By Brooks Baehr - bio | email
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Beginning in March people applying for a new Hawaii driver's license or renewing an old license will first have to provide never before required documents to prove their identity and that they are in the United States legally. The additional documents are expected to slow down what can already be a slow license application process.
People are encouraged to educate themselves on the new law before it goes into effect March 5, 2012.
Follow the link below to learn more about the law.
http://hawaii.gov/dot/news/state-to-implement-legal-presence-act-requirements-for-hawaii-driver-licenses-in-march
All applicants will have to provide either an active duty military ID card or a valid Social Security card.
Social Security cards can be acquired in person at the Federal Building at 300 Ala Moana Boulevard or online at the link below.
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
Most driver's license applicants will be able to demonstrate they are in the United States legally by providing a valid birth certificate or a U.S. passport.
The easiest way to get a Hawaii birth certificate is online.
"We developed the online system for the convenience of people. That is, they don't have to stand in line. They don't have to park downtown. They can go on their computer. Order online. Pay by credit card and receive their certificate by mail," said Alvin Onaka, State Registrar of Vital Statistics.
Click the following link for more information on Hawaii birth certificates.
https://www.ehawaii.gov/doh/vitrec/exe/vitrec.cgi
"If you're a foreign born and then a naturalized US citizen there's all sorts of different requirements out there that you're going to need," said Department of Transportation Spokesperson Dan Meisenzahl. (A list of those documents in provided in the first link in this story.)
Kaimuki resident Emily Markee and her friend Darlene Kaniho from Papakolea renewed their driver licenses Monday to avoid the rush.
"In March it's going to be crazy," Kaniho said.
"Chaos, because people are going to come here unprepared," Markee added.
They advise people applying for licenses after March 5 begin to get their documents in order now. "People have to get their documents, and they really should get it now, start getting it now, because it takes time to go through the mail," Kaniho said.
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