Soo...
My driver's license is about to expire. Like, in a month about to expire. I need to get it renewed in a different state anyways. The thing is (and it's a really sucky thing), my name was misspelled on my birth certificate. I went through multiple licenses and a complete name change from what I thought my name was, to what it is now. Not long ago, someone pointed out that what I had always thought my name was, is not what my birth certificate says.
The state I came from is not real id compliant. This state is, and they will not accept my current license as proof of age and citizenship. Sooo...Any ideas on how to get them to accept my paperwork? Popping down to the bureau of vital statistics and getting my birth certificate fixed is not an option.
How in the hell do I convince them to give me a license? I mean, I have all of my name change paperwork, social security card (one with what I always thought my name was, and one with my "new" name), current id (for the month anyways), but my name was changed from what I thought my name was, not technically the name on my birth certificate, which is what I must list on the paperwork I'm filing...
I've never even left the country, if I was going to lie about my age, I'd be 28...But somehow I don't think the DMV will view those statements as viable proof of age and citizenship...
Thoughts, ideas...Anything? Help!
Hi lil
ReplyDeleteSorry I can't help with the drivers licence but I so get the overthinking. Just love the picture, so apt. I might just have to steal it.. DtBHC.
DtBHC,
Deletesteal away! I lifted it from Facebook and have used it more than once--it so often applies
You have to put your birth certificate name on the driver's license paperwork? Not just your current name? I would just take all the paperwork, fill out the form, and maybe they won't even notice the discrepancy. People spell my name wrong all the time, like every single day at work, even though they're copying it down while looking at the correct spelling on the computer.
ReplyDeleteTicklish,
DeleteYes--it's the first time I've ever seen paperwork that had to have the exact name on the birth certificate for an id.
Half of my paperwork has different spellings on it--I never worried about it until now!
I like Tiklish idea, might give that a try early - have all the paper work if they have questions. Another idea is to call head and try to explain all this to the license bureau and maybe they could tell you want you need. A third suggestion, go back to you home state and get your license there. Good luck.
ReplyDeletePK,
DeleteI like her idea too.
Going back home to get my license renewed isn't really an option. Kind of wish I had thought about this all a little sooner!
Thanks!
You could try renewing your license on line in your current state. All states now require all kinds of proof, not just your current DL - since 9/11 you have to give the fingerprints of your first born - kidding - but it's a lot more complicated than it used to be.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion is to just straighten out the problem - take the stuff to the DL Bureau and just be prepared to stay the night-don't leave until it is. You'll be faced with this time and again and if this country ever decides to go to a personal iD card or if you ever want a passport, you'll have to do it anyway.
Good luck, girl. Start working on your patience now, because I'm sure you'll need it and please don't take anything you could use as a weapon - I'm sure you'll be tempted.
sunnygirl,
DeleteI' going to try and get my license here next week, If it doesn't work, I'll try to renew my old one online to give myself time to straighten out the birth certificate. Crappy thing is that it's all spread across the country...
My hope is that I can get my license here, then start the process of getting the birth certificate fixed.
Lol, got it--no weapons at the dmv!
My suggestion is to call ahead, and do it when you have lots of time. have all your information at your fingertips...and take notes and write down names. Plan to spend a lot of time in line....i say this from past experience....bring all your papers and your notes.....
ReplyDeleteLet is know the day you are going so we can pray for you:).....
Might as well spend the time now to get it straightened out....
hugs....and lots of luck...and patience..abby
abby,
DeleteOh yes--There is going to be a lot of time in line. I was horrified to realize that in a city of this size, there is only one dmv where they issue regular licenses!
Yeah, I'd go ahead and do the paperwork to get everything copacetic and matching so you don't ever have to do it again. You can do a lot of things online now, emailing PDF's and scanning in documents and such, so maybe you can call the respective people you need to deal with and see about doing as much as possible via online/email and save yourself running around and waiting in lines? What you can't do online, you can get probably do via fax/snailmail, again, to cut down on the running around and waiting in lines. You can do this, just get all the info you need, make a plan of attack, and then execute it, then hopefully you'll never have to worry about it again. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteTamar,
Deletemy concern about trying to get get the birth certificate paperwork fixed now, is that by the time it goes through, my license will be expired and I'll have to take the drivers test and everything all over again. I should have really done it years ago, but I never even noticed the misprint myself! The lady who noticed it gave me my renewed license and said "you should probably get that certificate fixed" and I never really put much more thought into it. Unfortunately...
My name is misspelled on my birth certificate too. Clearly wasn't worth the fuss for me because it's my middle name and technically correct either way. I learned that when I got my first license. Even more fun was when I tried to change my name after I got married. I had never been able to e-file my taxes because of an unknown error. Well, try to change my name and social security had my wrong birthday. A month earlier us a few days off. That threw me in a tailspin because I knew my birth certificate was already wrong. That was a nightmare getting fixed. I couldn't leave it the wrong date because it didn't match my ID. Anyway, be careful as you go through this process. My state has huge penalties for not changing your drivers license within 30 days. Might need to make sure your story is straight that youoced last week. I'm due for a renewal soon too. I happened to have moved last week as well, 9 years ago lol. That was an in state mive so I have no excuse other than my picture is beautiful, barely even looks like me! Didn't want a new one!
ReplyDeletechickie,
Deletethe weird thing is, I changed my entire name legally from what I Thought it was, got a social security card, filed taxes, etc, and no one (myself included) ever even noticed the error!
I really kind of wish that nobody had ever pointed it out to me, because I would just walk in sure of what my name has always been and if they said anything been honestly surprised at the discrepancy!
I even used that birth certificate to apply for a social security number, which has the name I always thought I had because that's what I put on my paperwork and everyone, like myself, didn't notice...
So the thing about calling ahead (people are stupid) and you might find they tell you one thing on the phone and something different when you get there. Best advice I could give...get there when they open, those people are in much better moods in the morning (I'm sure they deal with a lot of stupid too).
ReplyDeleteMisty,
DeleteI'm thinking that first thing in the morning is probably the way to go...I'm hoping to get a super nice happy dmv person who will be willing to work with me. Me and my unicorns--because happy and nice dmv employees are so common. Ahem.
Would it be easier to get a passport with your corrected name on it? You might be able to use that for your driver's license and the passport people might be easier to work with... Here is a link for that...
ReplyDeletehttp://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html
Cygnet,
DeleteMy immediate thought was that it would be harder to get a passport with the misprinted birth certificate...I clearly put this off for way to long and feel like a bit of a stressed out idiot about it all...
In my defense, not even my own mother noticed the discrepancy!
I went through this, because my birth certificate originally did not have my name on it. At all. It was blank. I was not able to get a license because of this, even though my SS card had my name on it. I ended up having to get my name "changed" to put my name on my birth certificate, and only then was I able to get my driver license.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you have the name change paperwork, I'm not sure why that wouldn't count? It's like when married women have their marriage certificate to show their new name - it's not the same as their birth certificate. I'd call, and go down there with all the paperwork.
I'd also go ahead and get the birth certificate fixed, because this will end up happening time and again.
Good Luck!
Lea,
Deleteno name at all?? That had to have been a nightmare!
I'm hoping that the name change paperwork will make it all okay, but I'm not sure that it will since I, apparently, technically only changed my name from what I Thought it was to what it is now--not what my birth certificate actually says it was.
I pulled out my marriage license in the hopes of it being extra paperwork for help...Yea, the lady who married us put the wrong first name on it (what I later legally changed my first name to) and I signed it what I thought my first name was at the time. Sometimes my life feels like a comedy of error! Lol.
I have every intention of doing my damnedest to get it fixed! I just know without a doubt that it isn't going to happen before my license expires...I feel like such an idiot for putting it off this long--I don't normally operate like that. I just totally forgot...
Hi Lil, glad you have a number of good suggestions above. Sorry I can't add anything further. Wishing you the best! I so get stressing to much and over thinking.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Roz
Thanks, Roz! I need all the well wishes I can get.
DeleteI'll be hosting the next meeting of over-thinkers anonymous in my living room with wine. And whine. I'll be expecting you! If you can put up with the whine, that is. Lol.