[Nfbf-l] Bureaucracy to the Max

Wed Jun 27 14:15:22 UTC 2012

Patr, I just went through the exact same thing with my Florida I.D.! Now, 
you have to understand that this is Kirk Harmon here, so for me to stay calm 
through all of this was extremely difficult! LOL! I couldn't find my Social 
Security card either and had to go to the Social Seccurity office with all 
of the documents I needed as well and in total, I was let free after only 1 
visit to the S.S.  office as I called first for all that I was to bring and 
got the lady's name on the phone just in case I needed confirmation of the 
call. I then proceeded to the Florida drivers licence office for 2 more 
times for a total of 3 for them as I am in the middle of a divorce and 
finding all the documents needed was not that darn easy! Ugh! I agree with 
you that after 911 we need to be  more diligent, but come on! I just had to 
look at it like this, at least I had a nice man that was willing to take me 
back and forth to the different offices without any attitude about it! Kirk

Kirk Harmon
DA V national blind chapter
Life member

BVA/FRG
Life member

NFB & FCB
member
" A smile can change a persons life, try it sometime!"
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Patricia A. Lipovsky" <plipovsky at cfl.rr.com>
To: "NFBF List" <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 10:04 AM
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Bureaucracy to the Max

Hi all.

I wanted to write and share my wonderful experience I had recently with the 
Department of Motor Vehicles.  Talk about bureaucracy, this is bureaucracy 
to the Max as far as I'm concerned.  It's a tad long, and I apologize for 
that, but I didn't want to leave out too many details so you could get the 
complete picture of exactly what happened.

It all started when my state ID expired.  Warning:   If you do anything at 
all, do not let your ID expire..  It will be one of the biggest mistake you 
make!!

First trip to the DMV

I was told by a friend, even though my ID expired, just take it to the DMV, 
and they will just issue me a new one.     Wrong!

Since there is a two hour turn around time with my Parra transit, a very 
kind lady from my church offered to take me to the DMV so I wouldn't have to 
wait so long for my return trip.

I took my expired ID, as my friend suggested, which of course had my picture 
on it, and after standing in line for about 30 minutes, was told it could 
not be accepted because it was expired.  I then offered another ID with a 
picture of my service animal and myself on it, but they still wouldn't 
budge.  They told me I needed to come back with two utility bills, to show 
proof of address, a social security card or Birth certificate, and I would 
be good to go.

    Second Trip to the DMV

About two or three  weeks later, my very kind church lady and I go back to 
the DMV, water and electric bills in hand, along with my two photo ID's, my 
birth certificate, and got back in line to wait my turn.  I get up to the 
reception desk with all my info, and after looking at it, was asked for my 
social security card.  I explained I misplaced it, and the last time I was 
there, was told my birth certificate along with the other pieces of 
information I had would suffice.  She apologizes, and states my social 
security card is required.  I could go to the social security office and 
obtain a letter which they would accept, substantiating that I did have a 
social security card.

Feeling very frustrated, since I truly thought this issue was going to be 
resolved at this time, and had other things to do, I told my very kind 
church lady friend that we would deal with this another day.  Once again, 
she graciously offered to take me to the Social Security office one day the 
next week, and then back to the DMV, which was exactly what we did.

Third Trip to the DNV

We go back to the DNV a week later, social security letter in hand, two 
utility bills, two picture ID's, and my birth certificate.  I anxiously 
awaited my turn, and after waiting approximately 30 to 45 minutes, got up to 
the desk and handed the person my info.  After looking through it, she 
states my name on my birth certificate is not the same as on the other 
pieces of information. My response was, "Yes, I know, I got married." Can 
you guess what her next statement is? You got it.  She now needs a certified 
copy of my marriage certificate.

Needless to say, at this point, I wanted to scream, but thanks to our Lord 
and Savior, managed to compose myself.   I then proceeded to tell her that 
this was my third trip to the DMV, and pointed out that she did have two 
picture ID's right there in her hot little hand, (well I did leave the words 
hot little hand part out), with me standing right in front of her, verifying 
those pictures, plus two utility bills which verified home address and name, 
as well as my social security letter.  Noticing how frustrated I was, she 
decided to check with her boss, and upon return, proceeded to apologize for 
my inconvenience, but stated I would still have to come back with the 
marriage certificate.

Frustrated, disappointed, and discouraged, out the door we went for the 
third time, knowing I had yet another obstacle to overcome.

After numerous calls to New Jersey, I finally got to the correct office, 
where I was told they would be happy to send me a copy of my marriage 
certificate, provided I furnished them with a current driver's license /ID. 
Hmmm, another obstacle!  Long story short, I ended up contacting my x, who 
found it, and sent it to me.  Elated, I almost said "I love you", but caught 
myself in the nick of time, as that wouldn't have been a very good idea.

Fourth Trip to the DMV

So now my church lady friend and I are back at the DMV, with two photo ID's, 
two utility bills, my social security letter, my birth certificate, and my 
marriage certificate.  I once again, get up to the desk, feeling very 
confident this would be the day I get my new ID, but there was yet another 
glitch.  The marriage certificate that my x thought was the original, was a 
copy, and I was told she could not accept a copy.  Now, I can feel the blood 
rush to my head, and am trying very hard to maintain my composure.  She 
obviously took note of my expression, knowing I had been there before, and 
decided to ask her boss if she could accept it.  Luckily for my sake they 
did, and I was finally able to go on my merry way with my new ID.

Now, let me say because of what happened with 911, and the identity theft 
problem, I do understand the security issue, and totally agree with it one 
hundred percent, but what happened in my case though, I feel was overkill. 
If I didn't have two photo ID's, which obviously reiterated who I was, I 
could understand connecting all the dots, but truly feel that wasn't 
necessary here.

Also, people who drive get notified 2 months in advance that their license 
will be expiring.

People with state ID's who do not drive, do not ever get notified.  What's 
up with that???

Are people who don't drive less important? Do they not deserve equal 
treatment?  Is this discrimination?

You tell me!!

And remember....
If you lack the courage to  start, you have already finished.
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