Hacker News Reader

Comment by outworlder | Hacker News Reader

> Not having to call the cops to tell them I moved to that their records are up to date and so that they can come to my place of residence to see whether I actually live there is a breath of fresh air.

Eh. In most states you are required to get a new DL if you move. So, in fact, you have to tell the state where you live.

Whereas with a national ID, that wouldn't be tied to a place of residence.

View on HN

> Whereas with a national ID, that wouldn’t be tied to a place of residence.

Why would you assume that? our current substitute for a national ID (state issued ID compliant with the federal REAL ID Act) requires current address, and has higher standards for proof of address than many pre-REAL ID state IDs did.

My passport and global entry card do not require a physical address. Just give me a US version of Estonia’s identity smart card and make it work with Login.gov.

Can't reply to toomuchtodo so dropping this here; your passport is tied to your address via your SSN which is tied to tax returns. They frankly probably know where you live better than the state you reside in. I know lots of people that haven't updated the address on their driver's license, but I don't know anyone that gives the IRS an incorrect address.

Not everyone files a tax return.

> your passport is tied to your address via your SSN which is tied to tax returns.

Not really. I file my tax return and the address isn't where I live. It doesn't have to be, it's a mailing address.

The State licenses I have seen have two blank lines on back upon which someone who gets a different address simply writes the new address.

If you just get a state ID card and not a DL there is no requirement to update your address.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com