REAL ID Deadline Looms: Top 5 Things You Need to Know This Week

(NEXSTAR) — Following multiple postponements, the REAL ID
enforcement deadline
It will begin on Wednesday; from then on, you’ll require
compliant identification card
To boarding a domestic flight and accessing specific federal facilities.

Implementation of the ID mandate, which dates back to
laws enacted after the September 11th terrorist strikes
It officially starts on Wednesday, May 7.

Here are five points you should be aware of prior to the enforcement of the REAL ID requirements.

Is my ID a REAL ID?

Before you plan a visit to your DMV, take a look at your wallet; you might already possess one.
A Real IDs compliant driver’s license or state-issued ID card
numerous states have been producing compliant cards for several years now.

If there is
a star on your license or identification card
, you possess a REAL ID-compliant card. This card might feature a star that can either be black or gold and could appear fully filled in or simply outlined. Regardless of these details, your document meets the requirements for compliance.

Some states —
Minnesota
,
Michigan
,
New York
, and
Vermont
— Issues REAL ID-compliant identification cards and provides enhanced driver’s licenses (only available in Washington), which feature a flag instead of a star and come equipped with a chip facilitating entry into the U.S. via land or sea routes from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, as stated.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
. REAL IDs
cannot
can be utilized for border crossings.

Am I able to obtain a genuine REAL ID?

The brief response is affirmative: REAL IDs will continue to be issued beyond the May 7 enforcement date. Nevertheless, if you plan to fly domestically shortly and lack a REAL ID, you must carry additional identification besides just your driver’s license to boarding the plane (we’ll discuss this further momentarily).

If you’re hurriedly trying to obtain one, you might find yourself without options. Various states have noted a shortage of appointment slots for getting a REAL ID recently, with offices in New Jersey, Illinois, and Kentucky being among those affected, as reported by the Associated Press.

How do I get a REAL ID?

Should you be lucky enough to schedule an appointment for a REAL ID (if that’s necessary in your state), you’ll want to make sure you
have the necessary documentation
.

At minimum, you’ll need to prove your full legal name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, two proofs of address for your principal residence, and your lawful status.

Can you fly without a REAL ID after the May deadline?

The four papers—your birth certificate along with either your Social Security card or simply the number, as well as one utility bill and a paycheck stub—are typically sufficient for meeting these criteria. Nonetheless, depending on specific circumstances, you might require alternative or extra documentation.
depending on your situation
.

In the end, you should consult your nearby DMV office to find out which documents qualify and approximately how long it will take for your REAL ID to be ready.

What happens if you don’t possess a REAL ID?

You might still be allowed to board an airplane or engage in activities that typically necessitate a valid driver’s license.

If you lack a REAL ID and have a domestic flight scheduled for takeoff after the May 7 deadline, there’s no need to worry: You can still use an alternative accepted form of identification to get onboard your flight.

TSA
lists severa
as stated on their website, including:

United States passport or passport card
Foreign government-issued passport
Veteran Health Identification Card
DHS trusted traveler cards
Department of Defense Identification Card (including those provided to family members)
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
Valid identification document provided by a federally acknowledged Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, such as an Enhanced Tribal Card, is acceptable.
HSPD-12 PIV cards
Canadian provincial driving license or INAC card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Work Permit Card (Form I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

For further information regarding TSA’s screening procedures, you can look into their detailed documentation.
here
.
The TSA notes
that even if you arrive at the airport without a valid form of identification, you may still be able to fly by completing an identity verification process with a TSA officer.

Is a REAL ID required for me?

It varies. REAL IDs are
optional
And the requirement for one will differ depending on your circumstances.

You don’t need a REAL ID for tasks such as driving, voting, obtaining state or federal benefits and services, purchasing alcoholic beverages, entering non-ID-required federal facilities like post offices, going to hospitals, or participating in legal processes such as serving on a jury.

Can the TSA prevent you from boarding due to marijuana in your baggage?

Typically, when traveling within your country, or when planning visits to locations such as nuclear power facilities, military installations, or any site that demands proof of identity under federal guidelines, you might require obtaining a REAL ID.

Kids younger than 18 years old don’t have to show ID when traveling inside the U.S.

The Associated Press provided contributions to this report.

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