DON’T HAVE A PHOTO ID CARD FOR VOTING?
How can Voters Obtain a Photo ID if They Don’t Have One?
Voters who do not have an acceptable form of photo ID must go to a PennDOT Driver’s License Center and submit an application for a photo ID card (form
DL-54A) (
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/dl_forms/dl-54a.pdf), along with a signed
Oath/ Affirmation (
http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/voterid/VoterAffirmationNoProofofID.pdf) that they don’t have an acceptable form of photo ID and need one in order to vote; and
1. A social security card,
and2. An official birth certificate (with a raised seal), certificate of U.S. citizenship, certificate of naturalization or a valid U.S. passport,
and3. Two proofs of residency, e.g., lease agreement, mortgage documents, W-2 form, tax records or current utility bill
How Can Voters Get a Social Security Card?
Details about getting or replacing your Social Security card can be found by calling the federal Social Security Administration office at 1-800-772-1213 or by going to:
http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/251.
Here is some basic information to know for obtaining a PA social security card:
1. To apply for an original card, you must provide at least two documents to prove age, identity, and U.S. citizenship.
2. An acceptable document must be currently valid and show your name, identifying information (date of birth or age) and preferably a recent photograph. A birth certificate is not a form of identification. As proof of identity, the Social Security Administration office must see one of the following:
a. A U.S. passport
b. A state-issued driver’s license
c. A state-issued non-driver’s ID card.
3. If a voter does not have one of the documents identified in K.2 (above), and cannot get a replacement for one of these within 10 days, Social Security will ask to see one of the following:
a. An employee identification card/badge
b. Health insurance card (not a Medicare card) or Medicaid card
c. U.S. military identification
d. U.S. government identification card
e. Certificate of Naturalization
f. Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
g. U.S. Indian Tribal card (Social Security has to approve this as an acceptable ID)
h. Certified copy of a medical record
i. School identity card, certified record, or transcript (current year)
j. Life insurance policy
4. Obtaining or replacing a Social Security card is free. 5. The Social Security Administration says that processing an application for a Social Security card can take seven to 14 days.
How Can Voters Get a Birth Certificate?
Information on obtaining PA birth certificates is available by calling the PA Department of Health’s Division of Vital Records at 724-656-3100 or by logging onto:
http://www.health.state.pa.us/vitalrecordsIf you were born in another state, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm, to find out how to obtain your birth certificate.
Here is some basic information to know for obtaining a birth certificate in Pennsylvania:
1. Only certain people can request a birth certificate:
a. Person named on the birth certificate, who is 18 years of age or older (if under 18, immediate family member must apply)
b. Legal representative
c. Husband/wife
d. Parent/step-parent*
e. Brother/sister/half-brother/half-sister
f. Son/daughter/stepson*/stepdaughter*
g. Grandparent/great grandparent (specify maternal or paternal)
h. Grandchild/great grandchild
i. Power of Attorney (for person named on birth certificate or immediate family member listed above)
*A step-parent or step-child is required to submit parents' marriage record supporting their relationship.
2. Applications for a PA birth certificate cost $10. There is no fee for individuals who served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces or their dependents.
3. Applications for a PA birth certificate can be requested online, by mail or in person.
4. Applications for a PA birth certificate must include a signature and a copy of a current (unexpired) government-issued photo ID. Applicants who don’t have a valid photo ID can submit two documents verifying their current address, e.g., utility bills, paystubs, bank statements, income tax returns, W-2 forms, car registration and lease/rental agreements.
5. Mailed requests for a PA birth certificate are processed approximately 14 weeks from the date of receipt. Online requests are faster: The normal processing time for UPS delivery (a signature is required) takes approximately 15 to 18 business days or less. If you opt for regular mail delivery, the normal processing time is approximately 25 to 30 business days or less.
6. Voters who want a birth certificate the same day can go to a Division of Vital Records office in Erie, Harrisburg, New Castle, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or Scranton. The offices are listed at
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/birth_certificates/14121. There is a two hour processing time during the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Processing requests made between 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. can take three hours.
7. The Philadelphia Division of Vital Records office is located at 118 North 8th Street, Suite 108, Philadelphia, PA 19107-2412. The phone number is 215-560-3054.