Inevitable bureaucracy
Oct. 5th, 2007 03:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
indigo_rose99Today I got my driver's license renewed.
My birthday is actually next month, but I decided it is best to do it while I actually have time. If I wait, I might find out that I need to travel about the time it really needs to be renewed.
This seems like such a simple thing. Pretty much everyone in this country has to do it at regular intervals. So it should be very smooth, right? Well, yes and no.
The postcard said, " MUST PRESENT PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NO. FEE $24.00" On the other side, not printed specifically for me, "Please present your driver license or identification card to the attendant at the local Driver License office." Oh, so I have to actually go to a driver license office? I wonder where those are. No address for any in my area are listed on the postcard.
The postcard did list acceptable proof of my SSN. They include, "Federal issued SSN card, Health Card (if member number represents SSN), Pilot's license, Military ID, (active and reserve duty personnel only), Pleace Officer - TCLEOSE, DD-214, Medicare/Medicaid Cards, Certified college/university transcript (designating number as SSN), and Veteran's Administration Card (with SSN preprinted on card)." Last year, when T went through this process, he discovered that he did not have his SSN card. And he did not have any of the other things, not being of retired age or in the military. It turned out that they had his number already on file, but... this seems like a very limited list of options for your ordinary person. What if they are not incredibly (ahem) detail oriented and cannot find their SSN card? What if their college transcript (if they even have one on hand!) does not have the SSN as the designating number?! None of these options are easy to get!
I went online to find the location of a local Driver's License office. Turns out I can only update my license online if I updated it in person last time. There were several so-called local offices, none of them in the town in which I live. I drove a ways to fine one, but found it.... badly marked. Finding myself in a cemetery was the big clue -- I'm lost! There were no street signs, and the building itself was only marked on one side (not either of the two sides I saw even after circling back) in very small type.
Yes, if you know exactly where to go, it is easy to find. Yes, if you can lay your hands on the necessary paperwork to bring, it is an easy process. But for those of us that do this once very 6-7 years?! *expressions of general frustration* This could be a simpler experience. It isn't like they don't have enough practice.
This seems like such a simple thing. Pretty much everyone in this country has to do it at regular intervals. So it should be very smooth, right? Well, yes and no.
The postcard said, " MUST PRESENT PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NO. FEE $24.00" On the other side, not printed specifically for me, "Please present your driver license or identification card to the attendant at the local Driver License office." Oh, so I have to actually go to a driver license office? I wonder where those are. No address for any in my area are listed on the postcard.
The postcard did list acceptable proof of my SSN. They include, "Federal issued SSN card, Health Card (if member number represents SSN), Pilot's license, Military ID, (active and reserve duty personnel only), Pleace Officer - TCLEOSE, DD-214, Medicare/Medicaid Cards, Certified college/university transcript (designating number as SSN), and Veteran's Administration Card (with SSN preprinted on card)." Last year, when T went through this process, he discovered that he did not have his SSN card. And he did not have any of the other things, not being of retired age or in the military. It turned out that they had his number already on file, but... this seems like a very limited list of options for your ordinary person. What if they are not incredibly (ahem) detail oriented and cannot find their SSN card? What if their college transcript (if they even have one on hand!) does not have the SSN as the designating number?! None of these options are easy to get!
I went online to find the location of a local Driver's License office. Turns out I can only update my license online if I updated it in person last time. There were several so-called local offices, none of them in the town in which I live. I drove a ways to fine one, but found it.... badly marked. Finding myself in a cemetery was the big clue -- I'm lost! There were no street signs, and the building itself was only marked on one side (not either of the two sides I saw even after circling back) in very small type.
Yes, if you know exactly where to go, it is easy to find. Yes, if you can lay your hands on the necessary paperwork to bring, it is an easy process. But for those of us that do this once very 6-7 years?! *expressions of general frustration* This could be a simpler experience. It isn't like they don't have enough practice.
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no subject
Date: 2007-10-06 12:13 am (UTC)This is true
Date: 2007-10-06 12:33 am (UTC)Re: This is true
Date: 2007-10-06 02:20 am (UTC)Re: This is true
Date: 2007-10-06 02:51 am (UTC)Obviously, this information is still obtainable, his parents still being alive. But one of the documents they really really want is an original birth certificate. I have a copy (handed to me personally by his mother), but not an original. Yes, it looks like they might accept a passport, but the wording indicates that they will not promise to accept a passport as a substitute. And the "New Rules For Getting a Social Security Number and Card" (updated October 2006) do not mention allowing a passport to possibly substitute for the birth certificate.
And you said this process was easy? *dubious look*
Re: This is true
Date: 2007-10-06 03:25 am (UTC)However, it may also be easy to get a certified birth certificate. For example, if you/your husband were born in Texas, check here.
Re: This is true
Date: 2007-10-06 04:40 am (UTC)All they really looked at was my piece of ID. I believe I used my passport. I took my birth certificate, but they didn't look at it. I remember being surprised. I expected to have to jump through some hoops.
Try calling your local office to find out what they really want to see. In my experience at the Baltimore office at least, it was less daunting than the form suggested.
Re: This is true
Date: 2007-10-06 04:51 am (UTC)Top of page two says, "To apply for a replacement card you must prove your identity". You only have to prove your Age (with a birth certificate) for a new card. So I think technically all you really have to have is your driver's license.
Also, I did remember correctly; parents' SSNs are only required for new cards. (See middle of page 2.)