Debating getting a Passport Card

[BaronHK]

interesting as I got my Real ID in April 2023 and the only issue I had at the Secretary of State's Office (DMV) in ChicagoLand was getting informed that my full name (I never use my full middle name; just the initial) was now going to be my new name always...

Bill

The truly ridiculous thing is that the Social Security Administration put down my spouse's middle initial instead of full middle name.

They can issue the cards either way. So they gave us a hard time about that, then ended up issuing a REAL ID anyway. This was back before my spouse was a citizen, so when we had to update SSA again, I filled out the form with the complete middle name.

I hate dealing with the government. I even showed the woman at the DMV the policy that the SSA can issue the card with the initial or the name, and she just went on and on, and I felt like my head was about to explode and then she just dropped it and issued the State ID card as a REAL ID.

As a US citizen, my spouse should be in SAVE. I think it's just a few States like Florida and Tennessee that are trying to create more DMV problems for green card holders and naturalized citizens. Tennessee wanted to start issuing "temporary" licenses/IDs to green card holders.

They're not here temporarily. They are Lawful "PERMANENT" Residents. Remind me to never ever move to a place like that.

 

[BaronHK]

The Illinois SOS took umbrage with my SS card. They still accepted it but the clerk whipped out a brochure on requesting a new one and "suggested" that I do that.

You shouldn't do that unless you need to. You get ten replacement cards in your entire life. Although updates to remove work restrictions when you get a green card, or to update your file as a new US citizen, don't count.

The SSA can also issue another one past the lifetime limit "at their discretion", and you never want to be at the discretion of these people.

Social Security and the Illinois DMV go by "whatever the last person you interacted with decided to do".

 

[parshisa]

Spouse is a naturalized US citizen and I was worried about "them" coming and demanding proof of citizenship, so applied for the passport card to put in the wallet and an extra large book with extra pages for stamps. They issued it in December so we won't have to worry about renewing it until the end of 2034.

Sadly, the passport card is turning into a sort of "internal passport" in case "they" show up.

It used to be far less useful to have one, now we both do.

I didn't want it turning into a situation where they potentially would throw a US citizen into the back of an unmarked van and then I get to try to find out what happened.

As a naturalized citizen myself, and for exact same “reason”, I’m carrying global entry card which is a REAL ID and confirms my citizenship. Don’t want to deal with sending my passport just to get the passport card

 

[zzyzzx]

I'm kind of confused about this since the Canadians say they will accept it, but US Customs and Border Protection officially says they won't accept that for adults. I would think the big issue is authenticating what is or isn't a real birth certificate. There are literally tens of thousands of different birth certificate forms issued by cities, counties, and and states in the US, including years of different forms issued even by the same jurisdiction. The State Dept might have the tools and time to check on birth certificates and possibly access birth record databases for passport applications. But perhaps not a customs agent with a line backing up in Blaine, Washington.

The biggest issue (as opposed to RealID with the star) with the enhanced DL/ID is that it's only available for US citizens. In states with RealID specific driver license/ID those are available to anyone who can demonstrate legal status in the US, including green card holders, refugees, H-1B workers, students, etc.

Are you saying that I can go in the Canadian side on Niagria Falls if I want to with just a real ID and birth certificate?

According to this website, I can get an extra birth certificate real cheap:
https://northhempsteadny.gov/content/16253/16898/16919/default.aspx

1. If requesting a birth certificate by mail, the person must include:
   a. Money Order for $10 per copy payable to Town of North Hempstead.
   b. Photo copy of Identification.
   c. Person's name, date of birth, parents' names including mother's maiden name.
   d. Self-addressed stamped envelope.

 

[y_p_w]

Are you saying that I can go in the Canadian side on Niagria Falls if I want to with just a real ID and birth certificate?

According to this website, I can get an extra birth certificate real cheap:
https://northhempsteadny.gov/content/16253/16898/16919/default.aspx

1. If requesting a birth certificate by mail, the person must include:
   a. Money Order for $10 per copy payable to Town of North Hempstead.
   b. Photo copy of Identification.
   c. Person's name, date of birth, parents' names including mother's maiden name.
   d. Self-addressed stamped envelope.

Actually no. As far as I can tell, the only requirement for a US citizen to enter Canada is a single proof of US citizenship, which could include a US birth certificate. Also, Real ID has no specific status in Canada. This page might be a little bit off, as they don't mention identification per se for US citizens, other than with a certificate of Indian status. But if they required some other ID, I don't think they particularly care about Real ID, which is a US requirement.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html​

US citizens​

If you are a US citizen, you must carry proof of citizenship such as a:​

• passport
• birth certificate
• certificate of citizenship or naturalization
• certificate of Indian status along with photo identification

 

[PF52]

Compared to the old color picture, the new one is less saturated, or even black and white, and has a hologram covering one quadrant.

It's crazy, isn't it? It looks like a picture from the 1850s. And this is despite their warnings on their website that all photos have to meet their very strict standards, so be sure to go to a professional....

I'm assuming they have the real high-res version scanned in somewhere if they need it. The crummy black & white version just for the most rudimentary of identification.

 

[Carmudgeon]

It's crazy, isn't it? It looks like a picture from the 1850s. And this is despite their warnings on their website that all photos have to meet their very strict standards, so be sure to go to a professional....

I'm assuming they have the real high-res version scanned in somewhere if they need it. The crummy black & white version just for the most rudimentary of identification.

The pictures I had taken weren't especially vivid, but were further muted after processing.

But if you've passed through any borders in these times, or even just to board some domestic flights, you're aware of how many captures are taken now during travel. Or even by the self-checkout machine at the grocery store.

No shortage of our mug shots to consult and cross reference, stored in those huge databases.

And a reminder -- the Real ID requirement is less than three months away. And they really mean it this time.