REAL ID – Your Questions and Answers

Advisories

You may have heard about upcoming deadlines for the “REAL ID” and how it will affect travel. There’s a lot of confusion about this and we are getting a lot of questions regarding this program. So we went straight to the source – the Department of Homeland Security – to get you clarity and answers to your queries.

WHAT IS “REAL ID”

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “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 prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.  These purposes are:

  • Accessing Federal facilities
  • Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
  • Entering nuclear power plants

WHEN DOES IT GO INTO EFFECT?

The final enforcement deadline is October 1, 2020.  By this date, not only must all states be issuing Real ID-compliant licenses or IDs, but individuals must also have visited their state’s driver’s licensing agency and obtained a REAL ID compliant card, or acceptable alternative such as a U.S. passport, if they wish to fly on commercial aircrafts or access federal facilities.

Starting on October 1, 2020, Federal agencies, including DHS and TSA, may only accept state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards as identification for purposes of accessing federal facilities – including TSA airport security checkpoints – if the license or card was issued by a REAL ID compliant state in accordance with the REAL ID security standards (meaning the license or card must include the REAL ID compliant star marking).  Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes.  Most EDLs do not contain the star marking and this is acceptable.

IS MY STATE COMPLIANT?

DHS is working closely with all states and territories to provide assistance and guidance to achieve full compliance by the October 1, 2020 deadline.  As of September 5, 2019, 50 states and territories are fully compliant with the REAL ID requirements, and all states are on track to begin issuing compliant licenses and IDs by the October 1, 2020 deadline.  

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A REAL ID?

REAL ID-compliant cards will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card.  If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity in order to board commercial aircraft.

In the sample ID from the state of Texas at the beginning of this blog, you’ll notice the yellow star in the upper right hand corner.

WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A REAL ID? HOW DO I GET ONE?

Visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency website to find out exactly what documentation is required to obtain a REAL ID.  At a minimum, you must provide documentation showing:  1) Full Legal Name; 2) Date of Birth; 3) Social Security Number; 4) Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence; and 5) Lawful Status.

States may impose additional requirements, so check with your state’s driver’s licensing agency website, before visiting them in person, for additional guidance and assistance.

WILL MINORS NEED A REAL ID TO FLY DOMESTICALLY?

No.  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.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I SHOW UP AT THE AIRPORT WITHOUT A REAL ID?

Travelers who do not present a REAL ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative beginning October 1, 2020 will not be permitted through the security checkpoint.

DO I NEED A PASSPORT IF I HAVE A REAL ID?

If you are traveling internationally you will still need your passport.  If you are traveling domestically, you will only need one valid form of identification – either your REAL ID or another acceptable alternative such as a passport, not both.

CAN I USE A REAL ID FOR CRUISE TRAVEL?

REAL ID cards cannot be used for international sea cruise travel by themselves. For closed-jaw cruises departing from the United States (departing and ending at the same U.S. port) you may use your REAL ID in conjunction with an original copy of your birth certificate.

For cruises that start and end at different ports, depart from or end at an international destination, or involve air travel through an international airport, a passport will still be required.

Premier Custom Travel strongly recommends that all cruise travelers use a passport to travel.

Don’t see the answer to your question? Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID website for more details.

Author’s note: All information in this blog was obtained directly from the Department of Homeland Security and was correct as of the date of publishing. Premier Custom Travel strongly recommends that you reconfirm the identification requirements for your specific trip before booking. There are no refunds or compensation of any kind if you are denied boarding of a cruise ship or aircraft.