Identity Change: The Process, Pitfalls, and Safety Possibilities

1. Identity Change: The Process, Pitfalls, and Safety Possibilities Colorado Advocacy in Action Conference June 11, 2013

2. Objective: To provide you with…

3. Why Me?The ACP/Identity Change Connection

4. Confidential Address Programs CAN… • Provide survivors with a legal substitute address and mail forwarding • Driver’s license or state ID card • School registration • Banking • Human services applications • Highest level voter registration protection available • Court records and police reports • Specialized utility and cable protections Pretty good, right?

5. Plan A Living with a safety plan and an ACP. Not an easy road.

6. Confidential Address Programs CAN’T • Hide the state where a survivor resides • Hide program participation • Refuse subpoenas or mail • Protect the purchase or title to real property. • Change who you are • Guarantee other people’s work For some, “pretty good” isn’t enough.

7. Plan B Identity change. No comparison.

8. Workshop Overview

9. Can You ReallyChange Your Identity?

10. It’s all about paper. New identity documents are used to create records. New records create a new identity. On paper. But you are still you.

11. U.S.A. Identity Documents:1. State-issued identification card2. Social Security card

12. When is it Time?

13. When These are the Choices.

14. My Questions • Who’s in charge? • Is there a special division that does this work? • Are there different kinds of identity changes? • Do people receiving witness protection services receive preferential treatment? • Which information is automatically connected? • Are debts connected? • Where are the experts? Does anyone else have these questions?

15. The Answers …and my disclaimer

16. The Name Change Process

17. My Name Is…

18. What’s Your Name?

19. Thoughts…

20. Name Change Only

21. Name Change Formshttp://www.courts.state.co.us/

22. Adult Name Change Packet • Name change instructions (JDF 432) • Motion to waive filing fee (JDF 205) • Order concerning fees (JDF 206) • FBI Fingerprint forms and instructions • Petition for Change of Name (JDF 433) • Order for Publication (JDF 426) • Public Notice of Name Change (JDF 427) • Final Decree for Change of Name (JDF 448) • Instructions and form to change birth certificate • CBI fingerprint cards are not included. They must be completed at a law enforcement agency in your county of residence.

23. Child Name Change Packet • Name change instructions (JDF 420) • Petition for name change (JDF 421) • Notice to non-custodial parent (JDF 422) • Consent of non-custodial parent (JDF 423) • Request to provide notice to non-custodial parent by publication (JDF 424) • Notice of publication(JDF 425) • Order for Publication (JDF 426) • Public Notice of Name Change (JDF 427) • Final Decree for Change of Name (JDF 448) • Instructions and form to change birth certificate • Minor children aged 14 and over are required to complete the fingerprint and background check steps.

24. Name Change Process§13-15-101, C.R.S.

25. Name Change Timeline**approximate

26. Caution!

27. Requesting a New Social Security Number

28. Social Security Administration “Our business is benefits.”

29. A Little History 1935 Social Security Act

30. The Woolworth Wallet Story Mrs. Hilda Schrader Whitcher SSN: 078-05-1120

31. What the SSA Wants You to Know

32. Social Security Number Packet • Handout: New Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims • Application for a new Social Security card • Statement of Claimant (form SSA-795) • SSA’s internal process for developing Harassment, Abuse, or Life Endangerment Cases HALE cases • Development for all HALE cases • Evidence Requirements for documenting HALE • Example HALE case

33. Process for Requesting a New Social Security Number New Social Security numbers can be issued if the determination is made that a new number is needed due to harassment, abuse or life endangerment (“HALE”).

34. Process Overview

35. Personal Interviews and Documentation • Personal interviews must be conducted with anyone over the age of twelve. • Each person must bring proof of age, identity, and citizenship. • Birth certificates will establish age. • All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency and must (unless otherwise indicated) have been issued within the last two years. 

36. Proof of Identity U.S. Citizens: • Social Security will ask to see a U.S. driver’s license, a state-issued non-driver identification card or U.S. passport as proof of identity. • Other acceptable documents might include: • An employee ID card; • A school ID card; • A health insurance card (not a Medicare card); • A U.S. military ID card; or • An adoption decree. Non-U.S. Citizens: • Social Security will ask to see current U.S. immigration documents. Acceptable immigration documents: • Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa and unexpired foreign passport); • I-94 with an unexpired foreign passport; or • I-766 (work permit from DHS).

37. Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status U.S. Citizens • The only acceptable documents for proof of U.S. citizenship are a U.S. birth certificate or a U.S. passport. Non-U.S. Citizens • Proving U.S. immigration status, requires the current immigration document, I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued upon arrival in the United States. • F-1 or M-1 students must also show their I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. J-1 or J-2 exchange visitors must show their DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.

38. Evidence Requirements for Documentation of Harassment, Abuse, or Life Endangerment • Preferred: • Police reports that include the result of the investigation • Medical records • Official court documents • Restraining orders • Not preferred, but may be acceptable: • Signed, dated letters or statements • Dated within the last two years. • From family and friends with first-hand knowledge • Not acceptable: • Letters and statements which are over two years old • Just the claimant’s own statement

39. What a Survivor Wants You to Know

40. What a Survivor Wants You to Know

41. Considerations

42. Creative Alternatives

43. The Answers Who’s in charge? Name changes: courts New Social Security numbers: SSA/Central Operations/CSI Is there a special division that does this work? Yes and no. Any office can start the process, but it’s a two-part process that requires approval from Central Operations. Are there different kinds of identity changes? No Do people receiving witness protection services receive preferential treatment? No Which information is “automatically connected?” Social Security and IRS records. No other agencies are notified. Are debts connected? No. They will probably catch up later. Where are the experts? I’m still looking…

44. Success is possible.

45. Questions?

46. Sources and Resources • Interviews: ACP participants who have obtained identity changes, other ACP program directors, witness protection investigators, SSA supervisor (who has been with SSA for 30 years), and the SSA public policy office. • Identity Change Guidelines for Survivors of Domestic Abuse, CCADV. • Question and Answer Session with the SSA, April 27, 2012. NNEDV and Greater Boston Legal Services. • Myths & Realities of Identity Change, Greater Boston Legal Services, NNEDV • New Numbers for Domestic Violence Victims, www.ssa.gov. • Colorado Judicial website: http://www.courts.state.co.us/ • www.ssa.gov for a variety of information. • Relocation Counseling Project: Identity Changes: Practical and Legal Considerations, Christine M. Drukin, Staff Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services. • SSA evidence requirements for completing the HALE process, provided by the SSA. • Resource: Department of Revenue, Investigations Francine Gonzales (303) 205-8382. • Resource: Nicole Tiggeman, SSA Office of Public Affairs, nicole.tiggemann@ssa.gov