Something Is Wrong

I encountered a negative experience at the Downtown Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

I was prepared to go apply for my REAL ID, or so I thought. I had all the documents that were required, but my DD form 214 only had the last four of my SS # visible. In other words, the form was fully complete and valid but showed only my last 4 social security numbers. I had my birth certificate, I had my DD form 214, I had my military ID, I had my passport, I had my bank statement, I had my Utility Bill, I had my Pulaski County Treasurer Real Estate Property Tax Statement 2024, I had my mortgage statement, I even had my valid driver’s license. Wow! I have to say this; I even had myself standing right there in person in front of them. 😉

In fact, all documents had complete verified information that included my SS#, address, and fully verified official seals with pictures of me and my physical presence. And this was still not enough to get my Real Id application processed. Why? I was told that because my DD form 214 had only my last 4 SS# showing, the Arkansas Dept. of Finance and Administration could not process my application for a “Real Id”. I asked about all my other forms of identification and they asked me for (something I hadn’t seen in ages) my Social Security card, the one thing you can use the DD 214 for.

So, I asked to speak with the person in charge and had a very hard time getting that person, Payton, to speak with me. I had to insist and wait for the individual to peek out the door of his area and come down to the center reception area. I had already concluded that this was a lost cause; however, I wanted to see if common sense would prevail. As expected, it did not. The person in charge then told me that because of the state-mandated statute (which he could not name), they would not be able to process my request, regardless of the other fully verifiable documents.

Although the women working the counter were very professional and helpful, they seem to be under strict orders to refuse any person’s documents if the smallest discrepancy was found, no matter how unimportant it may be. This Arkansas Dept. of Finance and Administration location was horrible to deal with, and the supervisor, manager, used no common sense in helping the patrons complete the process. In my opinion, this location and this process are meant to confuse and frustrate people. This process is meant to delay you, deny your application, send you away, and have you return again and again. This is even after you comply with the “what to bring with you document” they provide. They will look for ways to send you away. They over-scrutinize your documents and look for things to deny, rather than the things to approve. Something is wrong here. 😖

Perhaps, my interaction with Payton, the person supposedly in charge, will make a difference, because not only did I show them and him full proof of my identity, I also addressed the purpose they are there is to serve the people and to apply common sense when there is no true reason to deny an application.

However, with that said, my advice is to get your documents in order, no matter what, that is, this situation or something entirely different. Just get your documents in order and secure them in a location that you can get to them when needed. So here is my list, although not complete, it’s a start.

To Do Now List: ⬇

Get your birth certificate/record.

This means doing what you need to do to request and pay for a copy if you don’t have one.

https://www.usa.gov/birth-certificate

No birth certificate and to prove you are a citizen born in the U.S. - Go Here:

https://www.usa.gov/citizenship-no-birth-certificate#:~:text=If%20you%20were%20born%20in,a%20birth%20certificate%20on%20file

Get your Social Security Card and statement

https://www.ssa.gov/

You may have to set up an appointment, go down and apply for your card, and while there, if you are having issues getting logged into your account, get the representative to help you.

Get a utility bill with your name and home address.

If you are in the military, get your DD form 214.

https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/

Get your passport:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/

Get your latest bank statements.

Get a Real ID/Upgrade/Renew your Driver’s License: (Make sure you get your Real ID. I when elsewhere and got mines)

https://www.usa.gov/real-id

(Search for where to go):

https://www.usa.gov/state-motor-vehicle-services

While there, check on or register to vote.

In most cases, you will need either a driver’s license or a state ID to register to vote.

If not allowed, go to the link below and find out how.

https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

Get your education diplomas or certificates.

You know what you need, so get your other important documents too!

This is not an exhaustive list, and you will need to add what extras you may think you need secure.

This is very important. When applying for copies of your documentation, review and ensure all information on your documentation is correct and take all necessary measures to correct errors. Really work to get any errors corrected. I did notice on my appointment to the SS Office that the information they had was close but wrong; my parents’ names had errors and were different from the information on my birth certificate. Hmm, could this be by design. In other words, is someone or something messing with our personal Social Security data? So really check and make sure you correct any misspelling or other errors you see.

This is not about Real ID, it’s about - Getting your documents in order! In my opinion, we must not allow roadblocks to stop our progress, with truly unnecessary processes put in place to ensure we get frustrated, confused, and delayed. All in an effort to deny service, entry, access, and fair consideration. We must have our (sh**) stuff in order - “PAPERS” if you will. We must ensure we are in a strong position to overcome the restraints and resistance placed on inclusion, diversity, and equality for all people. Start by getting your “PAPERS” in order, the way things are going, we may need them now more than ever.

Stanley

Feel free to share this post with others and feel free to write about an experience you had, good or bad, with a company or agency too. I may just help someone out...