All those DMV jokes?

[kickaha]

I found out where they originate from.

For us to get new driver's licenses, after looking over all the copious options (since our passports have both expired) we have to have:

1) Old driver's license
2) Birth certificate
3) Utility Bill
4) Credit Card

and the kicker...
5) Social Security card

Can someone *PLEASE* explain to me what a SS card that has not my birthdate or residence has to do with getting a NY driver's license? Anyone?

The birth certificate is required because they won't accept the birthdate on the old license as proof.

Getting a new passport takes less documentation. Hell, getting my last security clearance took less.

Comments

[kimokeane.livejournal.com]

The SS card (achtung!) has your full legal name and SSN on the same page, and is supposed to be the official link between those two data.

Of course, my SS card has a line at the bottom saying "Not to be used for identification!" since it was printed back in 1980 or so when such violations of our personal privacy were inconceivable...

Sounds like you guys are preparing to be there for a while ;)

[dollraves.livejournal.com]

The other thing your SS card has, that nothing else does, is the signature the government accepts as yours. This is why banks require it for signature authorization on business accounts.

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

You're kidding.

I got my SS card when I was 14. My signature looks *nothing* like that anymore.

[dollraves.livejournal.com]

Heh. Might be time for a refresh. ;) I updated mine when I took Eric's surname when we got married.

But, yeah, they want something with your signature, even if it's not your real signature, apparently.

[ginkgo.livejournal.com]

we were trying to go about this in a proper manner... but with the insurance screw ups K mentioned earlier, it's been a far longer and more annoying process than we imagined. :P

[ginkgo.livejournal.com]

My trip to the Social Security Administration office was anticlimactic- they make a big deal about being able to prove identity, but they didn't require photo id. *boggle* Requesting a replacement card has been the easiest part of all of this.

[kickaha.livejournal.com]

I may have to get a replacement, depending on whether they gripe about my SS card being laminated.

The ironic bit? It was the WA DMV that laminated it for me, 20 years ago.