Cannot Get a Driver's License Without Divorce Papers, But Never Married
My question involves a driver's license not issued by the State of: Texas
I have used the same surname for approximately 50 years. All my ID - Arizona Driver's License, Social Security Card, Medicare Card, PADI card, former passport have been in same name.
Only my birth certificate is in my maiden name.
Today, I tried to apply for Texas Driver's License and brought all ID with me to Driver's License office. Person at desk says I need divorce papers and/or marriage certificate. I have neither since I never married this person that I lived with 50 years ago-
What do I do? Help!!!
Incidentally, I have had driver's licenses from California, Washington, Georgia, and Florida, also in same name when I lived in those states.
Re: Cannot Get a Driver's License Without Divorce Papers, But Never Married
One possibility is that, due to the length and nature of your relationship in Texas, the clerk is of the opinion that you had a valid common law marriage with this person such that, even though you don't have a marriage license (not required for common law marriages) to properly end that relationship you need to file for divorce.
Another possibility is that the person is looking at a chart that says "When a person comes in asking for X, they must provide Y", and can't get past the fact that for your request "Y" is defined as "divorce papers and/or marriage certificate".
But we're stuck guessing.
Is the issue here that you want to get the Texas license in the name listed on your birth certificate, but they won't accept that as evidence of your name given that all of your other ID reflects the alternative surname you've used for the past fifty years? Or is the issue that they will only use the name from your birth certificate even though you want them to use the name from all of your other ID? Or is it that, due to the discrepancy in names, they won't issue a license at all?
Re: Cannot Get a Driver's License Without Divorce Papers, But Never Married
I'm as confused as Bullwinkle. If you were never married what surname are you using that is different than the one on your birth certificate.
You can change your name either with legal marriage, divorce, or other court order. You can't just adopt a new surname on a whim. If some people let you slide, you're lucky. Now that they're tightening up the driver's license stuff (federal real id initiative) you're getting caught out.
If you never legtimiately changed your name to the one you want to use, you need to go get a court order.