‘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.
6 responses to “‘Real ID’ or passport will be required for domestic flights next year”
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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.