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Obtaining legal documents a burden to Coloradans

Monday, November 5 at 12:00 AM

This Speakout has not been edited.

By Wendy Stelle

After reading the article about Governor Ritter’s proposed motor vehicle wait refund, I think it would be more relevant for lawmakers to focus on the larger picture of obtaining legal documents and how they relate to one another.

For instance, I got married this past July and was at the mercy of several factors:

1. Cost — Why does it cost more than Twice as much to change my driver’s license to my new name than it does to get a Marriage Certificate? The state penalizes brides but not grooms? Make the driver’s license an affordable $10 because it is an absolute necessity. (Considering the high cost and social impact of divorce, municipalities should charge at least $100 to require a couple to be less frivolous about their impending union.)

2. Wait of receiving it in the mail — I couldn’t look for a job until I got my changed Social Security card; and I couldn’t change my Social Security Card (and other accounts) until I got my updated driver’s license. It took two weeks Each to get my license and SSC.

Two years ago, I had to change my address in a different county and was able to walk out with a new license in 10 minutes. In this age of instant digital photography, there’s got to be a way to process things quicker. (If state workers can figure out a way to scam for World Series tickets, then the geeks can work on issuing I.D.’s)

3. Different locations for everything — Why can’t all the processes be handled in each place?
This was the frustrating waste of time; driving to three different locations, standing in three different lines and then waiting a month to get my life back to functional.

The need for bureaus to be open extended hours and days is valid. Surely the state is making enough on the vast array of ugly, un-standard license plates to hire more clerks.

Another concern I have about driver’s licenses — in regards to identity theft — is merchants swiping the black bar on the back through the store’s code reader when I write a check for shopping. I’ve been told that this bar contains social security numbers and driving records. When I e-mailed a major corporation about it, their response was that “It helps determine which customers we accept checks from” A.) They are practicing discrimination and B.) They do not need to know my driving record or other sensitive data. Please encourage clerks to stop this practice. Coloradans have been assured that their photos and fingerprints would not be sold to a national database. It’s unethical for retailers to override state guidelines and harvest this information for free.

For Governor Ritter or his staff to imply that government employees do not do their job efficiently (and for such statements to be published) is insulting.

To imply that Colorado taxpayers would accept a trite taxable refund for one small aspect of a larger process is disrespectful. Since We elected (hired) these legislators, we need to see them execute a statewide overhaul for more efficient, standardized and secure procedures that would benefit and protect all residents well into the future.

Wendy Stelle is a resident of Westminster.

READER COMMENTS

Regarding Mary's comment about the state of Colorado selling personal information - You should check with the credit bureaus before you assume that it is the state of Colorado selling the information. Unless you 'opt out' the credit agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, etc...) can sell your information as they please. Once this information gets out to one company, it can be sold again and again. So do yourself a favor and don't assume that your info was sold by the state when it was probably from your credit report.

Posted by Cori on November 5, 2007 04:09 PM

This is so typical of any government agency, be it state or federal, they care nothing at all about the individual or the individuals privacy or rights, just so long as they can make some money off of the issue.
I will never, ever give my license to a retailer to be swiped in their database.
Especially in this day and age where hackers are able to access everything these big businesses have in their data bases.
And as usual, state and federal governments don't care as long as they make a profit of some kind.

Posted by J W on November 5, 2007 08:36 AM

Better idea. Just don't get married or don't change your name. It's none of the states business about your consenting adult relationships.

Posted by RS on November 5, 2007 06:41 AM

Here's a tip - Colorado has at the very least been selling your name & address information 9for years if not decades). Proof? I have a friend who only uses his full name on his driver's license, while everything else is issued in his "nickname" (think Robert vs Bob or James vs Jim) - so he knows when he gets junk mail addressed to his full first name that the state has sold it - AGAIN! He didn't voluntarily ask the state to sell that information - did you?

Posted by Mary on November 5, 2007 04:14 AM

Wendy Stelle should be aware the cost of the name change on a driver license is related to the cost of the paperwork. Should I be forced to chip in to subsidize the change?

I am sorry you felt it was necessary to wait for the changed documents prior to seeking employment. You were given poor advice. All you need to do was add a copy of the marriage license to your documents (or simply apply under your maiden name and change after employment).

One place for everything? No cities, counties or states? Just one massive federal unit? Is this really what you want just to make your life a little easier to change your name everywhere? Would this one place include not just government, but also your banks, debtors, business contacts, relatives, amd friends?

You have a problem with using your driver license as ID for check writing? Do not write checks at those stores. Simple solution. Your act is voluntary and certainly not part of a government process. Retailers are not overriding government policy, but they are certainly operating in their own self interest. What do you think is in your credit data base that is referenced for a credit card, auto loan, or to open a bank account? Yes, your driver license and a great deal of other personal data is included. All provided by you voluntarily over time.

Posted by David Anderson on November 5, 2007 01:05 AM