Getting a Driver's License When Your Legal Name Doesn't Match Your Birth Certificate

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: Connecticut


I currently have an out-of-state license that expires next week. I thought it expired in 2017, so I didn't renew it until now. My license is an Illinois license (I recently moved to CT) and I need to renew and transfer it into a Connecticut license.

The only issue I am having is proving my identity. I need to bring either a passport or a birth certificate. My birth certificate is under my maiden name - Alpha Beta Charlie. I was married right out of high school and my name changed to Alpha Beta Delta. I changed my social security card and all of my ID's at that time.

I divorced in 2010 and did not change my name back to my maiden name. Thus all of my bank accounts, mail, licenses, passports, etc, are under this married name. My passport was lost/stolen (not sure of which; I am filing a report). I have a photocopy of this passport provided by my work (law firm) and I have copies of my bills, bank accounts, W-2's, medical records, my state notary certificate, and my insurance card.

I am wondering how difficult it is going to be to get my Connecticut license when my Illinois State Drivers license has a different name than the one on my birth certificate and banking statements? What can I do to make sure that I can get a new license or identification card? I am re-marrying in July of this year and I have to have identification in order to register the marriage.

Please help me, I am so sick and stressed over this.

Do you have your marriage/divorce papers from Mr. Alpha Beta Delta? It appears from CT will accept an out of state licence that is less than 2 years expired (no need to re-up the old one). For the name change, it appears marriage and dissolution of marriage documents work. Check and see if you can use the divorce papers to show your married name, and your birth certificate for your identificaiton.

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a...=|52448|#52449

The driver must possess an out-of-state license which has not expired for more than 2 years. A vision test will be administered prior to the issuance of the Connecticut license. Bring glasses or contact lenses if needed for testing.

5. NAME CHANGE DOCUMENTS (if applicable):
Marriage or civil union certificate (certified copy issued by town/city)
Marriage or civil union dissolution
Probate court name change document

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Quoting PLFern

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I am wondering how difficult it is going to be to get my Connecticut license

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The best way to find that out is go to your local DMV and apply for a CT license. You'll find out real fast what you have to do to get it.

Go today, so you have time to scrounge up paperwork if you need it before your license expires.

No, I don't have those documents right now. I have the divorce decree somewhere at my mothers house in Illinois, because that's where I was living when it was issued. My sister is going to look for it and mail it to me. I don't have the marriage certificate anymore and getting one can take a few weeks because I was married in California. I am getting married in July and I don't know how long the whole process is going to take. I am freaking out because I need to have a State ID, at the very least, if I cannot get a license.

I am going to get a new Social Security Card tomorrow. Should I get the new card under my current name or should I have it put under my maiden name? If I put it under my maiden name it won't match my W-2's, bills, banking statements, etc., but it will match the birth certificate. Is that better?

When I posted this I was already at work. I am going to the Social Security Office for a new card, as well as awaiting the arrival of my birth certificate. No matter what I do at this point the license will be expired by time I am able to make it out to DMV with the proper form of identification - my Birth Certificate - hence the pickle I am in where it doesn't match my current legal name.

Social Security will mail you a new card. It could take a week to two weeks to get it.

I suggest you take what you've got and go to the DMV first, ASAP.

FIND OUT what you need instead of potentially wasting weeks GUESSING what you need.

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Quoting adjusterjack

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Social Security will mail you a new card. It could take a week to two weeks to get it.

I suggest you take what you've got and go to the DMV first, ASAP.

FIND OUT what you need instead of potentially wasting weeks GUESSING what you need.

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I would but I have an out of State License and one of the requirements is either a passport (mine is gone) or a birth certificate (currently being processed for 2-5 business days). My license expires on Tuesday. I won't have one of the required forms of ID, so they will reject me regardless of what I currently have. I don't have valid proof of identity, and when I do it's not going to match which is why I posted here.

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Quoting PLFern

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No, I don't have those documents right now. I have the divorce decree somewhere at my mothers house in Illinois, because that's where I was living when it was issued. My sister is going to look for it and mail it to me. I don't have the marriage certificate anymore and getting one can take a few weeks because I was married in California. I am getting married in July and I don't know how long the whole process is going to take. I am freaking out because I need to have a State ID, at the very least, if I cannot get a license.

I am going to get a new Social Security Card tomorrow. Should I get the new card under my current name or should I have it put under my maiden name? If I put it under my maiden name it won't match my W-2's, bills, banking statements, etc., but it will match the birth certificate. Is that better?

When I posted this I was already at work. I am going to the Social Security Office for a new card, as well as awaiting the arrival of my birth certificate. No matter what I do at this point the license will be expired by time I am able to make it out to DMV with the proper form of identification - my Birth Certificate - hence the pickle I am in where it doesn't match my current legal name.

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You'd need the divorce decree to change your name on your SS card. You are also not in a state that will allow for an online application for a replacement SS card. Here is a link to the application. It explains what you need.

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf

Replacement Social Security Card
To apply for a replacement card, you must provide one document to prove your identity. If you were born outside the U.S., you must also provide documents to prove your U.S. citizenship or current, lawful, work- authorized status. See page 2 for an explanation of acceptable documents.

Page 2
EVIDENCE DOCUMENTS
The following lists are examples of the types of documents you must provide with your application and are not all inclusive. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 if you cannot provide these documents.
IMPORTANT : If you are completing this application on behalf of someone else, you must provide evidence that shows your authority to sign the application as well as documents to prove your identity and the identity of the person for whom you are filing the application. We can only accept original documents or documents certified by the custodian of the original record. Notarized copies or photocopies which have not been certified by the custodian of the record are not acceptable.
Evidence of Age
In general, you must provide your birth certificate. In some situations, we may accept another document that shows your age. Some of the other documents we may accept are:
● U.S. hospital record of your birth (created at the time of birth)
● Religious record established before age five showing your age or date of birth
● Passport
● Final Adoption Decree (the adoption decree must show that the birth information was taken from the original
birth certificate)
Evidence of Identity
You must provide current, unexpired evidence of identity in your legal name. Your legal name will be shown on the Social Security card. Generally, we prefer to see documents issued in the U.S. Documents you submit to establish identity must show your legal name AND provide biographical information (your date of birth, age, or parents' names) and/or physical information (photograph, or physical description - height, eye and hair color, etc.). If you send a photo identity document but do not appear in person, the document must show your biographical information (e.g., your date of birth, age, or parents' names). Generally, documents without an expiration date should have been issued within the past two years for adults and within the past four years for children.
As proof of your identity, you must provide a:
● U.S. driver's license; or
●U.S. State-issued non-driver identity card; or
●U.S. passport

If you do not have one of the documents above or cannot get a replacement within 10 work days, we may accept
other documents that show your legal name and biographical information, such as a U.S. military identity card, Certificate of Naturalization, employee identity card, certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor or hospital), health insurance card, Medicaid card, or school identity card/record. For young children, we may accept medical records (clinic, doctor, or hospital) maintained by the medical provider. We may also accept a final adoption decree, or a school identity card, or other school record maintained by the school.


WE CANNOT ACCEPT A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HOSPITAL SOUVENIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD STUB OR A SOCIAL SECURITY RECORD as evidence of identity.

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

In general, you must provide your U.S. birth certificate or U.S. Passport. Other documents you may provide are a Consular Report of Birth, Certificate of Citizenship, or Certificate of Naturalization.

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Quoting Cocoabean

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You'd need the divorce decree to change your name on your SS card. You are also not in a state that will allow for an online application for a replacement SS card. Here is a link to the application. It explains what you need.

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf

Replacement Social Security Card
To apply for a replacement card, you must provide one document to prove your identity. If you were born outside the U.S., you must also provide documents to prove your U.S. citizenship or current, lawful, work- authorized status. See page 2 for an explanation of acceptable documents.

Page 2
EVIDENCE DOCUMENTS
The following lists are examples of the types of documents you must provide with your application and are not all inclusive. Call us at 1-800-772-1213 if you cannot provide these documents.
IMPORTANT : If you are completing this application on behalf of someone else, you must provide evidence that shows your authority to sign the application as well as documents to prove your identity and the identity of the person for whom you are filing the application. We can only accept original documents or documents certified by the custodian of the original record. Notarized copies or photocopies which have not been certified by the custodian of the record are not acceptable.
Evidence of Age
In general, you must provide your birth certificate. In some situations, we may accept another document that shows your age. Some of the other documents we may accept are:
● U.S. hospital record of your birth (created at the time of birth)
● Religious record established before age five showing your age or date of birth
● Passport
● Final Adoption Decree (the adoption decree must show that the birth information was taken from the original
birth certificate)
Evidence of Identity
You must provide current, unexpired evidence of identity in your legal name. Your legal name will be shown on the Social Security card. Generally, we prefer to see documents issued in the U.S. Documents you submit to establish identity must show your legal name AND provide biographical information (your date of birth, age, or parents' names) and/or physical information (photograph, or physical description - height, eye and hair color, etc.). If you send a photo identity document but do not appear in person, the document must show your biographical information (e.g., your date of birth, age, or parents' names). Generally, documents without an expiration date should have been issued within the past two years for adults and within the past four years for children.
As proof of your identity, you must provide a:
● U.S. driver's license; or
●U.S. State-issued non-driver identity card; or
●U.S. passport

If you do not have one of the documents above or cannot get a replacement within 10 work days, we may accept
other documents that show your legal name and biographical information, such as a U.S. military identity card, Certificate of Naturalization, employee identity card, certified copy of medical record (clinic, doctor or hospital), health insurance card, Medicaid card, or school identity card/record. For young children, we may accept medical records (clinic, doctor, or hospital) maintained by the medical provider. We may also accept a final adoption decree, or a school identity card, or other school record maintained by the school.


WE CANNOT ACCEPT A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, HOSPITAL SOUVENIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD STUB OR A SOCIAL SECURITY RECORD as evidence of identity.

Evidence of U.S. Citizenship

In general, you must provide your U.S. birth certificate or U.S. Passport. Other documents you may provide are a Consular Report of Birth, Certificate of Citizenship, or Certificate of Naturalization.

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I called the Social Security Office today and she told me to bring my current, unexpired license and to bring in my health insurance card, W-2's, etc. and that it would be enough to get my new Social Security Card. My Social Security card will have my current name on it, which is my ex-husbands last name. It is the name I was professionally going by for so long which is why I decided to not change it after the divorce. I contacted the registrar for the town we are married in and it can take 6 months to get a new copy of the divorce decree - so I am hoping that my sister can find the original copy that was mailed to my parents house originally.

My main concern is that I will not be able to get a State ID or Drivers License in time for July. I'd even settle on a State ID if they don't want to give me a license; I am just wondering if what I have will be enough. I will have:

1. Birth certificate with maiden name.
2. Expired Drivers License with married name.
3. W-2 with married name.
4. Pay stub with married name.
5. Bills with married name.
6. Photocopy of passport with married name & passport #
7. New Social Security Card with married name.

Is it possible that because my first and middle name are very unique they will take that into consideration with the discrepancy of the name on my birth certificate?

Whenever you change your name, it always behooves you to keep a few true copies of what ordered the change. The county clerk clued us in to that when we got married. You can go back after the fact but in most places you need to find the book & page number if they're not totally computerized. I got a half dozen. Some I had to give people (like the FAA), others just wanted to see it.

In your case, contact wherever it was you filed your marriage license and see if they can get you some true copies. This is what you need.

Alternatively, if you want to go back to another name, you'll need a court order. Again, when that is approved, get extra true copies of the order.

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Quoting flyingron

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Whenever you change your name, it always behooves you to keep a few true copies of what ordered the change. The county clerk clued us in to that when we got married. You can go back after the fact but in most places you need to find the book & page number if they're not totally computerized. I got a half dozen. Some I had to give people (like the FAA), others just wanted to see it.

In your case, contact wherever it was you filed your marriage license and see if they can get you some true copies. This is what you need.

Alternatively, if you want to go back to another name, you'll need a court order. Again, when that is approved, get extra true copies of the order.

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I have the paperwork for the copy of my California marriage certificate (certified copy) filled out and notarized. I am going to mail it in with a check. About how long will it take to receive a copy? Once I receive a copy of that and have the rest of the documents listed above will that be enough to get an ID or Drivers License?

I have no idea about your last question. A quick google shows some commercial entities that say they can replace a lost passport in 24 hours.

Anyone know anything about these places?

There are three levels of processing at the State Department really. There's a normal application which you put the date you're travelling and they do a pretty good job of attempting to make. It doesn't typically run more than a month, though they officially claim six weeks. Expedited processing takes 8 business days to process (and you can elect to fedex stuff both ways to shorten the delivery time). Then there are private companies who can shave time off that by hand carrying it into the system.

Read this: https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...expedited.html

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Quoting flyingron

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There are three levels of processing at the State Department really. There's a normal application which you put the date you're travelling and they do a pretty good job of attempting to make. It doesn't typically run more than a month, though they officially claim six weeks. Expedited processing takes 8 business days to process (and you can elect to fedex stuff both ways to shorten the delivery time). Then there are private companies who can shave time off that by hand carrying it into the system.

Read this: https://travel.state.gov/content/pas...expedited.html

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I looked into this on a few websites and it seems like most of them want you to prove that you need it by providing a copy of a flight itinerary or tickets; something I don't have.

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Quoting PLFern

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I contacted the registrar for the town we are married in and it can take 6 months to get a new copy of the divorce decree - so I am hoping that my sister can find the original copy that was mailed to my parents house originally.

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The court where you got your divorce should have the case file available for immediate review by anybody walking in the door and for a few bucks make a certified copy of the decree. Call that court and see if you can arrange for the clerk to overnight you a certified copy. You can probably pay by credit card.

If that's not possible (and you don't know anybody there who can do it for you) look up "court record copy service" for the town where you were divorced and hire them to go get it for you and overnight it to you. You'll pay some for that expedited service but you'll have it fast.

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Quoting PLFern

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My license expires on Tuesday.

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Make sure you don't drive after Tuesday.

You don't want to add traffic violation to your troubles.

Quote:

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Quoting adjusterjack

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The court where you got your divorce should have the case file available for immediate review by anybody walking in the door and for a few bucks make a certified copy of the decree. Call that court and see if you can arrange for the clerk to overnight you a certified copy. You can probably pay by credit card.

If that's not possible (and you don't know anybody there who can do it for you) look up "court record copy service" for the town where you were divorced and hire them to go get it for you and overnight it to you. You'll pay some for that expedited service but you'll have it fast.



Make sure you don't drive after Tuesday.

You don't want to add traffic violation to your troubles.

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So I found the copy of my divorce decree that was mailed to me by my ex-MIL after the divorce. I am also filing to get a copy of the marriage certificate so I can have both on hand. Once I have the new license, my new birth certificate, and my new social security card I should be ok to renew my license. I think maybe I can hopefully get it done by the end of the month, if all goes well.

It's so frustrating, though. It was a bad divorce and a lot of my documents were left behind because I left in a hurry due to him being arrested and charged with domestic violence charges. My original birth certificate and marriage license were still in California and I packed bags and went to Illinois. I was so focused on leaving I didn't think to grab them. Hindsight is 20/20, though.

So now I will have:

1. Expired drivers license with married name.
2. Birth certificate with maiden name.
3. Marriage license with maiden name.
4. Divorce decree with married name.
5. W-2 with married name.
6. Bills with married name.
7. Social Security Card with married name.
8. Pay stubs with married name.
Does this seem like it will be enough?

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Quoting adjusterjack

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Make sure you don't drive after Tuesday.

You don't want to add traffic violation to your troubles.

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Also my fiance will be doing the driving. I am not looking to get a traffic violation!

I would try to take the divorce decree to the DMV to show the name change. You cannot have gotten divorced if you weren't married. Pain in the rear if they say no, but you've only taken some time out of your day. I could be wrong, but it is listed in the name change section as an acceptable document. It doesn't say for what sort of name change (only to go from married to maiden, for example).

If they say no, then you go back when you have all of the documents lined up.

Here is a link to the required documents...it appears you have it covered.

http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=805&Q=244772&PM=1

I hope you get it worked out soon.

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Quoting Cocoabean

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I would try to take the divorce decree to the DMV to show the name change. You cannot have gotten divorced if you weren't married. Pain in the rear if they say no, but you've only taken some time out of your day. I could be wrong, but it is listed in the name change section as an acceptable document. It doesn't say for what sort of name change (only to go from married to maiden, for example).

If they say no, then you go back when you have all of the documents lined up.

I hope you get it worked out soon.

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Me too. Thank you for your help and encouragement!