For many women, marital status makes it hard to get a Real ID

QMaybe the actual process of getting a Real ID isn’t that hard, but pulling together documents for a married woman isn’t easy. Most utility accounts are in the husband’s name because when we set them up, they wouldn’t even consider putting my name on them. I finally found my name and address on a document for insurance that had both of our names. Fortunately, I already had a passport. That helped.

Women who have taken their husband’s name don’t even have a birth certificate showing their current name. We own our house, so we have no rental or lease agreement, and we do not have payment coupons for a mortgage. I am retired, so I have no employment documents. I was not a happy camper when I was searching for valid documentation. A I understand. And it’s more difficult for women who been divorced or remarried. If the name on your identity document is different from your current name, you must bring a certified legal document of the name change. Multiple name change documents are needed if your name has changed multiple times, and you will need to provide a certified dissolution of marriage document to connect the name listed on your identity document to your full name now.

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It seems to me that a Real ID is a form of illegal search and seizure and it’s time to push back against it. Let’s call a spade a spade: A Real ID is

required because of a frightened populace being told it will help to catch the bad guys.

A Real ID is nothing but an illegal invasion of privacy, and we all should protest until the law is changed. — Mike Cheponis, Santa Clara

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The Real ID program was approved by federal officials as a way to provide better security after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Yes, there are one-time hassles in getting the necessary paper work, but once you get a Real ID, future renewals will be easy. Remember, the deadline to get one is Oct. 1. Q

Be sure to remind people seeking a Real ID that they will need the actual Social Security card and

a certified copy of their birth certificate and, if necessary, their marriage license.

I went to the DMV with my Medicare card, a noncertified birth certificate and a church document of my marriage, which were all rejected. It took few months to get the real ones and then to have them notarized. So naturally, I had to make a second trip.

— Marcia Citta, Saratoga A Thanks for the tips.