Red Tape Hot Box on Getting rid of an old relic
The years float by, and it is still every citizen's requirement to carry their dowód at all times. Meanwhile in the United States and most EU countries, when a person needs to show proof of identification, a driving license will do. It seems our government has a different opinion on this matter, and we're likely never to get rid of the dowód ID requirement. Well, what's done is done - but, nevertheless, it could have been done better...
Concerning a replacement of the dowód osobisty ID, our government has finally realized the problem and is now trying to improve procedure. For the past two years, new IDs have been issued. Citizens would do well to recall the statement given out once by the Ministry of Interior that "Whoever evades the duty of possessing or changing the ID from old to new is liable to a penalty of imprisonment up to one month or a fine." Some people have taken this governmental threat seriously and lined up in queues in order to have their documents replaced. However, in many cases they were not informed of the requirement that 30 days from the date they receive their new IDs, they must also personally inform the Treasury office about the change. Many people weren't even aware of this, and, not surprisingly, felt none of the consequences for their non-action, due to the fact that somewhere between the tons of documents and needless paperwork lining the Treasury office department, this new procedure was lost and was never executed.
However, the new procedure was later resurrected (most likely by some eager government official), and the supposedly guilty citizens have had to bow their heads. Many people were penalized and had to pay very high fines. Fortunately, the incidents have finally reached the ears of our legislators, who admitted that there was a lack of proper information, and finally concluded that the whole procedure should be modified. Better now than never. Under the new amendment, which will be binding as of July 1, the person who changes his dowód osobisty won't have to go personally to the Treasury office but will instead fill out the required document (NIP-3) when he receives the new ID. This document will be sent from that department to the Treasury office. Of course, this won't decrease bureaucracy, but at least it will reduce the time people waste standing in lines.
matdem@poczta.onet.pl
Concerning a replacement of the dowód osobisty ID, our government has finally realized the problem and is now trying to improve procedure. For the past two years, new IDs have been issued. Citizens would do well to recall the statement given out once by the Ministry of Interior that "Whoever evades the duty of possessing or changing the ID from old to new is liable to a penalty of imprisonment up to one month or a fine." Some people have taken this governmental threat seriously and lined up in queues in order to have their documents replaced. However, in many cases they were not informed of the requirement that 30 days from the date they receive their new IDs, they must also personally inform the Treasury office about the change. Many people weren't even aware of this, and, not surprisingly, felt none of the consequences for their non-action, due to the fact that somewhere between the tons of documents and needless paperwork lining the Treasury office department, this new procedure was lost and was never executed.
However, the new procedure was later resurrected (most likely by some eager government official), and the supposedly guilty citizens have had to bow their heads. Many people were penalized and had to pay very high fines. Fortunately, the incidents have finally reached the ears of our legislators, who admitted that there was a lack of proper information, and finally concluded that the whole procedure should be modified. Better now than never. Under the new amendment, which will be binding as of July 1, the person who changes his dowód osobisty won't have to go personally to the Treasury office but will instead fill out the required document (NIP-3) when he receives the new ID. This document will be sent from that department to the Treasury office. Of course, this won't decrease bureaucracy, but at least it will reduce the time people waste standing in lines.
matdem@poczta.onet.pl
