As much as I'm enjoying my new home state, I have to say that getting a drivers license here has one hurdle that is bound to be a significant headache without any real benefit.
They require a SS card. The actual card. Not just your number. They want to see your little bit of cardstock that you got when your folks signed you up however many years ago.
Of course, in my case, that event took place when I was about 15 and I have since stored that card in a place that would probably occur to me under electroshock or if I smelled my grandmother's perfume at just the right moment.
But barring that, I'm going to just have to visit the Social Security Administration and prove to them that I am me so that they'll give me another card (in 2 weeks or so) that will prove to Iowa that I'm a citizen.
Okay, this is dumb for a variety of reasons.
1) Possession of a SS card is not proof of being a citizen. It's proof that you have a piece of paper in your hand. The card I used to have was such a low-end graphic challenge that anyone with even minimal computer skills could duplicate it and falsify it in a matter of minutes. In fact, I could probably fake up a legitimate looking card in far less time than it would take me to find my real one. Is it a forgery if I put my own name and SSN on my own "replacement" card? Don't worry, I'm not going to tempt fate. I'm going to get a REAL replacement.
2) The SSN is not to be used for identification purposes. Right? So, this is really a check to see if you are a citizen or resident alien, right? Okay, fine. I have a passport. You don't get a US passport without meeting those requirements. I had it with me. Sorry...that doesn't work. Why?
3) I do NOT want my SSN in the Iowa DOT's database. It doesn't need to be there. What purpose could it serve? I will not let them put my SSN on my DL. I have the option to refuse that (or maybe they've changed it so you have to REQUEST that they use your SSN). Either way, I'm not putting my SSN on my DL. How stupid would that be? At any rate, they are STILL going to enter my SSN into their database. I don't like this idea at all. That number doesn't need to be anywhere where minimum wage disgruntled government workers can see it. Worse, DL systems all over the world have been under increasing attack from hackers. Colorado was hit recently and found out that they were preceded by unpublicized attacks in several other states. The goal -- obtain personal data on millions of people in one fell swoop. Identity theft, in other words. Imagine how much easier we make it for them when we put the SSN right there in the system.
Fun.
So, in addition to planning my trip to the Social Security Administration tomorrow, and ultimately getting my Iowa license a bit later than is legal...I'm also going to start questioning this thing with the legislature and the DOT.
I suspect that they don't need to see the actual card if they really thought about it. A statement from the SSA (of which I have several) would be fine, I bet. Or the stupid OTHER HALF of the card (which has the same information but lacks the lame easily duplicated graphic) would suffice.
OR, better yet, the state could link to the SSA computers and just verify your number on the spot. Easy. Costs nothing. And doesn't require people to carry that card around with them. Which is also stupid.
Oh well...
I'm sorry to vent here.
Every time I move, there's always one thing that my new home state does WRONG that I run afoul of. This is Iowa's thing.
I'll get over it.
Eventually.
I better take a nice picture here, though, or I'll be ticked off.
<--- my DL photo
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Standard rule for DL pictures will likely apply: If you look like the picture on your license, you are WAY too sick to be driving!
Sympathy on the idiocies of bureaucracy, Bob.
Posted by Nato (Member # 1448) on :
I had to deal with getting a new card this summer so that I could work. It was a hassle, but they managed to get it to me in about 8 days, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
I don't remember ever losing my old card, but my parents said I got my first wallet ever around age 8 and put it in there, because it was the only card I had besides the library card. Eventually it went through the washing machine and met a soggy end.
But my new one is safe in one of my school notebooks. Or, really I need to remember to get it out of there and put it in an actual safe place. I had to bring it in to my new place of employment on Tuesday.
And I agree, a Social Security card is probably the easiest card to forge ever.
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
I agree! Same damn stupid rule in Ohio. I've been down there three times now, and each time they've told me one more document I needed : Passport, form I-20, and now SS card. "But I've got my number! It's right there on the ID card you issued me last month!" Oh, no.
Damn silly colonials. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
At least he managed to pick up the marriage licence while he was at the courthouse, so it wasn't a completely wasted 40 mile trip.
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
Iowa is intending to sell your SSI number to commercial databases, the same as it does your other private information.
[ February 03, 2005, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: aspectre ]
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Oh, that's okay then.
Sheesh!
I think I'll just grate my teeth some more.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
What gage grate Bob?
did you men grit? Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Grind, perhaps? Gnash?
Posted by The Rabbit (Member # 671) on :
I've heard that this is becoming far more common because of the Homeland Security / Patriot Act thing.
They want to prevent illegal aliens from getting driver's licenses. You don't have to have a US passport to be a legal resident, but you do have to have a SS #. They require a copy of the card because it is common for illegal aliens to use someone else SS # for employment.
That still doesn't explain why they can't use a passport or some other proof of citizenship / legal residency. I suspect that this was someones idea of simplifying the process (for the beurocrats not the public).
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
On the other hand, Iowa's congressional districts are divided up by a non-partisan body which means its seats are more competative!!!
*returns to reading about congressional elections* *dies*
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Bob, I actually went to the SSA yesterday and the DMV today! o_O
In NH, we have to REQUEST to have our SSN on our license. We also have the option to have it deleted from the DMV database. Pretty cool, the live free or die NH.
The trip to the SSA was easy and a short wait, too. I was very happy with how it turned out with my name .
See, bobndana should move to NH. Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
The day I have to give them my fingerprints is the day I stop driving. I moved out of California when they started requiring that.
I don't think they ever asked for my actual card for my driver's license, but I haven't gotten a new license in a new state in quite a while, though when I did, I had to specifically request to not have my ssn used as my dl number.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I'd be more worried about my SSN than my fingerprints, especially because as a childcare worker I was required to be printed anyway (which, I may say, was a good thing).
Posted by Coccinelle (Member # 5832) on :
My students tell me that you can get a SS card at a local supermarket for $25. No waiting requred.
Edit: decided it might not be best to name the supermarket.
[ February 04, 2005, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: Coccinelle ]
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
PA requires the actual SS card too.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
Good luck getting a new SSN card, Bob. From what I've heard, it's a serious pain -- mack probably had an ok time of it if she was changing her last name. Apparently, it's the only time it's ever easy.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Very true.
Oddly, when you go to the SSA, you don't have to show them your SS card.
In NH, you don't HAVE to use your SS card to get a new license or a transfer. You MUST have a certified birth certificate, and then a second form of ID. This could be your SS card, but also acceptable is a marriage certificate, passport, military ID, and there were a few other things. The last thing was some sort of proof of residency.
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<--- my DL photo
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