I have officially changed my name and it was not as easy as
everyone says it is. Well it was not exactly difficult, but the amount of time
I had to spend in various offices waiting was a little ridiculous. I started at
the Social Security Office. The form was available online and the information
was pretty simple. I figured I would just go first thing one morning because
the appointments were too far out and my work schedule was a little hectic. I
had to wait outside for about half an hour until it was my turn to go inside.
Once inside, I was called almost immediately to check in. Basically someone reviewed
my paperwork to make sure I was prepared so I would not waste my time. I appreciated
that. It only took another 15 minutes or so until I was called and a few
minutes later I was done. My new social security card would arrive in the mail
in 2 weeks.
The DMV was not as simple. The form was not available online
so I had to go in and hope I had all the right papers with me. Now, I have not
been to a DMV since I was 16. I always renew by mail for my driver’s license and
go to AAA for car registrations. To say the DMV was depressing is an
understatement. When I arrived I looked around for forms. I asked one of the
security guards where the forms were and he pointed me to a corner of trash.
TRASH! There were no forms at all! I decided to get in line to ask since the
security guard was less than helpful. When it was my turn, I told the man why I
was there and he gave me a form. He said I could not get back in line until the
form was complete. I complete the form, get back in line, and am given a
number. Why could I not get my number when I got the form? I had more than enough
time to complete my form while I waited. I should also mention that I had not
eaten lunch and was starting to get very hungry. I waited and waited, walked
around, sat down, used the disgustingly dirty bathroom, and waited some more.
After 90 minutes of waiting, it was finally close to my turn. I was starting to
feel light headed from the hunger and could not wait to get out of there!
Finally, I was called! I walked up to the station I was assigned to and handed
over my papers. After clicking her keyboard for a few minutes, that was it. She
punched a hole in my old driver’s license, handed me my temporary paper license
and told me to go get my picture taken. This is only the second DMV picture I have
ever taken. It came out ok, but it is not my best picture. I just hope I can
renew online next time so I do not have to go back to the DMV for another 12
years at least!
Another little part of this adventure, after the DMV I swung
by Costco and could not buy beer because there was a hole in the expiration
date of my license and I put the paper I got at the DMV in the glove box
because that’s where all my DMV papers are.
Now I can start on the long list of credit cards, accounts,
bank, and various other places that I need to update my name. Hopefully it is a
little easier than the DMV.
