Passport bullshit.
Jun. 16th, 2012 01:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wolven7So this nonsense with variable passport requirements makes so little sense that I just sent letters to all my representatives, requesting explanations.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, it breaks down like this: To quickly and easily apply for a passport, you need a driver's license. Not a State-Issued ID, a Driver's License. Even though they both require the same identity documentation to obtain, even though the only difference between them is that one requires you to have passed a driver's test, where the other does not-- Driver's License: Valid. State ID: Invalid.
To that end, when I emailed the state department about this:
"As first-time passport applicants, my girlfriend and I encountered some trouble, and I would like to ask the following question: Why is a state-issued ID card less valid than a driver's license issued by the same state governmental body? Furthermore, why, when it is not acceptable, must one present five pieces of identification, rather than the previously acceptable "Any Combination" or sworn "Witness of Identity" affidavit?
"Finally, when providing the aforementioned five pieces of picture identification, is it acceptable to copy the previously-invalid State-Issued Non-Driver ID?"
...I got the following response:
"Thank you for contacting the National Passport Information Center.
"To better assist you and due to general email security restrictions, we are unable to provide you with any specific information regarding your particular situation. Please call our office at the number listed below."
What about what I asked had any privacy or security concerns? Not a Damn thing.
And so, on the suggestion of my mother, I emailed my representative. In fact, I e-mailed my congressman and both senators. I considered e-mailing the governor, but it's not like I'm asking for a pardon or anything. Anyway, here's the message I sent:
"Dear [Title & Name],
"Hello, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Damien Williams, and I was hoping that you would be able to help me understand something which has heretofore puzzled everyone to whom I have put the question. What follows is a small amount of background information, that you may better understand the nature of my question.
"As first-time passport applicants, my girlfriend and I encountered some small amount of trouble, wherein my Georgia State Driver's License was acceptable identification and her state-issued ID card-- issued by the state of Georgia, and requiring the same proof if identity (birth certificate, bill in her name, and/or social security card)-- was not. We were informed of this via a letter from the State Department, requesting five new forms of identification, in absence of a driver's license.
"My questions are as follows: 1) Why does the State Department consider a State-Issued ID to be less valid than a Driver's License, when both are issued by the same state governmental body?
"2) Why, when the aforementioned document is not acceptable, must one present five distinct pieces of identification (each from at Least five years ago), rather than the previously acceptable "Any Combination" of alternative documents, or sworn "Witness of Identity" affidavit?
"3) and Finally (though you may be unable to help with this one), when providing the aforementioned five pieces of picture identification, is it acceptable to copy the previously-invalid State-Issued Non-Driver ID?
"I have sent inquiries to the State Department, and have been told that I cannot receive the information I requested, via email request. To that end, I would thank you for any help you can give, in resolving this matter.
"All the Very Best,
"Damien
Adjunct Instructor
University System of Georgia
[Phone Number]
[e-mail]"
Now we'll see who responds and in what manor.
If you don't know what I'm talking about, it breaks down like this: To quickly and easily apply for a passport, you need a driver's license. Not a State-Issued ID, a Driver's License. Even though they both require the same identity documentation to obtain, even though the only difference between them is that one requires you to have passed a driver's test, where the other does not-- Driver's License: Valid. State ID: Invalid.
To that end, when I emailed the state department about this:
"As first-time passport applicants, my girlfriend and I encountered some trouble, and I would like to ask the following question: Why is a state-issued ID card less valid than a driver's license issued by the same state governmental body? Furthermore, why, when it is not acceptable, must one present five pieces of identification, rather than the previously acceptable "Any Combination" or sworn "Witness of Identity" affidavit?
"Finally, when providing the aforementioned five pieces of picture identification, is it acceptable to copy the previously-invalid State-Issued Non-Driver ID?"
...I got the following response:
"Thank you for contacting the National Passport Information Center.
"To better assist you and due to general email security restrictions, we are unable to provide you with any specific information regarding your particular situation. Please call our office at the number listed below."
What about what I asked had any privacy or security concerns? Not a Damn thing.
And so, on the suggestion of my mother, I emailed my representative. In fact, I e-mailed my congressman and both senators. I considered e-mailing the governor, but it's not like I'm asking for a pardon or anything. Anyway, here's the message I sent:
"Dear [Title & Name],
"Hello, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Damien Williams, and I was hoping that you would be able to help me understand something which has heretofore puzzled everyone to whom I have put the question. What follows is a small amount of background information, that you may better understand the nature of my question.
"As first-time passport applicants, my girlfriend and I encountered some small amount of trouble, wherein my Georgia State Driver's License was acceptable identification and her state-issued ID card-- issued by the state of Georgia, and requiring the same proof if identity (birth certificate, bill in her name, and/or social security card)-- was not. We were informed of this via a letter from the State Department, requesting five new forms of identification, in absence of a driver's license.
"My questions are as follows: 1) Why does the State Department consider a State-Issued ID to be less valid than a Driver's License, when both are issued by the same state governmental body?
"2) Why, when the aforementioned document is not acceptable, must one present five distinct pieces of identification (each from at Least five years ago), rather than the previously acceptable "Any Combination" of alternative documents, or sworn "Witness of Identity" affidavit?
"3) and Finally (though you may be unable to help with this one), when providing the aforementioned five pieces of picture identification, is it acceptable to copy the previously-invalid State-Issued Non-Driver ID?
"I have sent inquiries to the State Department, and have been told that I cannot receive the information I requested, via email request. To that end, I would thank you for any help you can give, in resolving this matter.
"All the Very Best,
"Damien
Adjunct Instructor
University System of Georgia
[Phone Number]
[e-mail]"
Now we'll see who responds and in what manor.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-06-16 07:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-16 07:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-17 04:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 05:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-18 02:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-19 12:00 am (UTC)"-Previously issued, undamaged U.S. passport
-Naturalization Certificate
-Valid Driver's License
-Current Government ID (city, state or federal)
-Current Military ID (military and dependents) "
This is getting ridiculously frustrating.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-19 01:53 pm (UTC)the site i'm using: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_830.html#step4first
lists the same, i suspect we're looking at the same website.
but now that i'm looking at it again, i'm wondering if this isnt a wording interpretation issue... since you could say that "government ID" only covers IDs issued to government employees.
but that doesnt make any sense, since ryam did use his state issued ID to get his passport. he had to turn in three documents in order to get his done. his state id, his birth certificate, and his court issued proof of name change. i remember we thought he was going to get a lot of shit over the name change thing, but they didnt raise an eyebrow.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 04:00 pm (UTC)"Current Government ID (city, state or federal)" includes a state-issued ID. K's state ID and birth certificate should work just fine. The downtown post office near 5 Points probably still does passport processing.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 05:13 pm (UTC)Still no reasoning as to WHY, but there you go. Forewarned, forearmed, and all that.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-26 04:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-28 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-22 05:18 pm (UTC)But that still wouldn't answer whyshe would need at least 3 forms of documentation, when I only needed 2. :\