I post this here because it's hitting women

[pat_k]

6. I can't get a real ID until I file for a legal name change.

I won't be flying anywhere anytime soon.

My step father never legally adopted my sister and i but we've used his last name from the time I was about 5. My mom got us social security cards in his name. I have an affidavit from my mom, now deceased, that I used to get a driver's license when NJ tightened ID regs after 9/11. That doesn't fly to connect birth name to all other ID these days. I have to file a petition for a name change. The fee is $200, but that's not the biggest problem. The problem is the process. The simplest way is to show up with cash at the county courthouse on one of the two mornings the do name changes, and then wait til you are called -- which can take anywhere from about two to five hours. The longer process of filing by mail still requires a court appearance, but you don't have control over when that might be. And with the whole Real ID crap, they have been kind of inundated with people who are up against some "name match" problem. These days I run a solo dog walking business and clearing my midday schedule is very, very, challenging, not to mention the loss of income.

So, I'm resigned not to even try filing -- or flying- until the courts aren't as backed up.