I am totally amazed that no one else has to go through this! Yes, it is a Homeland Security-inspired thing. The thing that bothers me about this is that I went with the adequate number of *points* (see link below if interested) and was turned away because my Marriage License was not the official state one. I had LOTS of other info along (SS card, bank statement, photo driver's ID) which added up to six points but was told that since I had presented my Marriage License that became my *secondary* ID and the other items were not even considered after that. (I am imagining it is because my name on my birth certificate is different from my name on every other document I have and the marriage license would explain the reason for that). What a mess! This is just another endearing thing about NJ I guess, along with our ridiculously high property taxes, car insurance rates and the recent hike to a 7% sales tax. NJ - - ya gotta love it.

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/HowToRenew.htm