# 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:** 5
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/81 "2025-05-01T15:25:40Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > [@Czarcasm](#): > > > > Yes, I have a current driver’s license with the name I now use. > > I don’t understand; an Oregon driver’s license is one of the options listed under “proof of legal name.” And you said you enlisted under your current name, so do you have one of a “Military ID card, Common Access card, Uniform Services ID & Privilege card?” Because that also qualifies as proof of legal name. > > Really, as I said, you should schedule an appointment and bring whatever documents you have. The only people who would have a military ID card are those currently serving either active or reserve component or retirees. If you did one enlistment 20 years ago you won’t have a military ID. It’s possible depending on the circumstances to have a VA ID card but that’s different than a military ID. For non-retiree veterans their proof of service is a Department of Defense Form 214 (DD214). He already stated he lost his DD214 in the fire but they are easy enough to replace. I provided the link earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/82 "2025-05-01T15:28:03Z")
Thanks; would a veteran have a “uniformed services ID” or “privilege card”? And if not, surely the current driver’s license qualifies as proof of legal name? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/83 "2025-05-01T15:34:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > would a veteran have a “uniformed services ID” or “privilege card”? Only a retiree (whether full-career or early retirement, such as medical). Normal discharge (end of contract for enlisted, resignation for officers, administrative separation by the service for either) would not make the veteran eligible for a DoD retiree identification. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/84 "2025-05-01T15:58:42Z")
You may be misreading it, because I posted the very specific list of what documentation would be accepted, and driver’s license wasn’t on the list. You can use it to get a new ID or a new driver’s license, but not an actual Real ID itself. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/85 "2025-05-01T16:00:06Z")
No, I do not have a military ID-not even an old one. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/86 "2025-05-01T16:02:35Z")
I wouldn’t expect you to. It is a good idea to get a copy of your DD214 to keep on hand. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/87 "2025-05-01T16:03:09Z")
I am in the process of doing that currently. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/88 "2025-05-01T16:03:35Z")
I just went through the Oregon Real ID Documents Guide and the page about “proof of legal name” says > If your full legal name is not listed on your identity document, you will need to bring one of the documents listed below showing your full legal name. DMV must be able to match your current full legal name with your identity document. > > Select ONE document: > > - Oregon driver license, instruction permit, or identification card, expired no more than one year. > - Out-of-state driver license, expired no more than one year. > - Tribal ID card issued by a federally recognized tribe location in Oregon or with an Oregon affiliation, approved by DMV. > - Oregon Concealed Weapon Permit/Concealed Handgun License, expired no more than one year. > - Military ID card, Common Access card, Uniform Services ID & Privilege card including all branches of military personnel and dependents, not including Merchant Marines. > - Canadian government issued birth certificate. > - An official government issued marriage certificate/license. > - A U.S. city, county or state court-issued legal name change decree. > - A record of Domestic Partnership issued by Oregon Vital Statistics. > - An out-of-state government issued record of Domestic Partnership. > - A U.S. city, county or state court-issued divorce decree; judgment of dissolution of marriage, annulment of > - marriage decree, judgment of dissolution of domestic partnership, or annulment of domestic partnership. > - A government-issued death certificate of a spouse which includes a connection to your current full legal name.) > - A U.S. city, county or state court-issued adoption decree. > - A U.S. city, county or state court-issued custody decree or guardianship decree. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/89 "2025-05-01T16:04:14Z")
It might qualify as proof of name but real ID requires proof of citizenship. That’s going to be the problem, connecting the John McGillicuddy whose birth certificate establishes citizenship to the John Jones who has a drivers license ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/90 "2025-05-01T16:06:21Z")
Again, I recommend the OP just go through the process. Worst case, they will be able to advise what is necessary to proceed. Best case, he comes home with a Real ID. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/91 "2025-05-01T16:07:44Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > DMV must be able to match your current full legal name with your identity document. Since my birth certificate is under my previous name and the second person my mother married never formally adopted us, is that latter name my actual current full legal name? I have actually contacted my DMV and the I answer I got back was "Maybe?? ". ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/92 "2025-05-01T16:09:20Z")
Fortunately, that’s not a no, so why not see if what you have will work? None of us here are representatives of Oregon DMV so we’re all just speculating. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/93 "2025-05-01T16:53:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Since my birth certificate is under my previous name and the second person my mother married never formally adopted us, is that latter name my actual current full legal name? Still trying to figure out how and when your latter name “slipped in” and became your _de facto_ legal name. In Louisiana, a child’s birth certificate must be presented to enroll in public school (**[representative parish](https://www.jpschools.org/families/enroll)**) and in a strong majority of (if not all) private and parochial schools. No idea how common of a requirement that is across the U.S., or if that was a common requirement in the past. Were you in school one year as Czarcasm X, writing “Czarcasm X” on your assignments and such … and then the next year just started using “Czarcasm Y” on your assignments and such? Was there a period where you had to correct teachers, say, while calling roll? _“Yes, I’m listed as Czarcasm X but I’m Czarcasm Y now.”_ ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/94 "2025-05-01T17:00:44Z")
Entered school as “Czarcasm X” the first year, and registered as “Czarcasm Y” the next. Not sure as to the name on my SS Card, but I think it was “Czarcasm Y”. The fact that the second registration was at a different school and district might have made a small difference. BTW, this happened in Washington back in the 60’s, so the rules may have been different then as to what ID was accepted. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/95 "2025-05-01T17:12:35Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Not sure as to the name on my SS Card, but I think it was “Czarcasm Y”. This is interesting. These days, Social Security Numbers seem to be assigned at birth (for instance, I’ve always had to enter my children’s SSNs on tax returns, even when they were infants). I wonder if that was true in the 1950s/1960s? By today’s rules, your SSN card would show “Czarcasm X”. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/96 "2025-05-01T17:13:16Z")
It was different back then. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/97 "2025-05-01T17:16:50Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > This is interesting. These days, Social Security Numbers seem to be assigned at birth (for instance, I’ve always had to enter my children’s SSNs on tax returns, even when they were infants). I wonder if that was true in the 1950s/1960s? By today’s rules, your SSN card would show “Czarcasm X”. It was different then. I remember the change. It was basically changed to prevent both divorced parents from claiming the same child as a dependant. It’s weird enough to make up a child from whole cloth that they didn’t previously require proof. But when divorce because more common, it turned out it wasn’t that weird for both parents to feel they were the primary supporter of the child. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/98 "2025-05-01T17:23:05Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Fortunately, that’s not a no, so why not see if what you have will work? None of us here are representatives of Oregon DMV so we’re all just speculating. Hard to disagree. No matter what protocols the Real ID system would have in place, there’d be edge cases and exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/99 "2025-05-01T17:23:20Z")
Supposedly many people claimed pets as dependent children, who disappeared from the tax rolls the year that SSNs were required for dependents. ---
**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:** [May 1, 2025, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/100 "2025-05-01T17:24:23Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > These days, Social Security Numbers seem to be assigned at birth (for instance, I’ve always had to enter my children’s SSNs on tax returns, even when they were infants). I wonder if that was true in the 1950s/1960s? It was not, as a rule. The SSA began their “Enumeration at Birth” program in 1987, in large part because legislation in the 1980s began to require SSNs of dependents (even very young children) for tax filing. I was born in 1965; I did not get a SSN until I was 10 (in 1975), and that was entirely because my parents had bought a hardware store, and as I was working at the store on weekends and during summer break, they needed me to have a SSN for payroll purposes. My understanding is that, at that time, it was not uncommon at all for kids to not have SSNs, until they actually needed one for work. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664.md?page=6)