Let me save you some time and effort and explain to you the real story behind “REAL ID.” If you haven’t gotten a post card, seen an advertisement or picked up a pamphlet at your local DMV, then I’ll explain first what it actually is.
From some bizarre reason, the state of Pennsylvania is one of a handful of states that did not have a recognized official identification issued as its driver’s license. It was not accepted by the federal level of government to be recognized as official identification. In short, they did not require a high enough level of identification confirmation in its process of issuing IDs.
Let me also inform you that you do not, in fact, ever have to get a REAL ID if you do not fly. The two main reasons one will be required after October 2020 will be to 1. Board a domestic commercial flight and/or 2. Enter a federal or military building requiring ID.
If you never really do those two things, you do not, I repeat, do not, need a REAL ID. Unfortunately, many folks do, and this is why the entire system is a real mess.
While the state issued small postcards to all citizens with an ID or driver’s license in a valid status and the news stories were abundant, few residents actually understood the magnitude of this change. The state did not begin to issue these IDs until this past month, March 2019. Prior to that, interested persons could get preapproved for one by submitting the proper documents by either mail or in person at your local DMV.
According to statistics, Pennsylvania has over 8.9 million licensed drivers, fifth highest overall in the country. Statistics are not yet available for how many of those have obtained REAL ID, but if I had to make a guess, I’d say about five to ten people.
Instead, what you will find is nearly no one went for preapproval. And now, if you would like to conduct any business at the DMV, you will waste hours of your life waiting to be seen. There is little to no seating. There is no time or day that makes it easier. It is a mad house from open to close, each and every day.
Workers at two DMV locations I had to visit all confirmed that the best time to come was before March. And now, no time is a good time. It is a zoo. Worst of all, most people that come with what they believe they need to obtain the new ID are turned away, lacking the sufficient documentation for processing, and thusly wasting hours of their lives for nothing.
If you are going to obtain a REAL ID, there are a few things you need to know. Firstly, there is a charge…of course. The REAL ID alone is $30. If you are also updating an older and soon-to-expire ID, you must also pay the $30.50 for a renewal. Meaning if you wish to turn your expiring license into a valid REAL ID, it will cost you $60.50.
On top of that, many locations of the Pennsylvania DMV offices do not take credit or cash. Many require a check or money order only in order to pay for your fees. Bring a check. Again, wasting hours to be seen only to be told you can’t make payment with a credit or debit card is soul-crushing.
Assuming you have the proper method of payment, and the required forms (two different ones if you are renewing and applying for REAL ID), you then must wait hours (and I do mean hours) for your turn. I spent three hours waiting at the Norristown DMV location the first try, only to find one of my documents was not the proper version. I spent over two hours in Malvern (hoping it’d be less busy) to get my second attempt approved.
Again, no matter where you go or when you go, most all offices are jampacked with residents trying to update their IDs. So, if you do insist on obtaining one, be sure you have all the proper documents. A full list of documents required can be found online here. In short, most people need to bring in a birth certificate, a social security card, and two proofs of address (vehicle registration, vehicle identification, a utility bill in your name, etc.). Sounds simple enough? Right?
Here-in lies just a few of the problems that I and many that I sat waiting next to found out by wasting hours sitting in a DMV. For me, the main issue was marriage. If when you changed your name, you did not update your SSN, for example, you first need to apply for a new SSN card. Even if you did legally change your name fully on all required documents, you must provide a marriage license. This license must be the city copy, not a religious or church-provided certificate that most have.
To obtain that, you need to visit the city in which you were married (or county) to get a real, certified copy (raised seal and all). This, of course, also costs money. The SSN card, while requiring a long wait and an office visit, at least was free. It only takes seven to ten business days for it to come in the mail. Alternatively, most courthouses and government prothonotary offices can provide you with a marriage license that day, provided you pay the fees.
There are further complications if, like this mama, you have also been divorced. I had to hit the courthouse in another county to also obtain a raised seal copy of my divorce decree. Basically, women need to show each and any change in last name if married, divorced or returned back to a maiden name.
Another challenge many faced, as I waited and heard horror stories, was that their vehicle registration was not in their name, but their husbands. Another elderly woman did not have any utilities in her name. A group of older women struggled to find original copies of their birth certificate.
Of course, it is crucial that persons obtain and keep in a safe place copies of important documents. I suppose if I had kept all of my originals in one place, this process may have been much easier. However, I, and what seemed as I sat and waited and observed, am not alone.
Watching people come and go for over five total hours, I’d estimate for every one person that correctly produced the required documents, at least three were turned away for lack of proof. They were of all ages, races and backgrounds.
It was clear, in my times of observing, the state DMV did not adequately inform the public about what was truly required. I also think almost all attending were confused about the entire process. Some didn’t even know why they’d need it at all. Some didn’t know they had until October 2020 to obtain the ID.
As explained, most were confused about the documents required. Some didn’t have them in their name. Some didn’t have proper names (had been married, divorced, or a utility in their husband’s name).
My advice to you is to read, re-read, and then one more time read the web page. I know it sounds simple and you will think you have it all, just read it another time to be sure. Trust me, you do not want to waste your day only to find it was for no reason.
Secondly, be sure you need one. If you are not going to fly in the near future or nearly never enter the federal buildings requiring such ID, don’t stress about it. Your original ID is fine. You can even obtain renewals without getting REAL ID.
Most of all, I advise you to take a book, a well-charged cell phone or a mess of magazines or papers with you. You’re going to want some distraction while you wait. I joked, but am somewhat serious, that there is a layer of hell in which its residents sit in a DMV waiting for their number to be called, never to have it hit. It is a long and painful wait, in a tightly-packed room, with limited seating. Most DMVs also do not allow food, drink, smoking, etc. Be prepared.
I also noticed many folks, after a few hours of waiting, had to leave for work, or for an appointment. Don’t have a place to be. It is going to take you far longer than you think.
Another concern many asked but if you do get into the DMV and do wait, you do not have to panic about closing time. Though I’d been there midday, with a ticket in hand by 1 p.m., I was pushing up on the closing time in Norristown (4:15 p.m.) You will be happy to know that if you are indoors at the time, while the doors will lock at 4:15 p.m., and will not allow more persons in, those seated with a ticket will be seen.
For that reason, and the many issues I witnessed, I think the only people I feel worse for than the residents seeking new ID is those poor workers at the DMV locations throughout the state. They are bombarded all open hours with confused people, angry people, people that have been waiting hours and hours. They get few breaks, are staying very late, and working with extra difficult challenges. Most of their reward, as I could see, was cranky customers, frustratedly complaining about rules they didn’t understand.
It isn’t their fault. Try to remain calm. Be prepared.
See also:
Montco Mommy: Caring For Oneself Allows The Caring For Others
Montco Mommy: Struggling To Get Kids To Eat Healthy
Montco Mommy: Allowance Versus Responsibilities
Montco Mommy: 'Sno Reason for Snow Days
