Real ID Act Strikes Connecticut

In Connecticut, the Real ID Act is taking affect this October and it will require two different forms of IDs when you apply for a driver license. For most people they are saying what’s the big deal? For the middle class, this is not a big deal; however; for low income people it presents a major barrier.

Connecticut will move on "Real ID" license program this fall
Stamford Advocate
Martin B. Cassidy, Staff Writer
May 7, 2011

STAMFORD -- This fall state drivers will need to go through a new system for renewing and obtaining licenses that will require a variety of identification to obtain a new photo ID to flash as they enter airports, courthouses and other federal buildings.

The program, called CT Select ID, would start Oct. 3, and has been recognized as compliant with the security guidelines of the federal Real ID Act, Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman William Seymour said.

The Act requires two forms of ID, a primary and a secondary IDs. So what IDs are required? This is from the Department of Motor Vehicles

NOTE: PHOTOCOPIES OR NON-CERTIFIED COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Two (2) forms of the same identification will not be accepted. If any document presented is in a language other than English, it must be translated by an approved translator.
IDENTITY:

PRIMARY US Birth Certificate (Government Issued) US Valid Passport or Passport Card Valid Foreign Passport w/ a valid U.S. Visa and I-94 (See Legal Presence for additional requirements) Certificate of Naturalization Certificate of Citizenship Permanent Resident Card

SECONDARY Valid U//US Territory or Canadian photo driver license Valid US or Canadian issued photo learner permit Connecticut non-driver identification Military ID or dependent card with photo Connecticut pistol or firearm permit Military discharge/separation papers (DD-214) Court Order (Ex. Inc. name change, adoption, marriage or civil union dissolution) Marriage license Pilot’s license School record/transcript (must be certified) Social Security Card CT State Department of Social Services photo public assistance card CT Department of Corrections original certificate of identification Baptismal certificate or similar document State or Federal Employee Identification with signature and photo.

So what is the problem?

Well take a look at the primary ID, the birth certificate, for me I was born in Connecticut so it is a short trip to the city clerk’s office. But for someone born in California for example it becomes a major hurdle to overcome. They will have to travel to California to get your birth certificate because you to have to get it in person and for a low income person this maybe impossible. A passport? How many people have a passport, especially a person who is below the poverty level and in order to get a passport you need your birth certificate.

So what will happen to people who cannot provide the necessary documentation? According to the DMV web-site

Through the program, called SelectCT ID, people verifying will get a gold star on the license or ID card. Those declining will have one stamped "Not for Federal Identification." The difference could be extra screening under a proposed federal program slated to go into effect in 2017 for airports and federal buildings and also use for possible commercial transactions.

That means that you might not be able to get a car loan, open a checking account, buy a house, or vote.

For the trans-population this law also is a nightmare. In many states you cannot change your birth certificate or your diver license and you cannot change your gender marker unless you have surgery. For me my birth certificate still has my old name and gender still on it, but I can only change the name on it. Therefore, there might be mismatches in your documentation that may keep you from receiving a Real ID Act ID.

This is a bad law that will disenfranchise a large portion of American citizens.