Traveling soon? Have the proper documentation needed? The United States will begin requiring identification that meets REAL ID requirements soon. While the original deadline for all states was set for May 3, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced an extension of REAL ID enforcement to May 7, 2025. Individuals now have two years to make sure their identification cards meet the new standards.
What's REAL ID?
After the September 11th attacks in 2001, the 9/11 Commission was created to not only analyze the specific attack, but to also look at security measures to prepare for future possible attacks. The Commission released a recommendation that the Federal Government should "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses." In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act, a result from the recommendation received, and established a minimum security standard for identification. The minimum security standards set production and issuance regulations like verification of the personal information on an ID and security features on the physical card.
Since then, the Department of Homeland Security has been committed to enforcing the REAL ID Act and half of the 50 states have already met the minimum standards. To see everything DHS has been doing regarding REAL ID, check it out here. On December 20, 2013, DHS laid out an enforcement plan for the REAL ID Act. With this plan, states will move towards the following regulations:
- Prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver's licenses and identification cards that don't meet the standards.
- purposes include: accessing certain federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally regulated commercial aircrafts
The following image shows examples of REAL ID approved licenses:
Frequently Asked Questions
DHS has laid out a Frequently Asked Questions section with common questions regarding the implementation of REAL ID. Read some of those below:
- When will READ ID be enforced?
- May 7, 2025
- How do I get a REAL ID?
- Visit your state's driver's licensing agency
- How do I know if my license or identification card is REAL ID compliant?
- REAL ID compliant cards will have one of the following markings
- Will minors need to have driver's licenses/identification cards to fly domestically?
- No. TSA doesn't require children under 18 to provide identification when they are with a companion.
- Do I need a passport if I have a REAL ID?
- If you're traveling internationally, you will need your passport. If you are traveling domestically, you can use either a REAL ID or a passport.
- Is DHS trying to build a national database with all of our information?
- No. REAL ID is a set of standards to make identity documents more secure. There isn't a national identification card.
REAL ID Historical Documents
DHS offers a list of all federal documents relating to REAL ID. They include:
OSU Library Resources
The OSU Library has a set of resources available relating to the REAL ID Act.
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Eager to know more? Start here.
Government Information Online is produced by the staff at the Oklahoma State University Libraries Government Documents Department, a regional depository for U.S. Government and Oklahoma state government documents. We are located on the 5th floor of the Edmon Low Library. Our department website can be reached at www.info.library.okstate.edu/government-documents. For more information or for research assistance, contact us at 405.744.6546. or email suzanne.reinman@okstate.edu
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