<p>Prior to leaving for college, I applied for a state identification through the DMV. After paying the processing fee and having my picture taken, the representative told me it would take me 3-4 weeks before I received my identification card.</p>
<p>About three and half weeks went by with no sign of my identification card. I let another three days go by before I called the customer service line. They went ahead and informed me that it would take anywhere from 90-120 days before I received my identification card.</p>
<p>I was irrate and asked why the precessing period was taking so long. After I finally got hold of someone who knew what they were taking about, I was informed that my request for a state identification would have to get INS verification because of the fact I was born outside the United States. I told them that I was a naturalized citizen but they said anyone born outside the United States must go through additional verification through the INS even if they are a citizen.</p>
<p>So my question is, has anybody gone through this process? Whether it may be a state I.D. or driver license, how long did it end up taking for you to get your ID/License?</p>
<p>The information I give you will probably add fuel to your fire. </p>
<p>Monday morning (last week) my D applied for her state ID card. She paid the fee, had her picture taken and was told 3-4 weeks waiting time. Thursday afternoon (exactly 3 1/2 days later) her ID was in our mailbox.</p>
<p>When you say that you are a “naturalized citizen,” you mean that you were not born a citizen of the US but you took the citizenship test and jumped through all of the hoops and became a citizen, right?</p>
<p>Because I was born outside of the US, but I was born a US citizen–dad serving in the military. I’ve never had to be checked out by the INS to get a driver’s license. But then I got my original CA license way before 9/11.</p>
<p>When I say “naturalized citizen” am speaking of an individual who was born outside the United States (whose parents are not U.S. citizens), immigrates to the U.S. and resides there as an alien/immigrant/green card holder. Then fulfilling the requirements to become a U.S. citizen by taken a test and filling necessary paperwork.</p>
<p>I think if you already have identification from your state- you really don’t need specific ID from the state your college is in.
My D didn’t have that anyway. However, she did have her college ID card, and that permitted her to get a local library card etc.</p>
<p>EK–Sounds like he’s a California resident who is going out of CA for his college.
He’ll definitely need some sort of ID, especially if he needs to get on a plane at any time. I don’t know if college ID is sufficient to get someone 18 and over past airport security.</p>
<p>I guess one could use a US passport until the CA ID comes…</p>
<p>Another political issue that may be leading to an INS check of new CA ID applicants who are naturalized is the whole illegal immigration mess in CA. The issue of illegal immigrants being able to get driver’s licenses is a real hot button topic. </p>
<p>yes I just figured that out
I think a passport would suffice, and may even be preferred- but really what were you thinking waiting until right before you left for college to get a US govt official document?</p>
<p>Personally, I am glad that they are checking people out- isn’t that what we want them to do?</p>
<p>I think what is irratating is that the DMV, as well as other institutions, don’t give full information, or post it clearly, so you can plan</p>
<p>If you KNOW its going to take so long, you can plan for it and be aware, but for people who work there not to know some thing so basic is very frustrating…</p>
<p>emeraldkity, I have a certificate of naturalization and it has worked out fine up until now. The only reason I am uptight about getting my identification card is because I would PERSONALLY want to have it before I head out to college and the extended wait time is agitating me (I’m not the patient type)</p>
<p>Luckily, the situation is not as bad as it’s being painted. I am a California resident and reside in San Diego and I am going to school at UCLA. So luckily I don’t need to get on a plane for transportation needs</p>
<p>It’s just so frustrating that public agency like the DMV and especially their representatives don’t know what they are talking about. All they did was feed me BS. I called earlier this mourning and I got a timetable as to when I should get me ID card, the lady I spoke to was from the DMV headquarters in Sacramento and she said I should receive my ID no later then October.</p>
<p>I know it may seem like a long wait but I guess that is how things are now a days.</p>
<p>DanielHargos, one possibility is that your name could be identical, or similar, to someone who is on one of the OFAC, SDN, or Denied Parties list. OR someone with your same name could be on an enforcement list coming from your country of origin. If so, your application will raise red flags, and will be stalled a few times along the way. It’s not all that unusual, there are DHS investigators who have the same names as Mendellin cartel members, and when they must travel to Latin America they get stopped and held all along the way. Stuck in their own glue so to speak. </p>
<p>To check to see if that is a possibility, look through some of the lists of names from this link:</p>
<p>Get used to it…I’ve been living in CA for 30 years (SD County for the past 17). You learn patience and the DMV in particular is a good teacher! (Actually, they are no better or worse than any other governmental agency. Finding a person who knows the exact info you need to know is always a challenge.)</p>
<p>Glad you don’t need to get on a plane, but it is still nice to have a CA ID. Not much you can do now but take a deep breath and worry about things you can do something about–like packing for college.</p>
<p>I get your frustration, Daniel. My mother-in-law is 86 years old and had trouble getting through airport security last year because her driver’s license had expired (she doesn’t drive anymore) and they don’t want to accept it as an id in the airport security lines.</p>
<p>So, my poor sister-in-law started in on the seemingly simple task of getting MIL a state ID card. Sheesh. Took months and months. Among other absurdities, when presented with her marriage license as one of the two documents proving who she is, they wanted the Application for Marriage License instead. This for a woman who was married 54 years ago! Who has that?!? But she had to send back to the state where she was married and have them dig into their archives to find it.</p>
<p>Okay, I get that Homeland Security is “Hi, I’m from the Government. I’m hear to protect you.” But enough is enough. Methinks they are sometimes focused on the wrong details?</p>
<p>P.S. MIL is a born and raised US citizen, certified WASP with a name and looks to match. Can no longer swat a fly. And California is not one of the states involved.</p>
<p>The system is messed up if you ask me. There making people who pose the smallest threat to airport security and individuals like me, who have no intentions of falsifying their submitted identification information suffer the most in terms of wait time.</p>
<p>I can only imagine how time consuming and infuriating it must be to have your 86 year old mother-in-law go through all this.</p>
<p>I am going to wait it out but if I honestly don’t get anything within the coming month then I am going to the DMV and speak with the manager. And believe me, I will get some definitive answers as to when I am getting my ID card.</p>
<p>Looking in all the wrong places. Queado can make any documents you want, cheap too if you can wait a week or two, otherwise rush jobs will cost what ever you think is affordable. </p>
<p>The Undocumented Immigrants don’t seem to have any trouble.</p>