IN JUST A YEAR REAL ID WILL BE MANDATORY ALL OVER THE USA: HOW TO GET THIS ID
After numerous delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, travelers officially have one year from May 3, 2022 to obtain a Real ID.
Last April, the Department of Homeland Security announced a second deadline extension for implementing Real ID requirements: On May 3, 2023, U.S. travelers will need to meet Real ID requirements to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.
This deadline follows a 19-month extension to the law, which was previously scheduled to take effect October 1, 2020.
If you've ever traveled through a U.S. airport in the past few years, you may have noticed signs near the security checkpoint reminding passengers of this change in photo ID requirements under the Real ID Act, reports ThePointsGuy.
Congress passed the Real ID Act shortly after September 11, 2001, setting clearer standards for government-issued photo IDs.
"The pandemic has significantly impacted the ability of states to issue Real ID driver's licenses and ID cards, with many driver license agencies still operating with limited capacity," DHS said in an April 27 statement. "DHS will publish a temporary final rule in the coming days."
The aforementioned final rule went into effect on May 3rd. In addition, state-issued enhanced driver's licenses and other forms of identification approved by TSA will continue to be accepted for travel through airport security checkpoints.
“As our country continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the deadline for the full implementation of Real ID will give states the necessary time to resume driver license operations and ensure that their residents can obtain a Real ID compliant license or ID.” , Alejandro Mallorcas said in a statement.
The law was originally supposed to take effect October 1, 2020, but former President Donald Trump extended that by 12 months due to the pandemic. This second extension gave Americans another 19 months of grace and is due to "hurdles caused by COVID-19," according to DHS officials.
There has been a lot of confusion about what the Real ID Law entails, who it affects, and what you need to do before you travel. So, here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Real ID requirement to ensure your journey runs smoothly.
What is the Real Identity Law?
The Real ID Law established a uniform set of security standards for driver's licenses and other government-issued identification, and most importantly, prohibits government agencies from accepting IDs that do not meet the Real ID Law's standards.
One of the goals was to add an extra layer of security to commercial aviation by making it harder for people to get fake documents and use them to access aircraft.
Government agencies will require more documentation from a person when issuing a Real ID, and the cards themselves are more advanced and therefore harder to counterfeit.
Since each state currently has different standards and processes for issuing photo ID cards, the law took more than a decade to implement. Several states and the American Civil Liberties Union rejected the law, saying it was an abuse of federal government power.
Real ID will now officially go into effect on May 3, 2023, giving you plenty of time to make sure you have the right Real ID - or plan to get one.
How to find out if you have a matching Real ID
This law has been in place for a long time, and many states began issuing corresponding Real IDs long before it was required at the federal level. This means that you may already have a Real ID, but there are some easy ways to check this. As a general rule, IDs with a star or star-shaped cutout are compliant with Real ID.
However, if your ID doesn't have an asterisk or says something like "federal restrictions apply" or "not for federal identification", you don't have a matching Real ID.
Currently, all 50 US states, as well as Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, issue IDs.
And just because you live in a state that issues a Real ID doesn't mean you'll automatically get one. You may have to provide additional documentation, wait longer to receive your ID, or even pay a higher processing fee.
This means that you should double-check your identity right away to make sure it meets the requirements.
What Real ID means for air passengers
When the Real ID Act goes into effect, passengers will not be allowed through TSA checkpoints without proper identification. If you are not interested in updating your driver's license to the appropriate version, you can still travel with a US passport or any of the following TSA-approved forms of ID:
y US passport card.
y DHS card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
y Permanent Resident Card.
y US Department of Defense ID.
y Border crossing map.
y State enhanced driver's license.
y Federally recognized tribal photo ID.
y HSPD-12 PIV card.
y Foreign passport of the state sample.
y Provincial Canadian Driver's License or Northern Affairs Canada Card.
y Transport worker's certificate.
y USCIS Work Permit Card (I-766).
y US Merchant Mariner's Certificate. Please note that travel
Nicks under 18 do not need to provide ID when traveling with a companion and this will not change under the Real ID Law. And while the Global Entry card will be a valid form of a qualifying photo ID, your TSA PreCheck card will not.
When will the Real ID Law come into force?
The Real ID Law will take effect on May 3, 2023 after a 19-month extension from the deadline
October 1, 2021 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Do I need a Real ID if I am registered with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
Yes. While your Global Entry card will be considered valid ID, you will need to bring it (or other photo ID) with you when you travel, even if you are enrolled in one of these programs. Your TSA PreCheck card is not eligible.
Do I need Real ID?
If you have never flown and do not intend to visit a protected government facility, Real IDs are not needed and you do not need to renew your ID. You can still vote, drive, and access healthcare facilities such as hospitals.
Do I need a Real ID to fly if I'm under 18?
No, minors traveling with an accompanying person do not need to show photo ID (although their accompanying person does).
How much does it cost to get a Real ID?
The cost varies by state, ranging from about $10 to $85 to get the proper ID.
And further...
If your driver's license already meets the requirements of Real ID, you have nothing to worry about, as these upcoming changes will not affect you in any way. However, if your license does not meet the Real ID Law standard, you should renew it as soon as possible to avoid a long wait.