Real ID -- name change question

[redheadbaker]

I'm confused on whether I need to bring in my marriage certificate an divorce decree from my first marriage. 

Got married. Took his last name. 

Got divorced. Changed back to maiden name. 

Got married again. Kept my maiden name. 

So, my current name matches what's on my birth certificate. But I see info on the Real ID page on the PennDOT page that if you have multiple marriages, you need to provide a clear "trail" to your current name. Are they just assuming the woman takes the husband's name each time? Or do I need to bring in marriage certificate #1, divorce decree and marriage certificate #2? 

[MeMyselfandI]

I didn't have to, but that may have been an oversight on their part. I just brought my marriage certificate to show my current name. If you didn't change your name after the second marriage, I'd think your birth certificate would be enough. But you know how government agencies can be sometimes, especially the BMV.

[bcv513]

If your current last name matches the last name on your birth certificate then I think you're fine. My understanding is that you only need the marriage certificate to explain the name change.

[cattledogkisses]

I got a Real ID last month, although my disclaimer is that I'm not in PA.

I did change my name when I got married, and I did not need to provide my marriage certificate, but I also didn't use my birth certificate for ID. I used my current driver's license, my passport, and my SS card, which are all in my married name.

When in doubt though I'd just bring everything. Better to have it and not need it than the reverse.

[mrsd2006]

I would take it alllll just to be safe.

[redheadbaker]

Feb 27, 2020 13:57:20 GMT -5 Catlawdy said:

If you have it, I'd bring it.

I don't have it, which is why I'm asking. I'd rather not take a PTO day and pay the fee to get certified copies if I don't need to.

[shauni27]

I would think that if you have your maiden name you will be fine. I did this just last month in a different state and the only reason they needed my marriage certificate was because my last name did not match my birth certificate.

[msmerymac]

I'd imagine the commonwealth just assumes women change their last name when they get married, because I like to think the worst of people in these scenarios.

ETA: Are you doing this soon? I have to do mine, but probably not for a couple months, and I'll tell you how it goes, but I never changed my name and then changed it back.

[somersault72]

Can you call the DMV and ask? To me, if you're redheadbaker maidenname the birth certificate should be fine. I would think all the marriage/divorce paperwork would just be to prove how you got your name. Your current name is the one you were born with. I would hate for you to get there and that not be the case, though.

[Susie]

Per the NYS DMV's REAL ID page, the proofs of name change are only required "If the name on your license, permit, or non-driver ID application does not match the name on your identity, lawful status, and social security proofs."  I bypassed the need to bring a marriage certificate by just using a passport in my current name rather than birth certificate (which I don't know where it is anyway) + marriage certificate.

Since the REAL ID requirements are federal, I would expect other states to be the same.  So I don't think you need the marriage and divorce docs since your name matches your birth cert.  I assume it also matches the non-REAL ID compliant ID that you already have.

[redheadbaker]

Feb 27, 2020 14:31:19 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

I'd imagine the commonwealth just assumes women change their last name when they get married, because I like to think the worst of people in these scenarios.

ETA: Are you doing this soon? I have to do mine, but probably not for a couple months, and I'll tell you how it goes, but I never changed my name and then changed it back.

Within the next 4 weeks.

[redheadbaker]

I think I'm going to skip obtaining all that paperwork and see what happens. If it turns out I can't get the Real ID this time around, NBD. It's optional for PA residents and I have a valid passport that doesn't expire for several years.

[alleinesein]

Bring all of it. My cousin had to provide documentation for all 3 marriages and 2 divorces. If you have held a DL in your current state under any other names, they will most likely demand proof of name change for each name.

[suburbanzookeeper]

I'm in California and they asked to see everything (married, divorced but kept last name, married a 2nd time and changed name again). I would bring it all just to CYA.

[rubytue]

Feb 27, 2020 14:59:03 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I think I'm going to skip obtaining all that paperwork and see what happens. If it turns out I can't get the Real ID this time around, NBD. It's optional for PA residents and I have a valid passport that doesn't expire for several years.

Can’t you just use the passport instead of s birth certificate? In MD, I brought my passport, and didn’t need to have my birth certificate. No proof of name change asked for.

[redheadbaker]

Feb 27, 2020 16:10:18 GMT -5 rubytue said:

Feb 27, 2020 14:59:03 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

I think I'm going to skip obtaining all that paperwork and see what happens. If it turns out I can't get the Real ID this time around, NBD. It's optional for PA residents and I have a valid passport that doesn't expire for several years.

Can’t you just use the passport instead of s birth certificate? In MD, I brought my passport, and didn’t need to have my birth certificate. No proof of name change asked for.

Maybe? I have to look at the document requirements again.

[klee23]

redheadbaker My husband still had his hanging on the fridge


Though I'm still not sure how to interpret it. Passport is valid as a Proof of Identidy but Proof of All Legal Name Changes is a separate bullet point. 

If you can't get a definitive answer from calling I would wait to have copies (certified with raised seals) of marriage license/divorce decree. My local DMV normally has a several hour wait to have your paperwork processed for Real ID and it's a small area (and it's not one of the sites that processes same day Real ID)

ETA: Nevermind, on the PennDot website FAQ's: 
-What documents will I need to obtain a REAL ID?
...Proof of all Legal Name Changes

Examples: Certified marriage certificate or court order issued by your county's family court

*Please note: You must show a complete name change history that links your birth certificate name to your current name. If you have a valid U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card with your legal name, you may use that as your name change document.

www.dmv.pa.gov/Pages/REAL-ID-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx

I realize your legal name is your maiden name but it sounds like as long as your passport is good, you are good to go.

[wanderingback]

I don't think so.
My state has an interactive website that lets you click on what documents you have and it was fine with a passport and something else for REAL ID.
I have also been married and divorced. My name is now my original name and all of my documents match that name.
If it cases any problems I'll just stick with my passport as I take it with me when I travel anyway.

[underwaterrhymes]

Feb 27, 2020 13:56:34 GMT -5 cattledogkisses said:

I got a Real ID last month, although my disclaimer is that I'm not in PA.

I did change my name when I got married, and I did not need to provide my marriage certificate, but I also didn't use my birth certificate for ID. I used my current driver's license, my passport, and my SS card, which are all in my married name.

When in doubt though I'd just bring everything. Better to have it and not need it than the reverse.

This is what I did too.

ETA - I also brought multiple bills and I’m glad I did because wound up accidentally bringing an informational piece of mail from the gas company instead of a current bill and wound up needing the extra stuff I had.

[ohgillian]

I basically showed up with every possible paper I could need.