# Possible Real ID problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664 "2025-04-29T20:02:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/281 "2025-07-01T15:58:10Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > HIS RealID is ultimately based on nothing at all. > > Great system! > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Which points out the absurdity of the regulations. Yes, but now we’re all safer! Just like when we take out shoes off for security at the airport. 🤨 ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/282 "2025-07-01T17:26:04Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > and the regulations clearly say only originals are acceptable There are different standards for documents. In this State, proof of residency docs can be home-printed. I was surprised that one can, for example, photograph their Jury Duty summons or lease agreement and simply print that photo. I used a home printed W2 for proof of SS# myself, the one I received in the mail has the complete number \*\*\*'d out. I’m certain that this must be more strict in other places. Illinois SOS says this about residency docs: > **All acceptable documents presented for verification or proof must be valid (current and not expired). Hard copy documents are required because we are required to scan all documents; images from a cellphone are not accepted. An applicant may print the image (e.g., bank statement) and provide the printed copy when presenting documentation. Account numbers must be visible. Photocopies will not be accepted.** [https://realid.ilsos.gov/checklist.html](https://realid.ilsos.gov/checklist.html) Genuine document is the term Illinois uses and it’s required for proof of identity, DOB, & US citizenship. Birth certificate, passport, existing RealID, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/283 "2025-07-05T15:57:06Z")
At this point I have nothing to add except to suggest contacting the governor’s office in Guam. Sure she’s the governor but her constituency is the size of a small city. Maybe you will get a response. The website has an online contact form and also a physical address. [https://governor.guam.gov/contact-us/](https://governor.guam.gov/contact-us/) Every time I see this thread it reminds me of this Nate Bargatze bit. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/VPWJp05ge5g/maxresdefault.jpg "Nate Bargatze | MY NAME IS NATHANIAL") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPWJp05ge5g) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/284 "2025-07-05T16:12:42Z")
Thank you for the link. Message with all the details has been sent. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/285 "2025-07-19T01:43:57Z")
Anything? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/286 "2025-07-19T02:13:55Z")
Absolutely nothing. One of the realities in life is that sometimes you _can’t_ win. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/287 "2025-07-20T22:15:29Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Absolutely nothing. One of the realities in life is that sometimes you _can’t_ win. As someone who has worked for government throughout my life I can tell you there is power in social media. The government of Guam and the governor have social media accounts. I’m sure so does the representative. In public tell your story. If you aren’t a social media guy become one. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/288 "2025-07-20T22:44:15Z")
Are there any Dopers in Guam who could be helpful? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/289 "2025-07-23T15:34:38Z")
And, after all this time, a surprising response from my Governor, Tina Kotek! "Dear Michael, Thank you for reaching out to the Office of Governor Tina Kotek. The role of Governor Kotek’s Constituent Services Team is to ensure all Oregonians are receiving the assistance they need to navigate state government and that their voices are being heard. To address this type of issue, we’ve contacted the Oregon Health Authority (OHA)'s Public Health Division on your behalf. Because we’ve referred your inquiry to the OHA, no other action is required on your part; you can expect to receive a response from them within ten business days. However, in the event you need to follow up, please reach out using our webform. Sincerely, Constituent Services Team Office of Governor Tina Kotek" I’ll let you know what happens, of course. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/290 "2025-07-23T15:57:57Z")
Ah, a hopeful sign. I’m glad Oregon has realized their requirements are the source of the problem for you. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/291 "2025-07-23T16:07:34Z")
I don’t think that’s what has happened at all. I think the governor’s staff that handles citizen complaints / problems has guessed which department is relevant to birth certificates and has punted the problem to them. With no further thought than that. Problem is, Oregon’s birth certificate office can’t solve any aspect of his problem. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/292 "2025-07-23T16:13:10Z")
Oh, come on. If I don’t have false hope, I’ve got no hope at all! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/293 "2025-07-23T16:20:17Z")
I too am hopeful on your behalf. I just thought @gnoitall’s conclusion that Oregon was certainly going to change their regs based off your case was … premature. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/294 "2025-07-23T17:05:39Z")
I didn’t say they were going to waive the requirements. Only that the requirements were the source of the problems. There are other helpful responses a bureaucracy can undertake when properly motivated. Bureaucratic inflexibility is almost always voluntary and optional if the bureaucrats want it to be. “Workarounds” are a way of life if you know the system. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/295 "2025-07-23T18:02:32Z")
They aren’t going to waive the requirements- they can’t issue a REAL ID without some proof of legal status. The workaround of getting a passport works for certain missing documentation ( like residence) but you still need proof of citizenship for a passport. BUT - there are interstate compacts for all sorts of issues where states\* must interact with each other- for example , the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision allows individuals on parole or probation to transfer their supervision to another state. There’s one that allows children to be moved across state lines for foster care or adoption ( for example, an aunt living in NJ becomes a foster parent for her niece who lives in NY). AND - there’s an organization of vital records professional called NAPHSIS .The membership includes all all 50 states, the five U.S. territories, New York City, and the District of Columbia. Someone in Oregon is an administrator/liasion to this organization and so is someone in Guam. They may or may not actually know each other - but they absolutely will be able to get in touch with each other. I don’t think it’s false hope @Czarcasm. What you need is someone who wants to help you - and as an ex-government worker , I will tell you that correspondence from the governor’s office can be very motivating. \* in the context of the law regarding interstate compacts > the term “States” means the several States and Alaska, Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the District of Columbia. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/296 "2025-07-25T00:23:07Z")
Seems to me that one of the many issues is that this is a problem that needs to get solved in Guam (because I agree that Oregon cannot solve this under current law—they need proof of legal status) but **Czarcasm** is not the constituent of anyone in Guam. Makes me wonder if the appropriate government agency in Guam has some sort of ombudsman’s office you can ask for help. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/297 "2025-07-25T00:33:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Went with Plan B-Calling the Guam Office of Vital Statistics directly. Called from 8 am to 12 noon Monday Guam Time, which is when they are supposedly available, constantly…and nobody picked up the phone. I couldn’t even leave a message because it just rang and rang and rang until, finally an automated message came up saying that nobody seems to be available to answer the call. I guess that is one way to say that nobody ever leaves a complaint, I guess. I feel foolish asking this, but have you tried emailing **[publichealth@dphss.guam.gov](mailto:publichealth@dphss.guam.gov)**? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2025, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/298 "2025-07-25T00:55:19Z")
Yep. Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/299 "2025-08-08T04:39:29Z")
Holy fuck! I got home just now, and My Beloved says, “You’ve got mail”, so I open it up and it contains a single piece of paper. _My birth certificate!_ Step one in the long process of getting a Real ID, of going to conventions more than a couple of hundred miles away and, most importantly, being able to be with family in case of emergency has finally begun. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/300 "2025-08-08T04:47:18Z")
Outstanding news! I’m sorry that it was such a Bohemian clusterf\*\*k to get it, but I’m glad that someone in Guam finally came through for you! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664.md?page=16)