I Have an Announcement to Make!

After three visits to the DMV, a visit to the Country Treasurer's Office, a lost car registration from California, and someone attempting to tell me that my CA driver's license, my military ID, my birth certificate, and my social security card were not enough to establish my identity (and causing a fit of rage and temper only someone who knows a redhead in person can appreciate)...

I HAVE A VIRGINIA DRIVER'S LICENSE!!  And my cars are successfully registered, too.

The picture is horrible.

Many, many thanks to those of you who emailed me and commented on my last post about the travails of petty bureaucracy.  It was precisely your suggestions which enabled me to get this done.

Yay for SpouseBUZZ!  Ya'll had a sister's back!

Comments

[Brandon]

If you had the same problems like both my wife and I had, you are not alone! I take it you are in Hampton, VA? The DMV here is THE WORST IN THE US! We were treated poorly, rudely, and never received great customer service! Hint to all: Go to Smithfield to get your plates and stickers. They are peaceful, quiet, and friendly. Memory tells me they don't offer NEW LICENSES to new drivers/PCS'ers. Good luck!

[Andi]

Well, at least it's OVER now....

[TripleE]

Glad to hear that your ordeal is over!
When I moved to CA, I went to the DMV for a new license. I was getting married in a month and asked about the name change/ new license. The DMV lady said, "no problem", asked what my new name was going to be and issued my license in that name... no proof or anything! No wonder there's so much license fraud here.

[phyllis]

When I got separated and Divorced years ago, I had to bring my divorce papers to DMV in CA to get rid of my exs name.

[Heather S.]

AFW...keep your notes...I'll need help soon! :-)

[Laura]

I can relate to your situation from both sides of the counter. Yep, I'm a milspouse who is also employed by a 'DMV'. From your perspective, I can definately relate to the frustrations and chaotic stress of all that is involved with PCSing. I say that, as a person without children. I'm sure that your level of stress is exponentially greater than mine during a move. I will add here, that my last PCS was prior to 9-11-2001. Having always maintained a license from the state where I originally obtained one, I had no idea how to obtain one in another state. I went to the local 'DMV' with MI license in hand. The clerk requested a 2nd form of ID, so I presented my mildep ID. She then requested a proof of residence. As I left the house that day, I stopped at the mailbox, so I had the electric bill in the car. Presto! 20 minutes and $40 later, I had a new license. And now, 2008, the documents required to obtain a license have changed dramatically. We now need birth certificates, passports, marriage certificates, social security cards, government IDs, proofs of residence...etc... These requirements are for all citizens, yet what I hear as a employee of the 'DMV' is, "But, I'm (we're) military". That said as if it entitles them to not have to provide the required documentation that everyone else does. I am a true patriot and am very grateful for the commitment and sacrifices of our military members and their families so I typically reply with a smile, "I'm military too, but even as an employee here, the requirements are the same for me too!" For future reference, AAA (Triple A) publishes a guide every year of basic licensing and registration requirements for all 50 states and US territories. The guide is available at all AAA offices and local libraries. Although the guide doesn't provide explicit information, it does contain current contact information for each state/territory to include official websites and telephone numbers. Shh...here's a few extra helpful tidbits just for milspouses. Avoid Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at DMVs. Ask about state policies/laws pertaining to military members/dependents. If you can, renew before you PCS. Many states, due to residency requirements, don't require that you obtain a license in that state for 30-90 days if at all. Renewing the license in the previous state may buy you time to obtain necessary documentation in new state or you may find it benefitial to retain license and registration from former state if you qualify. Finally, the Golden Rule. Treat others as you would expect them to treat you. If you go into the DMV seeking assistance, you should receive it. If you go in making requests or demands outside the operating regulations, you should expect to leave disappointed. I will not risk my job for your convenience, as I would never ask the same of you.

[airforcewife]

Just for the record - I did call ahead to the DMV even after viewing their website to find out EXACTLY which documents I needed to bring. And each time I went to the DMV, they told me I needed additional documents that weren't on any official list I asked for in advance.

I had all the documents that I officially needed the first time I went to the DMV (I even took two copies of each document in case they needed to keep them).

So, three visits; three long waits in line, with three roiling and bored children. And I came as prepared as I was told to be the first time.

I'm not sure WHAT was going on at the DMV this time - but it sure did feel like people weren't too eager to be helpful even within the rules.