{"id":425,"date":"2023-08-29T10:23:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T10:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voteriders.org\/?p=425"},"modified":"2025-01-10T17:57:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T17:57:41","slug":"how-to-replace-voter-id-after-a-disaster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voteriders.org\/how-to-replace-voter-id-after-a-disaster\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Replace ID After A Disaster"},"content":{"rendered":"

BY ERIN CARDEN & JESSICA MEZA, VOTERIDERS<\/p>\n

Our staff and many wonderful volunteers<\/a> <\/em>are available to help people replace lost or damaged documents, make DMV appointments, and obtain the IDs they need to vote in every election.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

To prepare for a hurricane or another natural disaster, we strongly recommend that you<\/em> take a picture of your ID documents and keep them in a safe space where they won’t get damaged. Keeping all of your important documents in one place \u2014 like a folder \u2014 makes them easy to grab and go in an emergency. Evacuating your home quickly can be extremely stressful, so having your essential documents ready at a moment’s notice can help make a challenging situation more manageable.
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Losing your ID documents in a disaster like a fire, flood, or hurricane can feel like a massive burden after what can already be an unbearably stressful event. Suddenly, you’re faced with the daunting task of replacing vital ID documents, which are essential for managing your finances, enrolling in school, dealing with insurance, and in over two-thirds of states: voting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re required to show identification to replace identification, it can feel like you\u2019re caught in a frustrating nightmare. But there\u2019s something that can help alleviate this stress: VoteRiders has experts on hand \u2014 including pro bono lawyers \u2014 who are ready to help you get the ID you need not only to participate in democracy but also to <\/span>survive<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

First things first: If you need support, call or text our Helpline at 866-432-8683 or reach out through our <\/span>website<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep in mind<\/b>: If you can\u2019t receive mail at your current address, <\/span>contact<\/a> your local Post Office <\/span>and ask that they either hold your mail or forward it to a new address or PO Box. Most replacement documents will be mailed to you, so it\u2019s <\/span>crucial<\/span> to make sure they\u2019re delivered to a valid address!<\/span><\/p>\n

C<\/span>ompile an inventory of any forms of identification you DO have. Even if they don\u2019t seem useful \u2014 things like letters from government agencies with your name and new address can be helpful! Here\u2019s a quick guide on how to replace a few key documents:<\/span><\/p>\n

Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce, Adoption, and Legal Change-of-name Certificates:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a US-born citizen,<\/span> contact <\/span>the vital records office<\/span><\/a> in the state where you were born. They should be able to guide you through the process of how to obtain the documents you need, including any required fees or ID. In most states, a lawyer can submit an application for a certified copy of your vital documents for you \u2014 they would just need to submit the request along with a copy of their photo ID.<\/span><\/p>\n

Social Security Card<\/b>:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Applying for a replacement copy of your Social Security card is a good first step if you\u2019ve lost or damaged your driver\u2019s license or state ID. Here\u2019s what you\u2019ll need to do:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n