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> Federal documents don't have authenticated addresses.

I wonder why that matters. If I am provably who I say I am, why is the address important?

Also, not specifically for you, but generally what about states that don't reissue IDs when someone moves? (I suppose their answer to that is "get an updated ID and try again".)

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It's important to the USPS because the reason they want to know a person's identity is for the purpose of physically delivering mail to the correct address for that person.

> what about states that don't reissue IDs when someone moves

Do these exist? I'm not aware of any state that doesn't require you to update your address when you move.

It’s about moving inside a state. I told the DMV of my new address, but my drivers license still has the old one. Maybe I could get it reissued, but that seems like a pain. Many people move more frequently than the license expiration period.

Every time I moved in Georgia, they mailed me a replacement license with my new address. Don't know if all states are like that but given the increasing desire to know people's whereabouts, I would guess many do. Georgia does say it can impose a fee of you move too many times during a license's validity period but haven't seen that actually happen.

They just mailed me a new ID with the updated address in VA when I requested, was a lot less of a pain than having government documents that are wrong, imo.

In Australia, after you change your licence address, they mail you a small sticker with the updated addres, that is then stuck onto the back of your licence.

There's a small section marked on the back that is specifically for it.

I guess if you move multiple times within the expiry period, you can pull the old sticker off and replace it.

I've seen this in my area around metro Detroit as well.

California.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/online-change-of-address-coa-s...

> Will DMV send me a new DL/ID or registration card once my Change of Address is complete? No. New documents are not issued when you change your address. However, you can request a replacement DL/ID or replacement registration card after you confirm that your address was changed successfully.

I think that answers the question to “what about?” above. You request a replacement.

But you don't have to.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/california-driver-handboo...

  If you move, you must notify DMV of your new address within ten days. Submit a change of address online at dmv.ca.gov/addresschange or by mail. It is your responsibility to ensure DMV has your correct mailing address on record.

So, you are required to update your address, and DMV will have your correct address on file, but "you don't have to" update your license.

Whether it’s required or not, it’s rarely enforced.

In my state you're required to update your address, but they don't send you a new ID unless you pay for it.

So if you get pulled over and a cop runs your license it will show your new address. On the other hand the bars etc don't care they just look at DoB and expiration.

If you're purchasing a firearm though they do run the real address, and if it's not accurate you could be in trouble.

In Australia they'd just mail you a sticker to affix to the back of your license with the updated address until renewal.

That's how New Jersey IDs worked until 9/11 too.

For mail forwarding at least, there could be two John Smiths and requesting forwarding for the wrong one would let someone steal mail easily.

I can't imagine there is any state that lacks the option to update the address on your license after you move. Many will even send a sticker in the mail so you don't have to get a new card.

Yeah, my daughter tried to get into a bar, but they said she was only 19, so she put an Authentic Sticker over the birthdate, came back to the bouncer with the "update", and then had a great night out.

Michael B. Jordan could try to be Michael Jordan. There are many popular names out there. Heck I'd change my name to Bill Gates.

"try" isn't even needed. Example: Two people, living at the same address, whose names differ only in the middle initial. One person moves, submitting the change-of-address form. They then start to get some (or all) of the mail for the other person.

Four generations of men in my family have the same name other than suffix. At times three of them lived at the same address. It has caused a number of issues over the years, including unintended cross access to bank accounts. Despite the problems it sometimes creates, they seem to be amused by the confusion.

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