Legal Name Change Requirements for Real ID Compliance

Obtaining a Real ID can be a complicated process, particularly when there is a Legal name change involved. Therefore, it is very important to have a strategy and a plan in place before you start. This includes having a basic understanding of what it takes to be Real ID compliant when everything is said and done.

There are specific, sometimes complex processes involved in the obtaining of a Real ID. If a person is applying for the first time, they will have to show multiple IDs such as their birth certificate, Social Security card, bank statement(s), and marriage certificate. And of course, in the relevant situations, court-ordered documents regarding legal name changes.

See this to know more about the requirements.

For those needing to get their Real ID when a marriage name has been taken, it is highly recommended to be able to present a marriage certificate with exact matching to your birth name OR name change documents making that connection. If you don’t have that documentation, your next best course of action is to apply for a court-ordered name change document. This document can help verify a person’s name change and allow the Real ID process to move forward in a timely manner.

There are several things to consider when it comes to Real ID compliance. States require up-to-date information on all relevant identification documents as these are used to determine whether or not the resident is a valid recipient of the Real ID. If not, additional checks are run and this is how the process can get delayed. To avoid dealing with potential delays along the way, it is highly recommended that you have all of the appropriate documents ready to go before you go to get your Real ID. This of course will not absolutely guarantee that you will not have issues to resolve along the way, but in most cases it should make the process go much more quickly and smoothly.

For those living in any state, please note that the Real ID for personal security clearance is mandatory for air travel anywhere within the US, starting October 2020. For California Real ID, for instance, it will be valid everywhere.  Residents can use a U.S. passport as an alternative. There you can get a better and more in-depth understanding of the Real ID Compliant federally issued documents.

To learn more about Real ID compliant documentation, we recommend you visit https://www.dhs.gov/secure-drivers-license-documentation.

Take the time to go through these relevant details to better understand how the system works and when the changes will become necessary. In most cases, residents can now head over to their state driver’s license agency and fill out the application in time to have your Real ID before October 2020. Remember, regardless of whether or not you are ready, the transition will occur, so it is a good idea to start early and be up-to-date when the time comes. Remember also that the Real ID is a verified legal ID and can be used as a way of verifying important personal details, including of course your legal name. So, as long as you took the time to get your paperwork processed properly, your legal name change will be compliant with local state regulations.

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