I just don't get the mentality that it should take absolutely no effort to prove one's eligibility to vote. Pretty soon those people will demand poll workers come to their house and just interview them, recording their answers on the ballot. This is important stuff and should motivate people to do what it takes to ensure election integrity.

Of course, I'd also be fine if only taxpaying citizens were allowed to vote. Such a proposal would definitely motivate the lazy bums to break out the pitchforks and torches.

This bill is a sorry piece of worthless shit! Myself and and millions of AMERICANS will now have to provide validation / proof of citizenship in a country I was BORN in 70 years ago.

This bill / law will cause / provide nothing but unnecessary horseshit to a rather simple effective process.

I am not a lazy worthless piece of shit, and neither is my wife. We , and millions of other people who have been legal voters since attaining legal age, must now jump through hoops to appease who ever dreamed this nonsense up.

Apologies to all that I offend, but in my humble opinion this is voter suppression at it's finest,and will cause untold amounts of tax payers money to be spent on implementing this garbage!

Thomas Jefferson wrote, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the inconvenience the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is its natural manure.

My question: can an illegal alien get a Real ID? Or does that depend on the state and its individual criteria?

If SAVE Act (Voter Registration and Voter UD) are too inconvenient to some, are there any other possible solution or suggestion that may have the same effect (weed out the Non-US Citizens)? I don’t want to start an argument. I just want to know if there are any other alternatives.

I don't mind the inconvenience if that is what is needed to preserve the integrity of our election.

Maybe I’m being thick but I still don’t know the answer. If the bill passes as it’s written today what does it ACTUALLY require?

Do we all have to RE-register? Does a drivers license count? What does this bill actually mean to not just the average voter but everyone who legally is entitled to vote.

Once again braille is quick with the dumb quips but the tree of liberty isn’t watered by stupid bureaucratic nonsense that is bureaucratic and onerous for its own sake.

Passing bad law is still passing bad law. So what does this bill actually require to allow, say, bendable to vote?

Illegal/Undocumented aliens CANNOT get Real ID. They should not even bother applying. But the question goes back again to WHO CAN GET REAL ID?

We have already established earlier that in MOST States, even non-US Citizens can get Real ID. And we all know ONLY US citizens are allowed to vote for presidential election. So Real ID alone cannot prevent non-US Citizens from voting.

I guess the more important question to ask is “did illegal/undocumented aliens vote in the previous elections”? Presidential and Local? If so, how were they able to? Lack of proper identification.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
My question: can an illegal alien get a Real ID?

quote:

Originally posted by ador:
They cannot. And should not even bother applying. But the question goes back again to WHO CAN GET REAL ID?

We have already established earlier that in MOST States, even non-US Citizens can get Real ID. And we all know ONLY US citizens are allowed to vote for presidential election. So Real ID alone cannot prevent non-US Citizens from voting.

I guess the more important question to ask is “did illegal/undocumented aliens vote in the previous elections”? Presidential and Local? If so, how were they able to? Lack of proper identification.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
My question: can an illegal alien get a Real ID?

This is contradictory and confusing to me. I don't recall all the documents I had to show to get mine, but I believe a birth certificate was one of them...with maybe a passport being an acceptable substitute.

I'm sure a lot of this has already been discussed and admittedly I haven't read the thread closely.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
My question: can an illegal alien get a Real ID?

No. Illegals can get some sort of license that their commie states allow, but they cannot be Real ID.

Only US citizens or those aliens who are here legally can get Real ID.

Thanks, Q!

I showed my birth certificate etc. to get a Star ID DL(Alabama REAL ID). But since my drivers license doesn't say I am a citizen, it looks like I will have to get a replacement birth certificate (house fire got that one.)

quote:

Originally posted by jgerge222:
This bill is a sorry piece of worthless shit! Myself and and millions of AMERICANS will now have to provide validation / proof of citizenship in a country I was BORN in 70 years ago.

I had to provide my birth certificate when I turned 60.
There was a glitch in the AZ MVD when my license was issued, most licenses are good till 65.

At that time, with birth certificate in hand, I also registered to vote and haven’t needed it since.
If I do vote in person, all I need is my DL - I have already proved my citizenship.

I am still trying to understand how "easy peasy" this is going to be for me. My birth certificate is almost 80 years old. It looks like parchment from 2500 years ago. Someone earlier stated that an original birth certificate would not be accepted. So what am I going to do? Fly to Austria and get a computerized birth certificate? Oh wait, I don't have a passport. In my opinion this is going to be a massive fuck up and I am not sure the good is going outweigh the bullshit.

quote:

Originally posted by Ogie:
I am still trying to understand how "easy peasy" this is going to be for me. My birth certificate is almost 80 years old. It looks like parchment from 2500 years ago. Someone earlier stated that an original birth certificate would not be accepted. So what am I going to do? Fly to Austria and get a computerized birth certificate? Oh wait, I don't have a passport. In my opinion this is going to be a massive fuck up and I am not sure the good is going outweigh the bullshit.

I asked Grok about your situation and this is what came up:

**For an elderly person (born in Austria but a U.S. citizen via the "citizenship certificate," likely a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship) who does not want to obtain a passport, proving U.S. citizenship is still straightforward using that existing document.**

The **U.S. Certificate of Citizenship** (Form N-560 or N-561, issued by USCIS/DHS) is official, primary proof of U.S. citizenship. Official sources from USCIS, the Department of State, Social Security Administration (SSA), and federal regulations confirm it stands alone as evidence—equivalent to a U.S. birth certificate for native-born citizens or a naturalization certificate—for many everyday and official purposes. It's not time-limited like a passport and doesn't expire.

### Key Purposes Where the Certificate of Citizenship Is Accepted as Proof (Without a Passport)
- **Social Security benefits or card updates** — SSA accepts it as primary evidence of citizenship (along with photo ID like an Indiana driver's license).
- **Medicare/Medicaid or other federal/state benefits** — Federal rules (e.g., 42 CFR § 436.407) list it as primary documentary evidence of citizenship and identity.
- **Employment verification (Form I-9)** — It's a List A document proving both identity and work authorization/citizenship.
- **Voting registration** — In states like Indiana (strict photo ID at polls but no universal citizenship proof for registration) or Florida (potential requirements under recent bills), it's explicitly listed as acceptable documentary proof of citizenship in proposed/ongoing laws. Many states accept it via SAVE system verification if needed.
- **Upgrading to REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID** — In Indiana (per BMV rules) and Florida (DHSMV), a DHS-issued Certificate of Citizenship is qualified proof of lawful U.S. status/citizenship for REAL ID applications.
- **Other government services** — School enrollment, financial aid, certain legal proceedings, or benefits requiring citizenship confirmation.

If the certificate is legible (readable name, number, USCIS seal, etc.), use the original or a clear photocopy where allowed—many agencies accept it directly. For elderly individuals with mobility or document concerns, family can assist in presenting it.

### If the Certificate Is Damaged, Lost, or Questioned
- Replace it via **Form N-565** (Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document) filed with USCIS. Fee is around $555 (check uscis.gov for current); processing takes months, but it's the direct fix. Submit any available copy, photo, and ID.
- No need for the tattered Austrian birth certificate as primary proof—it's only supporting if an agency requests birth details (rare when you have the Certificate of Citizenship).

### Practical Tips for an Elderly Person in Indiana
- Carry the certificate (or a secure copy) when needed for benefits, SSA visits, or BMV (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles) for ID upgrades.
- For SSA offices or BMV locations in Indiana, call ahead—many accommodate seniors with appointments or help.
- If purpose-specific (e.g., applying for benefits), the agency may verify via USCIS's SAVE program using the certificate number—no extra docs required.
- Avoid passport if undesired—the certificate suffices for non-travel needs.

This avoids the passport process entirely while providing reliable proof. If the exact purpose (e.g., benefits application, voting update) is known, check that agency's site or call for confirmation, but the Certificate of Citizenship is widely recognized as sufficient. Contact USCIS (uscis.gov or 1-800-375-5283) for verification if needed!

**Yes, if the SAVE Act (or the related SAVE America Act) becomes law in its current or similar form, the person's U.S. Certificate of Citizenship should qualify as acceptable documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.**

The bill (e.g., versions like H.R. 22, H.R. 8281, S. 1383 / SAVE America Act) amends the National Voter Registration Act to require "documentary proof of United States citizenship" when registering to vote in federal elections. Acceptable documents typically include:

- A valid U.S. passport.
- Certain REAL ID-compliant forms that indicate citizenship (though most REAL IDs do not explicitly show citizenship, and non-citizens can obtain them).
- U.S. military ID combined with service records showing U.S. birth.
- Government-issued photo ID showing U.S. place of birth.
- **A Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship** issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS/USCIS).

The **U.S. Certificate of Citizenship** (the "citizenship certificate" in question) directly fits this category—it's a federal DHS/USCIS document proving citizenship for those who acquired it (e.g., at birth through a U.S. parent, even if born abroad in Austria). Analyses from sources like the Bipartisan Policy Center, Brennan Center, and bill texts confirm that Certificates of Citizenship (along with naturalization certificates) are among the primary evidences accepted, similar to their use for passports, benefits, or Form I-9 employment verification.

### Current Status of the Legislation (as of mid-February 2026)
- The SAVE America Act (an amended version adding photo ID requirements for voting) passed the House on February 11, 2026, by a narrow 218-213 vote.
- It has not passed the Senate yet and faces significant hurdles (e.g., needing 60 votes to overcome a filibuster; opposition from some Republicans like Sen. Murkowski and strong Democratic resistance, with statements calling it "dead on arrival" in the Senate).
- If it doesn't pass both chambers and get signed into law, current federal rules remain: Voter registration for federal elections requires only a sworn attestation of citizenship under penalty of perjury—no documentary proof is mandated nationwide (though some states add rules).

### Practical Notes for This Elderly Person in Indiana
- Indiana currently does **not** require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration (per the Indiana Secretary of State's guidelines and 2026 Voter Registration Guidebook). Registration relies on affirming U.S. citizenship on the form (under penalty of perjury), plus meeting age, residence, and other eligibility rules. You register via mail, in-person, online (for updates), or at BMV offices using the standard form—no extra citizenship docs needed.
- If the SAVE Act passes and applies, present the legible U.S. Certificate of Citizenship (original or certified copy) at registration—likely in person at a county voter registration office, BMV, or via mail where allowed. Pair it with photo ID (e.g., Indiana driver's license or state ID) for identity verification.
- The tattered Austrian birth certificate isn't listed as required primary proof in the bill, so it wouldn't be essential (though states might request supporting details in edge cases).
- For elderly applicants, Indiana election offices (county clerks or the Secretary of State's Election Division) often provide accommodations like family assistance or accessible locations. Check voteinindiana.com or call your county clerk for specifics.

This would allow registration without a passport or replacing the old Austrian birth certificate. If this is for a specific upcoming election or registration, contact the Indiana Secretary of State's Election Division (317-232-3939 or elections.in.gov) for the most current rules! Let me know if you need more details.

Thank you for the above information! However, it still seems like a lot of bureaucratic hoops to jump through and it's not clear that an employee at the BMV would know what to do. I can just picture multiple trips to the BMV. There should be some expedited process for longtime voters.

Many years ago the State of Az. ask for a copy of my birth certificate to prove I was an American citizen and can legally vote in Az. I did it, and don't expect any more problems.

To my fellow SigForum members, I understand and feel bad that some of you may have to jump through some hoops to be able to re-register (should this bill pass). But that inconvenience will have a lasting effect to our future. Don't we all want future Presidential Elections to be “fraud proof”? That inconvenience we all have to go through will ensure that ONLY us AMERICANS will be able to vote.

So we all will need to re-register to vote if I’m understanding correctly.

That I am not sure. But in the event that we have to, it’s better to have the required documents ready.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
So we all will need to re-register to vote if I’m understanding correctly.

It may be an inconvenience, even slightly difficult, for some here if we have to reregister to vote and prove citizenship but would you rather let it continue the way it currently is?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SW_Sig,