# 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:** 10\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/321 "2025-08-08T19:38:27Z")
I wonder if it would be easier to get a passport in your birth certificate name, THEN change your name in a manner that they recognize, and then get a new passport? I did that, but my jurisdiction offers a nice, official name-change certificate. I don’t know how it works where you are. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/322 "2025-08-08T19:41:12Z")
You’re in Oregon, right? Now that you have the birth cerificate, the easiest thing to do might be to legally change your name - [it](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/forms/Documents/Name%2520and%2520Sex%2520Change%2520Packet%2520(Adult).pdf) seems to be relatively simple. ---
**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, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/323 "2025-08-08T19:41:58Z")
Is it possible to get get a passport using only my birth certificate, excluding all other forms of current I.D., while swearing that the name on the certificate is my current name? ---
**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, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/324 "2025-08-08T19:43:26Z")
I got “PAGE NOT FOUND”. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/325 "2025-08-08T19:45:01Z")
Dont know how that happened- you can also get the form from here [Oregon Judicial Department : Name Change and/or Sex Change : Self Help : State of Oregon](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/courts/lane/help/pages/namesexchange.aspx) ---
**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, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/326 "2025-08-08T19:46:18Z")
I’ll check into it. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/327 "2025-08-08T19:51:04Z")
I helped my boss, who had no photo ID, get a passport with just his birth certificate. I “swore or affirmed” that he was the person named on the birth certificate. For that matter, I got my first passport before I got a drivers license, and I assume my mother affirmed my identity. As I said above, the rules for passports were created in a time when many people had limited printed ID, and have rules to accomodate that. The goal being to give passports to people who ought be be able to have one. The rules for Real ID were created in a time when it was assumed everyone already had ID, and are designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting this nifty new ID. Also, to get a passport, you ONLY need to prove your identity and citizenship. You don’t also need to prove your address and SSN. I don’t know for certain that it’s easier to get a passport, but I have a strong suspicion that it is. Of course, you’d probably need to get it in the name on the birth certificate, and then change your name. Which is another hoop to jump through. But name changes are relatively straightforward. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/328 "2025-08-09T00:41:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If they claim that I am Guameranian and not U.S.A.ian, I get a free trip to Guam out of the deal! I hope this has no chance of happening. 😬 ---
**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:** [August 9, 2025, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/329 "2025-08-09T03:04:52Z")
I hope you turned out to be who you thought you were. ---
**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 9, 2025, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/330 "2025-08-09T03:05:50Z")
Nobody wants that, believe me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664.md?page=16)