Starting October 1, 2021, the government will require Real IDs to access federal facilities, nuclear powerplants, and federally regulated aircraft. That means that starting October 1, your ID needs to have one of those little black or gold stars on it if you want to catch a flight.
The Real ID Act was passed in 2005 in order to establish minimum security standards for the issuance of identification. It has taken nearly 15 years to implement (the original deadline was in 2008). There was a deadline set for October 1, 2020, but due to COVID-19, the deadline was pushed back a year. The Act aims to eliminate terrorism by increasing requirements to obtain documents that grant access to domestic planes.
You can get your Real ID at the DMV and you might already have one without realizing it. Check your driver’s license to see if you have a black or gold star in the top corner. If your license is not a Real ID it will say “federal limits apply” or “not for federal identification.” Many states have been issuing Real IDs for a couple years now.
Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Washington have issued enhanced driver’s licenses (EDLs). EDLs also allow land and sea border crossings to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, but do not substitute a passport.
Documents Needed for Real IDs
In order to obtain a Real ID, you must present one of the following documents: social security account number card, a W-2 form, an SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA form, or a pay stub with your name and social security number. Some states explicitly require a physical document containing your social security number.
- US citizens need to bring one of the following primary documents:
- Valid US Passport
- Original or certified copy of your birth certificate
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS, or Certificate of Citizenship.
If your current name and primary identity document are different, you should also bring a court-ordered name change document, marriage certificate, and/or your divorce decree.
- Non-Citizens need to bring one of the following documents:
- Valid Permanent Resident Card
- Valid passport for non-immigrants (except for asylum applicants and refugees)
- Government-issued document showing your name
- Department of Homeland Security document proving lawful residence.
If your name has changed by marriage or divorce, you must have your changed name on your CIS documents.
We’ll keep you updated with any Real ID news between now and October 1, so be sure to check our blog frequently.
