Renewing My Driver's License (or Keeping Better Files)

One week from today is my birthday, which meant that my driver's license would expire that day. Several weeks ago I received notice from the Wyoming Department of Motor Vehicles that I could renew my license by mail.

I thought that was great! I filled out the paperwork, wrote out the check, photocopied the documents they wanted (proof of residence), and was ready to seal the envelope. Then I realized that I needed the vision capability evidence. My eye doctors are in Rapid City, 150 miles away, so having them fill out the form was not practical.

Therefore, I took the documents and the form and the check and went in person to the local Driver's License office. There I learned that under the new Federal rules I would have to have a lot more documentation. I needed my social security card, my birth certificate, and my marriage certificate, as well as the two forms of proof of where I live. Having a current driver's license didn't make any difference. So, back home I came and began the search for my birth certificate and marriage certificate. I wasn't even sure I had a copy of my marriage certificate. They required it because of the name change from my birth certificate to my social security card (which happened 45 years ago).

After a good deal of searching, I finally did find the marriage certificate. I had gotten the certified copy after Jerry's death, when I needed it for getting my Social Security allotment sorted out. Not being in a real normal state of mind at that time, I had forgotten about doing that. I was searching for an original copy, which I don't think we ever had, or, if we did, I used it to change my Social Security information and get a new card in my married name. After 45 years, memory gets a little vague about those kinds of details. Anyway, during my search I found a certified copy in a file with the death certificate.

So--finally, Anne Marie and I went back to the DMV and I got my renewal.

I am going to file these important papers a little more logically and clearly!