REAL ID requirement takes effect May 7

Beginning Wednesday, May 7, you’re going to need a REAL ID to board a domestic flight or enter federal facilities or military bases.

A REAL ID is an optional, upgraded version of your driver’s license that has a star in the upper right corner.

You can get one at any Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers, including the ones at 9855 Braddock Road, Fairfax; 6306 Grovedale Drive, Franconia; 1968 Gallows Road, Tysons; and 4150 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington.

You can start the application process for a Real ID on the DMV website, then make an appointment at a DMV customer service center.

You’ll need to bring several documents:

• One proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport.
• Two proofs of Virginia residence, such as a deed, mortgage statement, lease agreement, Postal Service change of address confirmation, or utility bill not more than two months old.
• A Social Security card or Social Security number.
• A proof of a name change – such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree – if your name appears differently on your proof documents.

A REAL ID costs a one-time $10 fee, in addition to the standard cost of renewing or applying for a driver’s license.

You don’t need a Real ID if you bring a U.S. passport or other acceptable government ID to a TSA check-in at an airport. Children under 18 don’t need to show an ID when traveling within the U.S.

The effort to create a more secure ID began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Congress passed a law in 2005 to tighten the regulations for boarding airplanes. After several delays, the REAL ID requirement was supposed to take effect in 2023, but was postponed again for two years after state DMVs insisted that they needed more time.