My eldest son was one of a 200 person team that originally formulated Homeland Security and set it up. 200 very gifted and security conscious folks did a good job. But then the states decided they would make some changes of their own.
Since 9/11, if you move to another state and try to get a driver's license you have to produce a copy of your birth certificate, every one of your marriage licenses, every one of your divorce decrees or death certificate of a spouse. CA has a two year waiting list for each individual document. Unfortunately, I have been married 4 times, two of them in CA. Also 37 years ago I started using the name Angel Winges, but it was never legalized in court. The state of FL likes to make things especially complicated and expensive. It is a Republican state after all so what can you expect? Not my favorite state of the Union.
I moved from WA to FL and went to apply for my driver's license and to register my vehicle, a 1992 vehicle. They informed me of all the paperwork I would need and that to register a vehicle in the state of FL for the first time would cost me $400!! I live on Social Security, so there was no way that I was going to be able to afford that amount. I had no ID that they would accept because everything is in the name of Angel Winges instead of my maiden name or prior married name. No tags and no new license. I had to stop driving. The only way to be able to drive again is to go to court and legally change my name. Rat fuzz and kitty whiskers.
I understand the need for security, but come on! This has reached the height of stupidity. I was born in this country and raised here. I've been using this name for 37 years. I'm Celtic so my skin is very white. There are no rules of recourse to help me and I am stuck. I could be 80 years old before I get all the paperwork that I need to get my license. My passport is expired, and though the US government still considers it a legal document <It has my birth name and current name on it>, the state of FL says it can't be used. I could just chew nails! There should be an appeal process a citizen can go through in situations like this, but there isn't. Grrrrr. I am not happy over this!
<Walks away kicking a can and muttering under my breathe>
Have a great day everyone
Since 9/11, if you move to another state and try to get a driver's license you have to produce a copy of your birth certificate, every one of your marriage licenses, every one of your divorce decrees or death certificate of a spouse. CA has a two year waiting list for each individual document. Unfortunately, I have been married 4 times, two of them in CA. Also 37 years ago I started using the name Angel Winges, but it was never legalized in court. The state of FL likes to make things especially complicated and expensive. It is a Republican state after all so what can you expect? Not my favorite state of the Union.
I moved from WA to FL and went to apply for my driver's license and to register my vehicle, a 1992 vehicle. They informed me of all the paperwork I would need and that to register a vehicle in the state of FL for the first time would cost me $400!! I live on Social Security, so there was no way that I was going to be able to afford that amount. I had no ID that they would accept because everything is in the name of Angel Winges instead of my maiden name or prior married name. No tags and no new license. I had to stop driving. The only way to be able to drive again is to go to court and legally change my name. Rat fuzz and kitty whiskers.
I understand the need for security, but come on! This has reached the height of stupidity. I was born in this country and raised here. I've been using this name for 37 years. I'm Celtic so my skin is very white. There are no rules of recourse to help me and I am stuck. I could be 80 years old before I get all the paperwork that I need to get my license. My passport is expired, and though the US government still considers it a legal document <It has my birth name and current name on it>, the state of FL says it can't be used. I could just chew nails! There should be an appeal process a citizen can go through in situations like this, but there isn't. Grrrrr. I am not happy over this!
<Walks away kicking a can and muttering under my breathe>
Have a great day everyone