[ghaff]

When I got a RealID-compliant driver's license a few years ago in my state in the US, an existing driver's license and passport were not sufficient. I needed some document to server as proof of my current address, such as a utility bill. I don't remember what all the options were but, yes, some people--including kids getting their first driver's license or people sharing an apartment who don't have their name on a lease--can run into issues.

[Aaargh20318]

In the Netherlands, the government already keeps track of everyone’s address. If you move, you have to register your new address with the municipality within a certain time frame. (IIRC 2 weeks)

[ghaff]

The US is sort of loosey-goosey partly because we're not real big on getting registered with authorities and partly because the states have their own jurisdictions. So, if you're legitimately a digital nomad you sort of would have to do one or more things that are probably in a quasi-gray legal area so you can get ID and not be considered a tax evader.

[someplaceguy]

Yes, and that gets really "interesting" when you don't have a stable address of residence (e.g. because you are traveling for an extended period of time, possibly in-and-out of the country).

In some cases, you can get basically locked out of all essential services, including bank account closures, not being able to make payments (especially now with these laws), etc.

Real fun!

[PrimeMcFly]

Jesus that's freaky. Talk about government overreach.

[Aaargh20318]

This seems like a pretty basic thing for a government to do. They need to know your address for a lot of things. For example: taxes (notification that you need to file, your returns, etc). Voting (they send your voters pass to your registered address), fines (if you get caught by a speed camera they need to know where the car’s owner lives). Reminders that you need to renew your car’s annual inspection. Etc.

How would you handle those things without the government knowing your address?

[ghaff]

I live in the US and most of those are not a thing.

I need to file taxes but no one sends me a reminder. My town asks me to verify my address once a year but nothing (other than possibly being eventually removed from voting rolls) happens if I don't. Driver's license and registration are supposed to be your current address but again I'm not sure anything especially happens if they aren't. No one sends me anything to remind me to get my inspection updated.

So I have a supposedly current address on file with various government agencies but AFAIK there is absolutely no rule that, if I pick up and move I have to tell anyone. I do need to file taxes correctly although, as I wrote elsewhere, if I don't have a permanent address that's simultaneously perfectly legal and something of an edge case.

[PrimeMcFly]

> This seems like a pretty basic thing for a government to do.

Then why is it only EU countries and authoritarian governments that do it?

> They need to know your address for a lot of things.

And when those things come up, they can ask your address. But requiring people to register in general is a step too far.

[orion_uranus]

> They need to know your address for a lot of things.

>> And when those things come up, they can ask your address.

How would they do that if they don't have your address? For example: a decent amount of elderly don't use the internet, how would they be contacted?

[PrimeMcFly]

> How would they do that if they don't have your address?

If you need to deal with taxes, you submit your address to the tax agency.

If you need to deal with license stuff, you deal with the equivalent of the DMV.

And so on.

There's no need to just file your address with the government 'in general'.

> a decent amount of elderly don't use the internet, how would they be contacted?

Internet is kind of irrelevant. Most government agencies don't use the internet to contact people unless they specifically opt in and the agency offers that.

They would use your last known address, or wait for you to contact them.

[throwaway2037]

What country do you live in? For many highly developed democracies, this is normal and not scary.

[PrimeMcFly]

Currently the US, but formerly Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Canada.

I've never had to register my address anywhere unless I have a drivers license.

[pallas_athena]

How can you live in Germany without registering an address? Were you just visiting?

Registering the address will get you the tax number, which is necessary to be paid.

The health insurance (also mandatory when working) would need a registered address.

[PrimeMcFly]

I was there for over a year.

I did have a tax number, since I got paid and presumably paid taxes.

I never went anywhere just to register my address though. That sounds so insane to me.

[mrunkel]

> Germany

You broke the law if you were a resident of Germany and didn't register yourself.

[PrimeMcFly]

Well, that sucks. Then again, shitty laws don't deserve to be followed.

You think Europe would have learned a thing or two from WW2 and what was going down on the continent. I guess some behaviors are just too culturally ingrained.