HumidBeing
In Memory of Riley Jane
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I'm posting this in the hopes that some of you have constructive ideas on how to solve this unexpected problem. Feel free to add your own list of frustrations about bureaucratic systems if it makes you feel better.
I applied for a passport because I hope to attend some out-of-country research seminars in the future, and because I'd like to be able to make any other general travel plans like without having to worry about last minute passport application delays. When people in the lab have the opportunity to attend conferences, it is often with short notice. It seemed like a simple, though relatively expensive process.
I downloaded and printed the application forms from my computer; filled them out; and took them to the nearest designated post office along with my birth certificate, driver's permit, and cash. The first glitch was that their photo machine was broken. I was sent to a nearby drugstore that does them for half the price of the post office. That was a good glitch. The second was that the hours posted on the gov't site were incorrect; this p.o. only takes the applications during limited hours 3 days/wk. I had to rearrange my schedule and return the following week. Third glitch - the gov't doesn't accept cash for passport applications. (I thought it was hilariously ironic that they don't accept their own currency.) I didn't bring a checkbook; so, I had to walk back out to the window and purchase a money order. These were all minor, only slightly annoying inconveniences.
Today I received a thick envelope from our gov't. They consider my driver's permit, photos, and original birth certificate, which they still posses, to be insufficient identification. They request that I send five proofs of identification which are more than 5 years old. These all must contain the date and either my name and signature, or my photo and name.
Examples of acceptable documents:
work ID
School ID
newspaper articles or publications which include my picture
yearbook photos w/school year on page
voter's registration card
Selective Service card
Driver's license
traffic tickets (never thought one of THOSE might come in handy)
Plus, there are sheafs of papers to fill in - every address that I've ever had along with dates - every job with dates - birthdates and locations for all family members (including ex-spouses, which I don't have) and verification that they are citizens. They also want to know when I left the US, when I returned, and where and when I was baptized. (Those questions are asked together. The third really irritates me because it sounds like I'm not a citizen unless I've been baptized.)
I don't know what to do. I do have my driver's permit, school ID, voter's registration card, and selective service card (if I can find what I did with the last two), but I'm a FRESHMAN - none of these meet the over five years old requirement. I have medical records, but they don't have my signature - I was a minor. I was home educated. We didn't wear ID's because our parents knew who we were. The closest thing I have to a year book is stacks of family photos.
I don't get it. Why, if they require a driver's permit and birth certificate in order to apply, do they call these insufficient proof of identity?
Has anyone else had problems obtaining a passport? Any suggestions for how to solve these problems?
I applied for a passport because I hope to attend some out-of-country research seminars in the future, and because I'd like to be able to make any other general travel plans like without having to worry about last minute passport application delays. When people in the lab have the opportunity to attend conferences, it is often with short notice. It seemed like a simple, though relatively expensive process.
I downloaded and printed the application forms from my computer; filled them out; and took them to the nearest designated post office along with my birth certificate, driver's permit, and cash. The first glitch was that their photo machine was broken. I was sent to a nearby drugstore that does them for half the price of the post office. That was a good glitch. The second was that the hours posted on the gov't site were incorrect; this p.o. only takes the applications during limited hours 3 days/wk. I had to rearrange my schedule and return the following week. Third glitch - the gov't doesn't accept cash for passport applications. (I thought it was hilariously ironic that they don't accept their own currency.) I didn't bring a checkbook; so, I had to walk back out to the window and purchase a money order. These were all minor, only slightly annoying inconveniences.
Today I received a thick envelope from our gov't. They consider my driver's permit, photos, and original birth certificate, which they still posses, to be insufficient identification. They request that I send five proofs of identification which are more than 5 years old. These all must contain the date and either my name and signature, or my photo and name.
Examples of acceptable documents:
work ID
School ID
newspaper articles or publications which include my picture
yearbook photos w/school year on page
voter's registration card
Selective Service card
Driver's license
traffic tickets (never thought one of THOSE might come in handy)
Plus, there are sheafs of papers to fill in - every address that I've ever had along with dates - every job with dates - birthdates and locations for all family members (including ex-spouses, which I don't have) and verification that they are citizens. They also want to know when I left the US, when I returned, and where and when I was baptized. (Those questions are asked together. The third really irritates me because it sounds like I'm not a citizen unless I've been baptized.)
I don't know what to do. I do have my driver's permit, school ID, voter's registration card, and selective service card (if I can find what I did with the last two), but I'm a FRESHMAN - none of these meet the over five years old requirement. I have medical records, but they don't have my signature - I was a minor. I was home educated. We didn't wear ID's because our parents knew who we were. The closest thing I have to a year book is stacks of family photos.
I don't get it. Why, if they require a driver's permit and birth certificate in order to apply, do they call these insufficient proof of identity?
Has anyone else had problems obtaining a passport? Any suggestions for how to solve these problems?
and the lady was so loud going on and on about whether they were legal citizens or not. Then after they passed there were still 3 sets of people ahead of me who didn't have their stuff together either (don't under 18 people know they need their parent there)
