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 onward, you’ll require a
compliant identification card
To get on a domestic flight and access particular federal buildings.

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

Here are five things to know before the REAL ID deadline takes effect.

Is my ID a REAL ID?

Before planning a visit to your DMV, take a look at your wallet; you might already possess one.
a REAL>ID-qualified driver’s license or state identification 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 be either black or gold and could appear fully filled in or merely as an outline. Regardless of these details, your document meets the requirements for compliance.

Some states —
Minnesota
,
Michigan
,
New York
, and
Vermont
—Issue REAL ID-compliant identification cards and enhanced driver’s licenses (only available as an option for residents of Washington state). These state-issued enhanced driver’s licenses feature a flag emblem instead of a star and come equipped with a chip that facilitates entry into the U.S. via land or sea routes from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean regions, states the information provided.
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 indeed yes, REAL IDs will continue to be issued past the May 7 enforcement date. Nevertheless, if you plan to fly domestically shortly and lack a REAL ID, you must carry additional documentation besides just your driver’s license for boarding the plane (details follow shortly).

If you’re in a rush to get one, however, you may be out of luck. Several states have reported a lack of appointments to get a REAL ID in recent weeks, including offices in New Jersey, Illinois, and Kentucky, the Associated Press reported.

What steps should I follow to obtain a genuine REAL ID?

If you happen to secure an appointment for obtaining a REAL ID (assuming it’s required in your state), ensure you take all the necessary steps.
have the necessary documentation
.

At the very least, you’ll be required to verify your complete legal name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, two different proofs of residency at your primary home, as well as your immigration status.

Will you be able to board an airplane without a REAL ID following the May deadline?

The four required documents—your birth certificate along with your Social Security card (or simply the number) as well as a utility bill and a paycheck stub—are typically sufficient for meeting these criteria. Nonetheless, depending on specific circumstances, alternative or extra documentation might be necessary.
depending on your situation
.

In the end, you should consult your nearby DMV office to find out which documentation qualifies 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 participate in activities that typically necessitate a valid driver’s license.

If you lack a REAL ID and have a domestic flight scheduled to depart after the May 7 deadline, there’s no need to worry: You can still use an alternative accepted form of identification to get on 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
Defense Department ID (including those given 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 inspection procedures, you can look into their detailed processes.
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 necessary 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 activities such as driving, voting, accessing state or federal benefits and services, purchasing alcohol, entering non-ID-required federal facilities (such as a post office), going to a hospital, or participating in legal processes like jury duty.

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

Typically, when traveling within your country, or if you plan to visit locations such as nuclear power facilities, military installations, or any site that has specific identification rules set by the government, you might require a REAL ID.

Kids who are younger than 18 years old don’t have to show ID when they fly inside the U.S.

The Associated Press provided contributions to this report.

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