Getting a Driver's License in the wonderful state of Maryland

[darkchilde794 5]

This is a quasi-review on getting a DL in Maryland, especially for people with a similar situation as me: you lived in the US prior to immigrating and therefore had a social security number AND a driver's license, and now are immigrating to the US and changing your name to your husband's...

First off, I have not had the luck of changing my social security number from my maiden name to my married name. Not when I had gone to the office back in December with my marriage license. Not when I had gone back to the office back in February with my marriage license, AP and EAD. According to SSS, if immigration has not "updated" my file, they cannot "touch" my social security number. Well immigration has not only updated my file, they transferred it to CSC. But because according to their system, I am still registered under my maiden name, what the wonderful people of the social security office in Columbia did was "send" off my information to homeland security in LA to "confirm" that me as my maiden name and me as my married name have the same social security number. That was three weeks ago. Still, no word from SSS.

Second, because social security has not confirmed that the person listed under my social security number in my maiden name is now using a married name, the MVA won't give me a license. After much debate with the MVA (Frederick branch) on my first visit back in December, they relented and gave me a temporary driver's license that expired as my "K1 visa". They told me they cannot extend the DL because my visa only allows me to stay in the US until February, even though I have explained to them that I am only allowed to stay had I refused to marry my fiance, who now is my husband. Furthermore, all my NOA's and notification from homeland security did not matter. They didn't want to give me a license and told me to come back when my EAD has been issued.

So two Saturdays ago, a day before my DL expired, I went back to the same MVA with my EAD. After a long time waiting for the dude to figure out what to do with me, he told me that social security has not verified that me as my maiden name and me as my married name are the same people, so he cannot issue me a full driver's license -- yet again, and even though my EAD gives me "legitimate" reason to stay in the US, he cannot give me a license because of the "identity issue". He then issues me a temporary license (this time, it expires within 45 days), and tells me that they will send a notice to homeland security in California (familiar, eh?) to confirm my identity.

Last week Tuesday, an MVA supervisor named Kris Vega called and left a message on my phone, saying that she has heard back from homeland security and has confirmed my identity. She told me to come back to the MVA so I can be issued a full license.

So I returned last Saturday -- and I was really lucky because Kris was there. But the day did not go without any drama... because even while Kris was there and I actually managed to talk to her as she was manning the information line, I was assigned to this horrible agent that I can only kindly call the mean, lazy, b*tch. Anyway, the MLB was given specific instructions about my case (by Kris, who told her about me in front of me), was told to get all my SAVE files, was told about the issue, etc. MLB tries to get me a license, is a complete b*tch in the process and then tells me that social security has not confirmed my identity as married and maiden me. God, that pissed me off, because I had driven 2 hours to the Frederick MVA just for the license part and she basically was telling me that she cannot issue me one and to come back when social security has confirmed that I am who I am.

Rather than argue with her, I went to Kris again and told her that MLB said "she cannot do anything for me", and she (Kris) actually took me aside to look into my case. The woman is SOO nice and knowledgeable and actually works. She said that social security is essentially doing the same thing that she did (which is to inquire about me to homeland) and she doesnt know why its taken them longer than she did. Anyway the woman called in to try to figure out her options, assured me that I will be walking out of the branch with a driver's license and apologized for what's happened. She even said that she is so sorry that I had not talked to her back in December, because if I did, I would have gotten a full license -- which I think most people have! Forty-five minutes later, she is able to issue me a new license, in my maiden name still, but one that does not expire until a year from now. She told me that once I get my green card, they can issue me a new license no problem and that I dont have to get a new one until this one expires.

So for those of you who are going to exchange your license in Maryland, some words of advice:

1. If you are able to do so, go to the Frederick MVA and not other MVA's. Apparently Frederick is the best to work in... Glen Burnie which is closer to me is an office of #######, and everyone there is horrible -- I took my test there 5 years ago and it was a nightmare. But Frederick is never very crowded and if not for the issues I had, I would have been able to do my business within 20 minutes

2. If you are going to Frederick, request to see Kris Vega and no one else -- she is the supervisor in the branch, and she knows what shes doing. The rest just dont know or dont care.

3. If you are able to do so, wait until social security confirms your identity -- I think you need a social security number to get married in Maryland (at least I did to get married in the Ellicott City court), and it might be an issue to change your name and get a license at the same time

As I was leaving the MVA, I went back to say thank you to Kris and the MLB was there. I purposely said in a loud voice, "Thank you Ms. Vega for working on my case. I really, really appreciate your help". HAH.

[Sam and Ben 2]

Wow, sounds like that was a lot of fun. Sounds like the issues I'm anticipating when I go trade in my Canadian DL this week, hopefully.

Happy to hear you at least walked out with something, even if it was a document that's simply perpetuating the lovely name limbo we all adore, heh.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

wow, I'm sorry you had to go through so much #######.....looks like I'm headed in that direction.

I can't do any banking that has my married name on it unless I have(specifically) a Michigan DL to show identification.

I can't get a Michigan DL in my married name cause my SSN is in my maiden name.

I can't change my name with SSN for the same reasons you gave. People have said to go back to the SSN office to state my case, so I still have to do that.

Why do they make it so difficult????

[darkchilde794 5]

wow, I'm sorry you had to go through so much #######.....looks like I'm headed in that direction.

I can't do any banking that has my married name on it unless I have(specifically) a Michigan DL to show identification.

I can't get a Michigan DL in my married name cause my SSN is in my maiden name.

I can't change my name with SSN for the same reasons you gave. People have said to go back to the SSN office to state my case, so I still have to do that.

Why do they make it so difficult????

I KNOW! And I dont understand why the frigging local government cant communicate with the frigging federal government. The MVA personnel had ALREADY confirmed with USCIS that I am both the person under my maiden and married name, yet they cant issue me a license because social security has not caught up yet.

I was told by Kris Vega that as soon as I get my green card, they will issue me a driver's license in my married name even if my social security is still in my maiden name. The problem is I still need to change my SSS to my married name or else Ill have to file taxes and fill out work papers in my maiden name, and I already did it with my married name.

Sigh. Have we not gone through enough???

Edit: CDAgirlMI -- Wachovia added me to my husband's account using my married name as long as I showed them my marriage license.

Edited March 1, 2010 by darkchilde794

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I KNOW! And I dont understand why the frigging local government cant communicate with the frigging federal government. The MVA personnel had ALREADY confirmed with USCIS that I am both the person under my maiden and married name, yet they cant issue me a license because social security has not caught up yet.

I was told by Kris Vega that as soon as I get my green card, they will issue me a driver's license in my married name even if my social security is still in my maiden name. The problem is I still need to change my SSS to my married name or else Ill have to file taxes and fill out work papers in my maiden name, and I already did it with my married name.

Sigh. Have we not gone through enough???

Edit: CDAgirlMI -- Wachovia added me to my husband's account using my married name as long as I showed them my marriage license.

That was exactly what my husband said.....each branch of government is doing things their own way that don't connect.

I was added to my husband's account after I moved here. But they told me when we went there Saturday I needed a DL to show for id if I change it to my married name. So, I haven't officially changed my name with them yet.....

blah

[KnJ 0]

I also don't understand SSA.

I had NO problem whatsoever changing my SSN to my married name. I brought in the SS card. I brought my marriage certificate and my passport (probably about a month before the I-94 expired in my passport). She looked at the passport. She looked at the marriage certificate. Done. She printed me a letter with my new name and current address, and said to expect the card in standard amt of time.

She also said I can use that letter as proof of my name change.

In Massachusetts, the marriage certificate is good for evidence of name change, evidence of residence/address.

When I was at the RMV last week the guy took my passport, presumably to his supervisor, and I imagine it was to ask whether he could issue the license when the I-94 has expired. The manager presumably was sane enough to see that I got married, am actually living in MA, and it was set, he made copies of my documentation and sent me on my way with a temp DL.

The guy even noticed that my new name was wrong on my car registration and suggested I talk to his manager at another window (because if I tried to request some name change through the normal channels I'd have to pay money); the manager printed a new registration right there on the spot! The title is still wrong, but I'll work that out. I think he suggested just putting a sticker on the title.

Of all the states I would've thought MA would be a real pain in the a$$. But the only problem I've had is skipping the detail of needing my provincial DL history from Ontario. That was what basically excludes you from having to take a road test (if you're from Canada, at least). They want to know how long you've been licensed.

Sorry people are having so much trouble. I duno darkchilde if it's really because you had an existing rather than new SSN, but I think it shouldn't matter. If already at the point of AOS with I-94 expired, maybe that's the problem, it (K-1 and AOS through marriage) just seems like such a bureaucratic grey area and most of the workers don't know ####### about how to deal with it.

[CDAgirlMI 51]

I also don't understand SSA.

I had NO problem whatsoever changing my SSN to my married name. I brought in the SS card. I brought my marriage certificate and my passport (probably about a month before the I-94 expired in my passport). She looked at the passport. She looked at the marriage certificate. Done. She printed me a letter with my new name and current address, and said to expect the card in standard amt of time.

She also said I can use that letter as proof of my name change.

In Massachusetts, the marriage certificate is good for evidence of name change, evidence of residence/address.

When I was at the RMV last week the guy took my passport, presumably to his supervisor, and I imagine it was to ask whether he could issue the license when the I-94 has expired. The manager presumably was sane enough to see that I got married, am actually living in MA, and it was set, he made copies of my documentation and sent me on my way with a temp DL.

The guy even noticed that my new name was wrong on my car registration and suggested I talk to his manager at another window (because if I tried to request some name change through the normal channels I'd have to pay money); the manager printed a new registration right there on the spot! The title is still wrong, but I'll work that out. I think he suggested just putting a sticker on the title.

Of all the states I would've thought MA would be a real pain in the a$$. But the only problem I've had is skipping the detail of needing my provincial DL history from Ontario. That was what basically excludes you from having to take a road test (if you're from Canada, at least). They want to know how long you've been licensed.

Sorry people are having so much trouble. I duno darkchilde if it's really because you had an existing rather than new SSN, but I think it shouldn't matter. If already at the point of AOS with I-94 expired, maybe that's the problem, it (K-1 and AOS through marriage) just seems like such a bureaucratic grey area and most of the workers don't know ####### about how to deal with it.

NO offense to you...but wth.

I can see the secretary of state having their own rules that vary state by state. But SS? Am I wrong by saying its a Federal thing?????

I'm going back there to talk with a supervisor & I'll be pretty peeved if they don't change it.

[Married2009 32]

Men have it easier - no name changes!

[Sam and Ben 2]

Men have it easier - no name changes!

/agree

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Ah Darkchilde, that doesn't sound like much fun at all!! I know how annoying it can be dealing with these people who a. don't understand their own policies, b. have absolutely no knowledge about the immigration system and what legal presence is, and c. refuse to speak to a higher authority and admit they were wrong. It's so frustrating!

Glad it worked out in the end!

[Miranda&John 0]

Very glad it worked out for you, darkchilde!

When I came here on a J-1 visa, I got a SSN in my maiden name. When I went to change it to my married name, I was turned away. I came back on VJ, armed myself with their own policies, went back again and had to argue with the manager who eventually put my information in the system and what do you know - it went through.

Then I applied for a California drivers license, went through the whole testing process (written, and behind-the-wheel), was issued a temporary full license (one of those pieces of paper) and was told that my actual license would come in the mail when they confirmed my "legal presence" with DHS. So here we are, over a month later and my status is still apparently "pending legal presence check". I googled it, and apparently people sometimes wait a YEAR for their status to be confirmed, having to extend their temporary license two and three times. What a nightmare!

Edited March 1, 2010 by Miranda&John

[TheCockyLockies 2]

Count me in. I want to vent my own frustrations with the DMV and SSN people.

I was turned down, not twice but 3 times by the DMV here. We were so frustrated that the people behind the counters were not consistent with whatever requirements were needed to show them.

1st visit: We asked what documents do I need to show them to verify my legal presence. They told me that my I-94 was sufficient.

2nd Visit: Showed them my I-94 but it was expired. So I was declined. They could have told me that right from my first visit. They then told me to get a new I-94 (and I told them that you cannot do that). They then said NOAs from my AOS would be good.

3rd visit: Came in with my NOAs and surprise, surprise they turned me down again. They wanted an I-130 NOA. #######! I told them that it does not apply to my situation. But they were persistent that they could not do anything for me.

What made us so angry was that my husband have rushed to get his work done on those days just so he can drive me there.

Last week I received my EAD. Went straight to get my SSN and waited for 45mins to get to talk to someone. The guy behind the counter said I came in too early to apply for an SSN. What's up with that?!? He said that I needed to wait for 10 days (from the date my card was issued) and then show up at the SSN office. As what I understood, it takes 10 days for my name to show up in the SAVE database. Is that true?

So to save us from returning, he copied all my paper works and will re-enter my info today (11h day). I just hope he'll remember and not ovelook my papers.

Just can't win. So frustrating.

[darkchilde794 5]

I think it boils down to the agent and the personnel who goes through your files.

Whoever updated my files at the USCIS level never bothered to update my social security number and now its pending confirmation.

The woman in the MVA in Frederick basically did her job, called things in and sent stuff to confirm my "identity".

The woman at the SSS said that they will inquire about it, but it's been 3 weeks and nothing's been done.

Its all the red tape at the local and federal level, and I guess its the luck of the draw of the local and federal policies in your state. I mean, I dont understand why it happens to some of us and not to others.

TheCockyLockies: Cute name! And god it is hard when you cant drive because the DMV wont give you a frigging license regardless of how legal you are! And have to depend on your husband! And I dont know whether or not it takes 11 days for SAVE to be updated, maybe or maybe not. In my case, my I-485 was transferred early February, my EAD was approved and sent, my AP was approved and sent, and my SAVE file still does not contain any "updates" on my social security number on my married name.

Miranda: I hope you get it soon. If they cant get you a full license or one thats valid for a year, you should insist in getting one under your maiden name at least. I told the MVA person that there's no way they cannot give me a license, I have a job to drive to

KnJ: Maybe its not a big deal in Boston. Certainly was an issue in Maryland and I think thats the problem -- different rules in different states, maybe?

Anyway Ill give the social security another month and see what happens! And yes, I do kind of wish I had insisted my husband take my last name! LOL!

[Danu 19]

Wow, I'm sorry you had so many issues! The SSN office never asked me a question about me changing my name to my married name, they didn't have to look at my SAVE files or anything, because they already did it when I got my original one. My bank did the account without having the updated SSN as well, they just used my marriage cert along with the SSN in my maiden name, and put the account in my married name. I can't however get a DL because of the duration of my I-94 or something so I have to wait for my EAD. Sounds horrible that you are getting so much hassle from the SSN people over it! I don't think I had my NOA1 yet when I got mine changed so its wierd you are so much further ahead and having such issues.

[antda 13]

Hi Darkchilde,

Sorry to hear of your situation dealing with the DMV...

If it makes you feel any better...

It took me 8 weeks to get my first SSN Card, due to immigration verification delays...

Lol..and it took 8 weeks for my son to get his SSN Card too, as they sent it to the wrong address....

It took the USCIS 10 months to approve my 10yr green card...

And my USCIS status still says stuck at "scheduled for interview" even though I've been a US Citizen for a few months now...

Lol..At times like this, I wonder: Why are we telling these government agencies to do their job?

Hope you get that resolved soon and that you can get your driver's license soon...

And I hope too, that you can get a "direct no-testing license transfer", so you don't have to worry about taking any other additional driving tests either...

Good luck with the rest of your journey too.

Ant

Edited March 2, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA