BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabamians are slowly moving toward new federal identification standards the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says will go into effect sometime in 2016.

As of most recent numbers, about 37,000 Alabamians have registered for a "STAR ID," the new secure driver's licenses and identification cards that in coming years will be required for things such as boarding airplanes and entering federal facilities.

That's fewer than 1 percent of the state's estimated 3.8 million licensed drivers and ID card holders.

The program is Alabama's part in nationwide compliance with the REAL ID Act, which Congress passed in 2005 to toughen standards against fraudulent state-issued identification cards.

Alabamians born on or after Dec. 1, 1964, are subject to the new rules by the 2016 deadline. Those who were born before that date will need to comply by 2017, as Homeland Security rules stand at this time.

The federal government began phasing in the REAL ID program earlier this year with Homeland Security personnel and those entering restricted areas such as federal facilities and nuclear power plants.

Semi-restricted areas at federal facilities, or those areas open to the public with ID access, are next, in January.

The fourth phase affects the public the most. Sometime in 2016 -- no specific date has been given -- upgraded identification will be required to board commercial aircraft.

People can still board planes without a STAR ID, but will need other documentation such as a passport.

Alabama Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Robyn Bryan said DPS isn't telling people to rush to get the strengthened licenses, but encouraging them to be mindful of the future date and opt for the STAR ID when it's their regular time to renew.

Applicants must provide certain identifying documents that link them to a physical address. A list is available here.

Non-driver STAR IDs can be obtained for children under 18 with the proper documentation such as birth certificates, which can be used to match children with their parents, Bryan said.

Marriage certificates also are an acceptable in addition to other forms of documentation for anyone whose surname has changed, Bryan said.

The costs are standard -- $23.50 at the time of renewal or $18.50 for a duplicate -- but costs may be accrued in the process of getting the secure documents needed to be granted a STAR ID.

Alabamians can apply for STAR IDs at any DPS license facility statewide, including facilities that are not in their county of residence.

DPS has a list of available license centers on its website.

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Updated at 3:01 p.m. Friday to clarify that those born before Dec. 1, 1964 face a 2017 deadline at this time. Also, a marriage certificates are one form of documentation that can be used, not the only form.