Charles Esther
Women who have changed their names due to marriage or divorce are facing difficulties in obtaining a Real ID before the May 7 deadline.
Real ID Requirements and the May 7 Deadline
Starting on May 7, individuals wishing to board domestic flights in the United States will no longer be able to use their regular driver’s licenses.
Instead, they will be required to present a Real ID or another form of valid identification.
For women who have changed their names through marriage or divorce, obtaining a Real ID requires presenting a marriage certificate or divorce decree.
This requirement has created significant challenges for many.
Challenges Faced by Women
Debra Kohn, a 68-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, found herself repeatedly visiting her local DMV after struggling to secure the correct marriage certificate for her Real ID application.
She had originally married in 1986, but her marriage certificate was from a justice of the peace, not the county.
As a result, she had to make three trips to the DMV and one to the clerk’s office, spending a total of six hours obtaining the necessary documents.
Kohn’s frustration is shared by other women in similar situations.
Jessiqua, a 34-year-old woman in Oklahoma, faced challenges while trying to obtain her Real ID during her divorce proceedings in 2020 and 2021.
She was asked to provide both her marriage certificate and divorce document, but at the time, she didn’t have access to her divorce decree.
After a lengthy process, she managed to obtain a legal separation document from her lawyer, which allowed her to proceed with her Real ID application.
Hurdles in Document Retrieval
Julie Anderson, a 58-year-old woman from Massachusetts, was somewhat luckier when applying for her Real ID.
Though she had divorced but kept her ex-husband’s last name, she was able to apply with just a copy of her marriage license and divorce decree.
An understanding DMV employee accepted her documents, despite her not having the original marriage license.
Anderson expressed her surprise at the leniency, saying that she had gone through her files and could not find a copy of the original certificate.
However, not all women have had such luck.
Diane Wagner, 53, encountered significant challenges during her visit to the DMV in St. Louis, Missouri.
Her first visit to the DMV was unsuccessful because the marriage certificate she had at home was not sufficient.
She spent an entire day running around, trying to obtain the necessary documents.
Eventually, she had to pay a fee and apply for a certified marriage certificate online, which arrived two weeks later.
Real ID Crisis Across the Country
The deadline for Real ID compliance has created a scramble across the nation.
The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, was initially meant to be implemented by 2008.
However, multiple delays have pushed the deadline to May 7, 2025.
Now that the deadline is fast approaching, many Americans, particularly women who have changed their names, are feeling the pressure.
Several states are seeing long lines and overwhelmed DMV offices.
In Illinois, for instance, DMV offices are inundated with requests, leading to a pop-up message on their website notifying customers that some local municipalities are hosting their own events to handle the overflow.
Other states, such as Kentucky, have seen long appointment delays, with available slots not coming up until July.
Women’s Growing Frustration
For many women, the Real ID process is seen as a bureaucratic headache.
Diane Wagner expressed regret about changing her name, saying, “Had I known there was gonna be all these hoops, I maybe never would’ve changed my name.”
Her experience reflects a broader sentiment that the cumbersome process of obtaining the right documents can feel discouraging, especially when faced with long waits and multiple trips to different offices.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect After May 7
Despite the May 7 deadline, individuals can still obtain their Real IDs after the new regulations take effect.
However, the intense rush to secure appointments before the cutoff date is a clear indication of the ongoing confusion and stress surrounding the process.
As more Americans realize they need to meet the Real ID requirements, DMV offices across the nation will continue to see an influx of people seeking to complete their applications.
While the federal government has made efforts to streamline the process, the overwhelming demand for Real IDs has left many individuals frustrated, especially women who are dealing with the added challenge of name changes.
For those still in need of the necessary documentation, it is advisable to prepare early and expect potential delays in securing appointments or obtaining marriage certificates.
Conclusion
As the May 7 deadline rapidly approaches, women who have changed their names are finding it more difficult than ever to navigate the Real ID process.
With the added complexity of marriage and divorce certificates, many have faced frustrating delays and challenges.
While the Real ID law was designed to improve security, its implementation has created significant obstacles for those trying to comply, especially for women with name changes.
