Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Money
  • Election 2020
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Money
    Election 2020
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism

Connecticut to begin controversial ‘Real ID’ program

  • by Mark Pazniokas
  • September 22, 2011
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Unverified ID

An ‘unverified’ license

Connecticut launched a campaign today to publicize how to obtain a driver’s license that meets the stricter verification standards of a federal “Real ID” law passed in 2005, but never implemented in face of objections from two dozen states.

Beginning Oct. 3, drivers in Connecticut will have two choices when renewing their licenses: accept a license stamped “not for federal identification,” or provide proof of residence and immigration status for an ID with a gold star.

“People will need to make an informed choice,” said Melody Currey, the commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. “We want to be sure we get the word out.”

Real ID was a reaction to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, but it has provoked objections on the political left and right over privacy issues and questions over the federal government’s right to dictate license standards to states.

It also has prompted fears that the two types of licenses will be used to against illegal immigrants or those whose ethnicity often leads to questions about their citizenship.

Werner Oyanadel, the acting executive director of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission, said the panel is monitoring the program, but it has not raised objections about how it is being implemented in Connecticut.

Critics have said it will do little improve security, and its full implementation is not scheduled until 2017, sixteen years after the 9-11 attacks. The state is beginning now, because it has a six-year cycle of renewals.

It is expected that the new IDs then will be used to screen airline passengers and people seeking access to federal office buildings. Those without the new licenses could face extra screenings.

Currey said airline flyers or persons who frequently have business in federal buildings should consider the new licenses, although a passport will serve the same purpose.

But David McGuire, a staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union in Connecticut, said the ACLU advises people to skip the hassle of gathering the documents necessary to obtain the new verified license.

“There really is no need to jump through the hoops and get the verified license,” he said. With half the states rebelling, he said, “There is virtually no chance that ‘Real ID’ will ever be implemented, or you won’t be able to fly without a verified license or enter a federal building.”

The ACLU is among the critics of the federal law, but McGuire complimented Connecticut for giving its residents an opportuity to opt out.

“In general we’ve had some real concerns about privacy and fairness associated with ‘Real ID’ on the national level, and we have been carefully following implementation in Connecticut,” he said. “The bottom line is we do applaud the DMV in our state.”

The DMV is airing radio commercials in English and Spanish to instruct drivers of the choice they will have at renewal time – and the documents required to obtain a “Real ID,” known as “SelectCT ID” in Connecticut.

One need do nothing until their license or other DMV-issued identification is up for renewal. The expiration date is printed on every license, next to the date of birth.

Renewals of new or old-style licenses can be obtained at DMV or AAA offices.

The old license or ID is all that is necessary for a renewal, unless the applicant wants a “SelectCT ID.” In that case, residents must provide proof of identity, immigration status, Connecticut residency, and Social Security number.

And that is the purpose of the advertising campaign: To save drivers from the aggravation of being told they lack the documentation for an ID meeting the new federal standards. More than 30,000 licenses are renewed every month.

Two forms of ID are required, and one must come from the following list:

U.S. birth certificate or registration of birth; U.S. passport or passport card; foreign passport with a U.S. visa and I-94; certificate of naturalization; certificate of citizenship; permanent resident card; or consular report of birth abroad.

The second form of ID can be from a lengthy list, including a U.S. or Canadian photo drivers license or learners permit, military ID or dependent ID, military discharge papers, marriage license or civil union certificate, and firearms permit.

To prove residency in Connecticut, one must bring two documents showing your name and address.

Acceptable documents include a pre-printed pay stub, first-class mail, Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement, bank statement or a computer-generated bill from a bank, mortgage company, utility, credit card company, doctor or hospital.

To prove your valid Social Security number, bring a recent W-2 or a Social Security card as issued by the Social Security administration, not one that is laminated or otherwise altered.

If you have changed your name, you must have a marriage or civil union certificate, a marriage or civil union dissolution or a probate court name change document.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

Free to Read. Not Free to Produce.

The Connecticut Mirror is a nonprofit newsroom. 90% of our revenue comes from people like you. If you value our reporting please consider making a donation. You'll enjoy reading CT Mirror even more knowing you helped make it happen.

YES, I'LL DONATE TODAY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark Pazniokas

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Connecticut’s $90M lobbying industry has a new player: former Speaker Joe Aresimowicz
by Mark Pazniokas

Former House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz is becoming a lobbyist, but a revolving-door law limits him for a year.

Spiking tax revenue will wipe out state budget deficit, analysts say
by Keith M. Phaneuf

Projected state revenues skyrocketed by $1.7 billion Friday, positioning officials to balance the next state budget without tax hikes.

Judge approves shorter sentence for convicted murderer turned prison mentor
by Kelan Lyons

The DOC could start screening Clyde Meikle in July for discharge to a halfway house.

Without vocal dissent, Senate confirms Justice Andrew McDonald
by Mark Pazniokas

The state Senate acted quickly Friday to confirm Andrew J. McDonald to a second term on the Supreme Court.

Funding to fix CT’s roads and bridges is drying up, and officials don’t have a solution
by Keith M. Phaneuf and Kasturi Pananjady

Connecticut's transportation building program is on a financial diet after a five-year ramp-up after lawmakers rejected tolls.

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Evidence not clear that Trump incited Capitol destruction
by Alan Calandro

Defending President Donald Trump is not popular and I have no interest in writing this other than adherence to truth. Recognizing the truth (if we can find it, which is not always possible of course) should make us be able to come together around that and move on with a common understanding.

Opinion Securing our nuclear legacy: An open letter to President-elect Joe Biden
by Erik Assadourian

Dear President-elect Biden: As you noted in a tweet shortly after protestors stormed the Capitol on Wednesday, “Today is a reminder, a painful one, that democracy is fragile.” Indeed it is. And so are nation-states.

Opinion Last votes of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others
by Gary A. Franks

Finally, the election season is over. The historic elections we saw in this cycle were intriguing. The runoff elections for the U.S. Senate in Georgia put a cap on the campaign season. For many people this could be described as a COVID-19 election. I would argue that this was an election influenced by a pandemic but determined by the killing of unarmed Black people with no adequate justice for the Black community.

Opinion Not just environmental problem; Killingly plant is a great target
by Joel Gordes

In 1990, I was one of five legislators to introduce the first climate change legislation that became PA 90-219, An Act Considering Climate Change, the most popular bill of that session. Back then I considered climate change a national security issue… and I still do.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO