Despite the multiple extensions for the Real ID deadline, there are still many Americans who don’t have one and face the final deadline next month.
If you are among those who don’t have the new identification or have yet to apply for one, here’s what you need to know about getting it as soon as possible and being able to travel domestically until you do.
The Real ID Act, approved by Congress in 2005, was meant to improve security and minimize fraud in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by a establishing a nationwide standard for identification.
The original deadline to have a Real ID to allow Americans to travel domestically or enter federal facilities such as military bases or federal courthouses was May 2008. The new deadline is May 7.
Funding challenges, concerns over travel interruptions and the pandemic delayed the government from implementing the Real ID requirement for almost two decades.
Even though people have had plenty of time to apply for their Real ID, a recent CBS News data analysis conducted from April 7 to 18 found that at least 30 states are less than 70% compliant. That means in more than half of the country, about three in every 10 travelers may not be able to pass through an airport checkpoint starting May 7.
Twelve states and the District of Columbia reported compliance rates above 90%, CBS reported.
Can I travel domestically without a Real ID?
If you don’t have a Real ID or you applied for one but it won’t arrive by the May 7 deadline, the Transportation Security Administration will accept other forms of identification at TSA checkpoints.
The TSA accepts:
—U.S. passport
—U.S. passport card
—Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
—U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
—Permanent resident card
—Border crossing card
—An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards.
—HSPD-12 Personal identity verification card
—Foreign government-issued passport
—Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
—Transportation worker identification credential
—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
—U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
—Veteran Health Identification Card
Travelers who do not present a Real ID or another acceptable identification can “expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint,” according to the TSA.
Currently, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints present an acceptable identification, including a state-issued REAL ID, the TSA stated in a news release.
Do I still have time to meet the May 7 deadline?
To get a Real ID, you have to apply for it through your local Department of Motor Vehicles office. Some are extending their hours to accommodate last-minute applications.
To start the process, you should visit your state’s DMV website and review the document checklist for what you’ll need to prove your identity and residency. You can fill out an application online, upload the required documents and schedule an appointment at your local DMV office.
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