JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With the May 7 deadline approaching to obtain a REAL ID, one Jacksonville woman urged others not to wait until the last minute.
Diane Marie Gallant told News4JAX she has been struggling to secure her new REAL ID driver’s license for a while. She has submitted numerous documents and paperwork, but has not yet succeeded.
“I feel defeated,” Gallant said.
Gallant said the main issue is that she lost her original birth certificate and has been having trouble obtaining a copy that matches the information on her twin brother’s birth certificate.
To obtain a REAL ID, applicants must provide several documents, including a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, and a Consular Report of Birth Abroad.
A complete list of documents needed can be found here.
“We were both born on the same day, report of birth abroad a citizen of the United States of America. So I know that if he’s an American citizen, so am I,” Gallant said.
Gallant was born in 1967 at the U.S. Naval Station Argentia in Newfoundland, Canada.
It’s where her father worked.
She has an article clipping from that year showing a photo of her and her brother with their parents, stating they were born at the station hospital. The article noted, “The twins David and Diane are their third and fourth child born at this hospital.”
Despite that evidence, Gallant has been unable to produce the necessary records to confirm her American citizenship.
After contacting the American consulate, she received a letter stating, “A thorough search of our files, based upon the information provided, failed to locate a record of the birth.”
“I’m in a pickle, I guess you can say. But I’m trying to be positive each and every day,” Gallant said. “Nothing is being resolved at this point, and it’s scary to tell you the truth.”
After having no luck with the DMV, Gallant has reached out to senators and the White House for assistance.
She remains hopeful for a response.
Because of everything Gallant is going through trying to get an ID, she wants people who haven’t gone to get a new one to go now. That way, if there is a problem like hers, people can have time to make calls and try to figure out what’s wrong.
MORE | Answering your questions about becoming Real ID compliant
In response to Gallant’s situation, the Duval County Tax Collector’s office advised anyone facing similar issues to reach out via email at taxcollector@coj.net.
They encouraged individuals to include specific details about their problems so they can assist in resolving them.
“I feel like I am a criminal right now, and I’m not. I’m doing everything I can possibly do,” Gallant said.
Gallant said she plans to continue reaching out for help in resolving her issue with obtaining a REAL ID.
The Tax Collector’s office also mentioned that if emailing is not an option, individuals can call their call center at 904-255-5700.
