What all is sufficient and necessary to get a Real DL in Calif?

[Darto]

If I have a current valid non Real DL, and a certified copy of a birth certificate, is that all that is necessary to bring to the DMV office when applying for a Real Calif DL?

2 And what if my current valid non Real DL does not list my residence (because I live where we must use a pobox for all our mail, no door to door USPS delivery)? Is that non Real DL and a certified birth certificate sufficient?

[rob5819]

If I have a current valid non Real DL, and a certified copy of a birth certificate, is that all that is necessary to bring to the DMV office when applying for a Real Calif DL?

2 And what if my current valid non Real DL does not list my residence (because I live where we must use a pobox for all our mail, no door to door USPS delivery)? Is that non Real DL and a certified birth certificate sufficient?

There have been some very good threads on this subject. You'll need to prove your identity, your social security number, and your residency. You can look at the Real ID checklist https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/de...alid/checklist to see what kinds of documents will work for each of the three required areas.

A short list of acceptable documents is given as:

"Provide proof of identity, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card or foreign passport with an approved form I-94. Note: laminated documents will not be accepted (except a permanent resident card that can be laminated)

Show a California residency document that includes your physical California resident address. Documents addressed to a PO Box must include the physical resident address on documents (for example utility bills).

Present proof of your Social Security number, such as a SSN card, W-2 or paystub with your full SSN. "

I used a passport (identity), social security card (ssn#), and vehicle registration (residency).

[TRICKSTER]

Consider getting a REALID California Identification Card and leaving your CDL as is. It is good for 6 years and you never have to take a test to get it. Plus if somehow you ever do something to cause your CDL to be suspended or DMV screws up, you still have a valid California Identification Card.

[Darto]

A good plan, Trickster, I never thought of that....
Thanks for the info rob, I think my SS card has a printed number but a line to write your own name, so I would need a new one.

[TRICKSTER]

A good plan, Trickster, I never thought of that....
Thanks for the info rob, I think my SS card has a printed number but a line to write your own name, so I would need a new one.

Another thing about the SS Card. Do not laminate it. When I went to get my Real ID at the DMV, I saw several people turned away because they will not accept a laminated SS Card.

[flyer898]

[MountainDew]

I brought my Birth Certificate, SS Card, Last years W2 and my soon to be expired CA DL and I successfully got my "real ID/DL" in lieu of just renewing by mail and getting a "limits applied" DL. I was shocked to receive my card in the mail less than 2 weeks later.

[38Special]

I haven't seen, or I missed it, where anyone has addressed having your PO Box on the 'Real ID' DLs rather than your address.

[TRICKSTER]

I haven't seen, or I missed it, where anyone has addressed having your PO Box on the 'Real ID' DLs rather than your address.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/dl/residency_requirement

[rob5819]

A good plan, Trickster, I never thought of that....
Thanks for the info rob, I think my SS card has a printed number but a line to write your own name, so I would need a new one.

I have not done this, but here is the link they give to getting a replacement card: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.

Rob

[Dvrjon]

And, if you've had a change of name, (e.g.: marriage and taking spouse last name or hyphenation both names), you need your birth certificate and then the legal document which changed your name from birth to current. A current DL with the current name won't work.

[Darto]

Another thing about the SS Card. Do not laminate it. When I went to get my Real ID at the DMV, I saw several people turned away because they will not accept a laminated SS Card.

They were probably fooled by a great scene between the wise old Scotch Irishman and the young just married Jew in The Graduate:


Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean?
Mr. McGuire: There's a great future in plastics. Think about it.

[Marauder2003]

They were probably fooled by a great scene between the wise old Scotch Irishman and the young just married Jew in The Graduate:


Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Plastics.
Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean?
Mr. McGuire: There's a great future in plastics. Think about it.

I thought it was his graduation party?

[Dvrjon]

I thought it was his graduation party?

It was.

[Eureka1911]

I have not done this, but here is the link they give to getting a replacement card: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/.

Rob

I just did it. Took about 10 days to get a new replacement card. Very fast and easy to do.