Latest news with #CertificateofCitizenship
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mobile Secretary of State office opening in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A mobile Secretary of State office is opening to make the upcoming federal REAL ID requirements more accessible for West Michigan residents. Kent County announced the office, which is in partnership with the Michigan Secretary of State, in a release. REAL ID: What is it, and why do you need one in May? The temporary site is located at the clerk's office, on the first floor at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, between Michigan Street NW and Ottawa Avenue NW. On May 7, driver's licenses and state ID cards will have to be compliant with REAL ID to travel on domestic flights, visit a military base, visit certain federal facilities or a nuclear power plant. The clerk's office and the mobile office do not require an appointment. Residents will need the following to receive REAL ID. Your current Michigan driver's license or state ID card One of the following original documents or certified copies to prove legal presence (faxes or photocopies will NOT be accepted): Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal (available at the Kent County Clerk's Office for those born in Kent County) Certificate of Citizenship or Certificate of Naturalization Permanent Resident Card And other acceptable documents listed at . Deadline for Real ID less than a month away The release says that enhanced Michigan driver's licenses or IDs are already compliant with REAL ID. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Voter registration amendment proposal splits state lawmakers
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Republicans in the state House of Representatives have introduced a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Michigan Constitution regarding elections—making registering to vote require not just identification, but proof of citizenship. This amendment would be put on the ballot in the next general election. This comes after a similar bill, the , was reintroduced in Congress. That bill would similarly require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, prohibiting states from processing voter registration applications without it. Non-citizen voting is already illegal in Michigan—and carries criminal penalties—but would expand requirements for voter registration to verify citizenship. If your citizenship is not verified, you could only cast a provisional ballot with photo identification—which would not be counted unless your citizenship is verified within six days of the election. Democratic lawmakers held a press conference Tuesday denouncing the resolution as a 'fake solution to a fake problem,' pointing out that voters usually support measures that make it easier to vote. 'As Michigan state legislators, we should be working to honor the will of the people and protect every citizen's right to vote,' says Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth). 'This legislation is a spit in the face to the will of Michigan voters.' Currently, to register to vote, you must provide proof of residency and, if registering in person, a photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID card. If you do not have a photo ID, you can sign an swearing that you do not have one and then register to vote. However, the proposed amendment would require verification of U.S. citizenship to vote—either by presenting documents proving citizenship or having one's citizenship verified by the Secretary of State. However, the proposal itself does not specifically outline what counts as proof of citizenship. According to the , the following documents are generally accepted as proof of citizenship: Birth certificate U.S. Passport Certificate of Citizenship Naturalization Certificate The defines documentary proof of citizenship as the following: A form of identification compliant with REAL ID that indicates U.S. citizenship A valid U.S. passport An official military ID and service record showing place of birth as the U.S. A valid government photo ID showing place of birth as the U.S. A valid photo ID paired with: A birth certificate issued by a state, local, or tribal government An extract from a hospital's record of birth An adoption decree indicating place of birth as the U.S. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad A Naturalization Certificate A Certificate of Citizanship An American Indian Card with the classification 'KIC' At the conference, Democrats noted that not everyone has documents that could prove citizenship on hand—and it costs money to get them. Acquiring a copy of your birth certificate in the state of Michigan could cost you a $34 processing fee, $12 if you order it online, $12.50 if you do so with a credit card, and even $12 to expedite it. can have you out of anywhere from $30 to more than $160, depending on your situation. The resolution also outlines other potential changes to voter registration. You can read a copy of the resolution as it was introduced below. 2025-HIJR-B_186495Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
