‘Real ID’ or passport will be required for domestic flights next year
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| A real ID has a star in the upper right corner. [DMV] |
In a year and a half, you’ll need a Real ID or passport to take a domestic flight or visit a federal office or military base.
The Real ID Act, passed by
Congress in 2015, requires states to offer a new form of driver’s license.
Congress in 2015, requires states to offer a new form of driver’s license.
In Virginia, the Real ID is
optional. You can still get a standard driver’s license if you don’t need a Real ID.
optional. You can still get a standard driver’s license if you don’t need a Real ID.
But you will need a Real ID to board a domestic flight or enter a secure government facility, as of Oct. 1, 2020, or you could use an alternative form of ID, such
as a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, military ID, or a Transportation Worker
Identification Credential.
You will still be able to use a
standard Virginia driver’s license to drive; register to vote; verify your
identity at banks, utility companies, and stores; apply for or receive federal
benefits; and access health services.
To get a Real ID, you have to
apply in person at a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles center. You’ll have
to bring physical documentation of your:
apply in person at a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles center. You’ll have
to bring physical documentation of your:
- Identity – such as an unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate;
- Legal presence – such as an unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate;
- Social Security number – a Social Security card or payroll check stub;
- Residency – two proofs of residency are required, such as utility bills or mortgage statements;
- Proof of any name changes – such as marriage certificates or divorce decrees.
There is a one-time $10 fee for a
Real ID, which is in addition to the fee for a standard driver’s license or identification
card.
The Real ID will have a star in
the upper right corner, while a standard non-Real ID driver’s license will
state “federal limits apply.”
the upper right corner, while a standard non-Real ID driver’s license will
state “federal limits apply.”
If you have a valid
passport, there’s no reason to go to the trouble of getting a Real ID, says S.K. Kim of the Tysons Corner DMV.
passport, there’s no reason to go to the trouble of getting a Real ID, says S.K. Kim of the Tysons Corner DMV.
If you want a Real ID,
he advises, you should get one this year to avoid the rush in 2020.
he advises, you should get one this year to avoid the rush in 2020.
Will a passport card work as a substitute?
Yes, the Passport Card is RealID compliant. Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/card.html
Thanks for the reply!
To be clear, there are many other documents that are suitable for travel. While MOST people use a state-issued ID which would fall under the RealID requirements in 2020, there are many other valid IDs that folks may have.
Such documents include: Passports (foreign or US-issued), US Passport Card, DHS Trusted Traveler cards, Permanent Resident Card, HSPD-12 compliant PIV card (gov employees and contractors have these), and more.
Full list at TSA website: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/card.html
A passport card will work for domestic travel, but not international air travel. – Sparky
Unless and until you consistently remember to bring your passport with you for domestic flights and entering other secured facilities, this could be a seemingly tiny yet challenging behavioral change for many people. Passports are also larger & bulkier than licenses. For $10 and a few hours, it may be worthwhile to get a RealID so you don't have to make the brain shift to bringing a passport to situations that never before required one.