Assistance available for obtaining Real ID

Need help securing a vital document prior to applying for a "Real ID"?

Social Security card

If you can't find your Social Security card, you can replace it. Start by visiting the website, ssa.gov/onlineservices. Arkansas citizens are eligible to use the service because the state is "Real ID" compliant. You must have an Arkansas driver's license or government-issued identification card.

However, our attempt to replace a card online fell flat. A customer service person at the Little Rock Social Security office -- Room 1201 of the Federal Building, 700 W. Capitol Ave. -- told us that has to be accomplished in person with a state-issued form of ID. Office hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon Wednesday. That phone number is (866) 593-0933 (And expect to wait even after you've listened to recorded pitches for Medicare services and negotiating the phone tree.)

Birth certificate

If you need an Arkansas birth certificate, the state is gradually making it possible to get one through your local public health unit. Otherwise, you can apply to the state Health Department:

• Walk-in, at the Health Department's vital records office, 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock, across from War Memorial Stadium, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed on state holidays). If you get there before 4 p.m. they can process most certificate requests the same day for customers eligible to receive the certificate and who have all the required information, including acceptable ID. (Arrive after 4 and you'll have to wait until the next day or ask that it be mailed.)

• By mail: Send in a completed application (available at the website or from your local health unit), payment and copies of acceptable ID to: Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records, Slot 44, 4815 W. Markham St., Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Please allow 10-14 days.

• Online: Order through Vital Records (tinyurl.com/vitalark), which provides multiple expedited shipping options for a service fee and charges. Requests typically take 7-14 business days from the date your order is approved plus shipping time.

• Telephone: Call (866) 209-9482. As with online orders, there are multiple expedited shipping options available.

Cost of a birth record is $12 for the first copy, $10 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Complete instructions are available online at healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/order-birth-records. Questions? Call (800) 637-9314 or email adh.VitalRecords@arkansas.gov.

-- Eric E. Harrison

Style on 04/10/2018