, it's Tuesday. I moved a lot yesterday, though, just didn't have time to update.
My driver's license expires on my birthday, which is 2 weeks away. Since I renewed it online the last time, I'm required to renew in person this time around. I gathered all my documents and went over to the DMV early yesterday morning. I was so glad to see the place was practically empty! I got called right away, gave my paperwork to the clerk, had my eyes checked, and it looked like I was just about done.
It's never that easy though, is it?
When the clerk tried to get my information on his computer, he couldn't find it. He reviewed my documents and told me what the problem was: my social security card had my maiden name, and my driver's license has my married name. No big deal, I said. Here's a copy of my birth certificate and my marriage certificate. It's been enough documents these past almost 21 years to prove that I am who I am and I've always gotten my license with these papers. Sorry, they told me. Turns out now everything is linked to my social security number (I guess for security reasons; too many identity thefts). I had 2 options: either change my driver's license to my maiden name, or go to the Social Security Administration office and get my name updated there.
At first I thought, does it really matter? I'm the same person after all! But it does matter, because all my other paperwork (home title, credit cards, etc) are in my married name. If I'm asked for a picture ID, it won't match any of my other papers, and I'll be in trouble. So I had no choice: I went grocery shopping, got home, put everything away, made and ate lunch, then went to the SSA office and, after an hour of waiting (I consider I made good time), I changed my name on my ss card to my married name. Now I have to wait 24-48 hours for the system to be updated and I can go back and get my license renewed.
So it was a hectic but productive day. I hope today is productive too. Just not as hectic ;-).
Move it Mondays is hosted by Kristilea at In The Lord's Path. Have a blessed week.
Because you renewed your license online the last time, you had no reason to know the new requirements. As of 2002, your SS card must match all your other IDs. I learned this the hard way time when I planned my FL trip in 2004.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that FL DMV gave you the choice to either change the license name or get the name changed at SS. Because NYC doesn't give you the option. Your license has to have the same name as your SS card which has to have the same name as your legal documents -- either a birth certificate, marriage license or divorce papers, resident card or naturalization papers, whichever is the most recent.
It all has to do with 9/11 and not identify theft. Though you'd think it would have helped with ID theft but it hasn't.
It almost never is that easy. I'm so sorry you have to go through such a fuss. :(
ReplyDeleteWe are still trying to figure out how in the world to get our gas turned on. I want that magical easy button!!!