Efforts to secure IDs adding to headaches at DMV

Not long ago, a 78-year-old woman called to express her concern after she tried to renew her driver's license and was asked for a birth certificate, marriage license and her firstborn child.

OK, slight exaggeration on that last requirement. Still, she was miffed she had to dig up a decades-old marriage license simply because she sought to legally operate an automobile.

We all know that a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles can be enough to give an aspirin a headache, but these days the experience is more annoying than usual. This woman is not the only local motorist who has left the DMV offices with her head spinning.

So, why is our motor vehicle division driving people nuts?

Here's the deal: The state is preparing to launch the federally mandated Real ID Act, which requires states to offer advanced secure issuance cards for motorists who wish to use their license to board airplanes or enter federal buildings.

But the DMV is in its preparation phase only. Although it appears not all DMV technicians are aware of this, unless your license has been expired for more than a year or you are moving from out of state, you should not have to produce proof of identity documents just yet.

Confusion and frustration are not a good combination when you are waiting among the masses of people whose virtues do not include patience.

To prevent any ugly incidents at the DMV office, or at least put a halt to all those head spins, we sought the help of a DMV representative to clear up which documents will be required when renewing your driver's license.

The Real ID Act was sort of stealthily slipped into a bill designed to provide funding for catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina as well as the war on terrorism. It was sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, in part to protect the country from terrorist entry.

"It was a law that was working its way through the hallowed halls to get money for the troops and Katrina relief," said DMV spokesman Tom Jacobs. "It was never discussed. Nobody ever had an opportunity to debate it."

These new identification cards will be issued nationwide to help prevent identity theft and to make licenses more uniform across state lines. The secure issuance cards eventually will be the only driver's licenses accepted to board airplanes and access certain federal buildings that require photo identification. For example, the license is necessary to enter a federal courthouse, but not a post office.

Once the new cards go into effect, the DMV will accept seven documents to prove identification; now it accepts 14.

Here's the good news. Nevada residents who are looking to renew their license, but don't fly, don't care if they are permitted into a federal building, or simply feel uncomfortable with the concept can still receive a regular Nevada driver's license. They only need to bring in their old license and a new one will be issued.

However, if the license has been expired for more than a year, a certified birth certificate is required.

For those looking to travel, requirements become more complicated. Especially for married women who've changed their names.

At some point between 2010 and 2017 -- whenever your license expires during that time period -- motorists who have changed their names will need to supply the DMV with certified copies of a birth certificate, or a marriage license or any other paperwork that documents a name change.

Essentially if your name is not the same as it appears on your birth certificate, the DMV wants to see the documentation showing when this happened.

DMV technicians will also ask for your Social Security card and proof of residency, such as a copy of a utility bill or mortgage payment.

Those will be the requirements for anyone renewing their driver's license with the intent of receiving an advanced secure issuance license.

So, where the heck do you get all this information?

The best bet might be to visit the Centers for Disease Control, and look up the mailing addresses of state agencies that issue birth and death certificates as well as marriage licenses and divorce decrees.

Security is a big part of the change in driver's licenses. These new licenses have 15 safety features, as opposed to five on the older cards.

Problems with the traditional license came to light in 2005 when a University of Nevada, Reno student was arrested on charges of manufacturing authentic looking, but nonetheless fake, Nevada licenses.

"The frat member up north was making a really good counterfeit card," Jacobs said. "That had a happy ending ... but it was a wake-up call in terms of security in our offices."

One other significant change should be noted. No longer does the DMV issue a new license over the counter after your photo is shot. The DMV now mails out licenses. That's because it wants to compare the new license to the old license in their database, in large part to prevent identity fraud.

And here's a message from the DMV to conspiracy theorists: The new secure cards do not have computer chips or a radio frequency chip and there is no national database with each state's driver information.

If you have a question, tip or tirade, call Adrienne Packer at (702) 387-2904, or send an e-mail to roadwarrior@review journal.com. Include your phone number.