Are You Real ID Ready?

Airport security requirements in the United States are changing and I want you to know all about it and how it could affect your travel plans.

Have you ever heard of the REAL ID Act? It is estimated that ninety-nine million Americans, which accounts for thirty-nine percent of U.S population do not have any form of official ID. REAL IDs are state issued  IDs marked with a star to qualify it as REAL ID. Some states already issue state IDs with the star and other states issue enhanced IDs with the flag. Americans traveling outside of non-compliant states could face challenges while traveling if all states are not on board with this change.

In the wake of September 11th, the REAL ID act mandated by Congress prohibited federal officials from accepting state issued identification card for official business such as traveling as a means to prevent counterfeit. Although many states have made strides to improve the documentation process, style and design through improved technology, there are still concerns around airport security given the lack of consensus among states.

If you’ve recently been around airports in the United States, you may or may not have noticed signs from the TSA warning travelers about changes to their ID requirements. 

Beginning October 1, 2020, the final phase of REAL ID enforcement will be implemented. As a result, it is mandatory for Americans to provide an ID that meets federal standards or another federal form of ID to enter airport security checkpoints.

The REAL ID is not mandatory, and is not a substitute for a passport. If you frequently or simple prefer to travel within the U.S with your ID, the implementation of this act will affect you. Your next step would be to check out your DMV for more details on how to obtain a new ID. The change can only be done in person and other proof of identification such as taxes may be needed to submit the new application.  If you cannot get the ID change in time other alternative forms of identification are passport, passport card, U.S. military ID, Global Entry card can be used.

I would be remiss to not mention that twelve states issue IDs to undocumented people and I am left to wonder how this will affect many undocumented folks who already have a regular state issued IDs and can use it to travel within the state. The truth is in some states the requirement to obtain a REAL ID is becoming more tedious and as the deadline for enforcement is quickly approaching this change in process could be good for some and really bad for others. 

What do you think about the REAL ID enforcement?