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Recently, the Transportation Security Administration began posting signs at airport security checkpoints warning travelers about some upcoming ID requirement changes. So what exactly are these changes, and what do you need to do to be ready?

We’ll break down exactly what REAL ID is, and what it may mean for you and how you travel.

What Is the REAL ID Act?

Formulated in the wake of September 11 and passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act was passed to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”

The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, and it prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes.

It was aimed at eliminating airline terrorism by increasing requirements to obtain documents granting access to domestic planes.

State agencies that issue licenses and identification cards, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, require more paperwork regarding proof of residency and Social Security Number under the new act than necessary to obtain standard licenses.

In addition, the cards themselves will also be built using new technology, making them much more difficult to forge.

It has taken the federal government nearly 15 years to implement the act fully — a gradual process that has been met by some confusion as each state has a different status. However, all states will need to be in compliance by October 1, 2021.

Note: The original date of compliance was October 1, 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was pushed back one year to October 1, 2021.

We know a lot of you are concerned that you will lose the ability to fly, drive or vote as a result of the REAL ID Act, but this isn’t the case. You can continue to use your regular license or identification to do drive and vote without obtaining a REAL ID. In order to fly domestically, you will either need to provide an alternate form of TSA-approved ID or obtain a REAL ID. To fly internationally, you will always need a passport.

What Does a REAL ID Look Like?

In most states, there is a gold or black star on the front of the license that will signify compliance. If you see this, then you’re good to go.

However, to make it more confusing, a few states have issued compliant IDs without a star (Hawaii, Ohio, and Utah). So it’s best to confirm with your state directly if you don’t see a star.

Hot Tip: Some states, including Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington State are currently issuing enhanced driver licenses. These are a form of REAL ID. They additionally allow land and sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Enhanced IDs aren’t a substitute for passports for air travel to these places.

An easy way to know your card is not compliant is if it says “Not for Federal Identification” or “Federal Limits Apply.”

What Does It Mean For Me?

Airports are considered federal facilities, and therefore this act affects your ability to enter them in order to board your flight.

Starting October 1, 2021, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification (like a passport or passport card) for accessing federal facilities — including boarding commercial aircraft.

Most states and territories have already begun issuing the new licenses, so you will have until October 1, 2021 to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license. So just check your license to be sure.

If it is REAL ID compliant, there will be a star in the top right corner; many drivers may not realize they already have one, since some states have been issuing them for a few years.

But if you have a driver’s license from one of the states that have been granted an extension, your license is good for air travel through the dates noted in our chart unless additional extensions are granted.

Each state varies slightly. Also, note that these dates are not set in stone, as states may still obtain another extension beyond these dates as well.

Bottom Line: If you are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act by your state’s deadline, you will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board your flight.

What the REAL ID Act ISN’T

A REAL ID is NOT a substitute for a passport for international travel. There are also a few other things that REAL ID doesn’t affect.

REAL ID requirements don’t apply to:

Voting or registering to vote

Applying for or receiving federal benefits

Being licensed by a state to drive or to rent a car

Entering federal facilities that do not require identification (including a defendant’s access to court proceedings, National Parks, and Social Security offices)

Accessing health- or life-preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics)

Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigation

Ability to purchase alcohol, cash checks, or gamble

You can also continue to use your standard driver’s license or ID card for other U.S. travel like driving in and across state lines or riding a train.

Do I Need A REAL ID?

In most instances, obtaining a REAL ID isn’t necessary. There are still many reasons why people will choose to obtain a REAL ID. Here is a breakdown of some common reasons to consider getting a REAL ID and a few reasons why you might not need one.

Common Reasons To Obtain A REAL ID

• You want to fly with only your state-issued ID

• You don’t have a passport or another TSA-approved ID (listed below)

• You need to visit a secure federal facility, such as a military base, and don’t have a military ID

Reasons You May Not Need a REAL ID

• You are under 18 years old

• You only need your ID for purposes of identification (ie. to vote, serve on a jury, driving)

• You don’t mind bringing another TSA-approved ID (like a passport) along when you fly starting on Oct. 1, 2021

State by State Guidance

Now that you know what REAL ID is and how it affects you, we want to make sure you understand each state’s status. Since licenses are issued at the state-level, each process is slightly different.

Check out our map below for more information:

Here’s that information in a table format:

State REAL ID Status State REAL ID Status Alabama In Compliance Montana In Compliance Alaska In Compliance Nebraska In Compliance Arizona In Compliance Nevada In Compliance Arkansas In Compliance New Hampshire In Compliance California In Compliance New Jersey Under Review Colorado In Compliance New Mexico In Compliance Connecticut In Compliance New York In Compliance Delaware In Compliance North Carolina In Compliance Florida In Compliance North Dakota In Compliance Georgia In Compliance Ohio In Compliance Hawaii In Compliance Oklahoma Extension through September 18, 2020 Idaho In Compliance Oregon Extension through August 7, 2020 Illinois In Compliance Pennsylvania In Compliance Indiana In Compliance Rhode Island In Compliance Iowa In Compliance South Carolina In Compliance Kansas In Compliance South Dakota In Compliance Kentucky In Compliance Tennessee In Compliance Louisiana In Compliance Texas In Compliance Maine In Compliance Utah In Compliance Maryland In Compliance Vermont In Compliance Massachusetts In Compliance Virginia In Compliance Michigan In Compliance Washington In Compliance Minnesota In Compliance West Virginia In Compliance Mississippi In Compliance Wisconsin In Compliance Missouri In Compliance Wyoming In Compliance

Now that you know where your state stands, don’t forget to check out the steps you should take next.

In a move aimed to help more people receive their REAL IDs before the Oct. 1, 2021 deadline, the DHS is now allowing you to submit your identification documents electronically. This includes information such as a birth certificate and passport.

Applicants will still need to bring the required documents in person so they can be compared to the electronic submissions. This means that in order to get a Real ID-compliant license, you must still physically go to a DMV office.

Bottom Line: States will not send you a REAL ID-compliant license automatically. While most states are issuing compliant IDs, individuals may still choose not to upgrade their licenses.

What If My State Is Real ID-Compliant?

You will be able to use your state-issued ID at airports through October 1, 2021. After October 1, 2021 you will need a REAL ID (or another TSA-approved ID) in order to fly – both domestically and internationally.

What If My State Has Received an Extension?

If you have a REAL ID, you are good to go! If not, you will still able to use your state-issued ID at airports through the dates listed in the chart above. Additional extensions may be granted, but this isn’t a guarantee. Be sure to check back close to the expiration date for updates!

Steps to Take to Get a Compliant ID

Step 1: Make an appointment to visit a DMV field office before your state’s deadline. Some offices are offering special hours or days for those trying to get a REAL ID before October 1, 2021. Here are the links to all of the local DMVs to help you get started with this process.

Step 2: On the day of your appointment, make sure you bring all the necessary documents. Here are the requirements with notable allowed documents. If you have any issues or concerns with obtaining one or more of the documents, we suggest checking directly with your local DMV.

Proof of identity, such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card, or foreign passport with an approved form I-94.

Proof of your Social Security Number, such as an SSN card, W-2, or paystub with full SSN.

(2) Proof of residency documents, such as a rental or lease agreement, mortgage bill, utility bill or employment, medical or school document.

If applicable: An original or certified copy of a name change document, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree, may be required.

Step 3: Pay fee for the license. This will vary by state but is generally less than $60. Check our graphic below for specific costs.

Common Problems Obtaining a REAL ID

There are a lot of questions about what is and isn’t an appropriate document to bring along with you in order to obtain a REAL ID. If you’re unsure, we always recommend reaching out to your state’s license-issuing office directly — and doing this before you head to your appointment!

Some states, like California, have made a list of documents that are accepted for each category required. This would be a good place to start when gathering your documents together. This notes when copies or originals are necessary and also has recommendations on alternatives if you don’t have the recommended residency documents or if you use a PO Box.

Can I Transfer My Real ID Between States?

No, you can’t. Unfortunately, federal requirements don’t allow for the transfer of a Real ID license between states. Each state is required to view and image all documentation upon original issuance in that state.

This means that when you move, you will need to go in person to present the same documentation such as a U.S. birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, and two proofs of residence address, as well as meet all of your new state’s issuance requirements.

On a positive note, Real ID licenses from other states can typically be used like any other out-of-state driver license to waive behind-the-wheel drive tests.

What If I Don’t Want a Real ID-Compliant License?

Currently, an estimated 95 million Americans hold Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses, U.S. passports and passport cards, military IDs, and Global Entry cards, all of which qualify as Real ID-compliant identification. But, according to recent reports, that is only 3 out of every 10 Americans!

This means that you don’t have to upgrade your license in order to board your flight, but you will have to use an alternative (TSA-approved) form of ID. TSA currently accepts several other forms of identity documents:

As you can see, the most common alternatives to a REAL ID will be a U.S. passport or U.S. passport card.

Other less common items would be DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), permanent resident card, Department of Defense ID, enhanced driver’s license, or federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID.

For more information on acceptable forms of identification for boarding aircraft, please see TSA’s website.

In developing news, U.S. representatives recently proposed the Trusted Traveler Real ID Relief Act of 2020. If passed, this bill would require the TSA to accept proof of TSA PreCheck enrollment in lieu of Real ID-compliant identification through April 1, 2022. Approval of this Act is still pending, so other identification should be obtained in the meantime.

However, it should be noted that if on or after Oct. 1, 2021, the traveler cannot provide an acceptable form of identification, they will not be permitted through the security checkpoint to board their flight.

How much does a REAL ID cost?

One question you might want to be answered is the cost of a READ ID in your state. That price varies significantly throughout the country. It’s set by the state and the state also determines if the process for getting a REAL ID (when updating your driver’s license) is a renewal, duplicate, or a new license. Below is a map that has information on cost and process in each state.

Note that Oregon has said that there will be an additional fee for REAL IDs but has not determined that cost yet.

Potential State Revenue

Additionally, we were interested in estimating just how much revenue states might be bringing in due to the new REAL IDs. For this, we used the cost from the above numbers and multiplied them by the estimated number of drivers in each state, according to information from the Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.

This estimation is based on what we would consider the max possible revenue. As in, if every driver in each state got a new license for the REAL ID act. Because the new IDs are not mandatory, we understand that not everyone may get one. However, this is an approximation of revenue.

What About Children Under 18?

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification though.

Specific airlines may demand proof of the child’s age, such as a birth certificate or passport, but this is not regulated by TSA. Contact the specific airline for more information.

Final Thoughts

Now is the time to make sure you know the requirements in order to be REAL ID compliant.

In some states, it may take a few weeks (or longer!) to get an appointment at your local DMV. By taking steps towards compliance now, you can avoid the last-minute rush and be ready to go long before October 1, 2021.