• dhork@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    Most states (maybe even all of them by now) offer a non-driver ID, which has just as much validity as ID as a drivers license, but isn’t valid for driving.

    All that ID does is prove residence, though, it doesn’t prove citizenship. Most first-time applicants will also have to submit a birth certificate or other document proving citizenship. The USA has no other national document that proves citizenship. This service is for passport renewals, presumably the first time you apply for a passport you will still need to show up in person, with your documents.

    • NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip
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      2 months ago

      It can be hit or miss with some particularly stupid government workers, but Passport Cards are very much a thing and qualify as Real ID Compliant.

      As a passport it is only valid for like Canada and Mexico but it is well worth the extra 20 or 30 bucks when you get a passport. On travel it is a nice ID that you don’t REALLY care if it gets stolen (since your Driver’s License is back at the hotel). Also incredibly useful when you need multiple forms of ID for something.

      But also would not be a horrible choice as a non-driver ID. Just a hassle to get one without a Driver’s License because 'murica.

    • macarthur_park@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      which has just as much validity as ID as a drivers license

      Only as valid as the government worker thinks it is. I had one of those and the passport office wouldn’t accept it as proof of identity. I wound up having to get a parent with a driver’s license to vouch for me, in addition to providing a ton of extra id like library card, school ids, etc.