Moving Words – Real ID
Timothy Brady
“Among other things, the Real ID Act sets minimum security criteria that states would have to meet to have their driver’s licenses accepted as identification to board a commercial flight or enter federal facilities.” – Elton Gallegly
The October 1, 2020 Deadline is looming for full implantation of the Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which was the result of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.
For movers, making sure your contractors and employees have changed their driver’s licenses, CDLs and state-issued IDs from the current state license and ID to the Real ID is not an option. Yes, even if their ID expiration is after the October 1st, 2020 deadline.
The reason? Any individual without Real ID is prohibited from entering any Federal facility or boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft. This is especially important for any mover, van operator, packer, estimator or salesman who will be conducting business on military bases or any other federal facilities. If they don’t have the Real ID, they’ll be denied entry after September 30, 2020.
On October 1, 2020 federal agencies, including DHS and TSA, may only accept state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards as identification for purposes of accessing federal facilities – including TSA airport security checkpoints – if the license or card was issued by a REAL ID compliant state in accordance with the REAL ID security standards (meaning the license or card must include the REAL ID compliant star marking). Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking but this is acceptable.
To obtain the Real ID compliant driver’s License, CDL or State ID, you’ll need several documents. You must present ONE identity document that includes that person’s date of birth and their true full name (first, middle, and last). These documents must be from the following list: (Also check with the state DMV where the Real ID is to be issued to see what other documents are required such as a paid property tax receipt or a utility bill for proof of residency.)
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
- Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office). “Abbreviated” or “Abstract” certificates are NOT accepted
- S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen
- Unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
- Certified copy of birth certificate from a U.S. Territory
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card
- Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)
- Valid/unexpired Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797)
- Unexpired foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
- Documents reflecting TPS benefit eligibility
With all this, you may wonder: If the person has a valid U.S. Passport, do they need a Real ID to board a commercial aircraft? No. TSA also accepts several other forms of identity documents. For more information on acceptable forms of identification for boarding aircraft, please visit TSA’s website at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.
Starting October 1, 2020, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID compliant license/ID, or another acceptable form of identification, for accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial aircraft. The card, itself, must be REAL ID compliant unless the resident is using an alternative acceptable document such as a passport. The Act does not require individuals to present identification where it is not currently required to access a Federal facility (such as to enter the public areas of the Smithsonian) nor does it prohibit an agency from accepting other forms of identity documents (such as a U.S. passport or passport card).
Now with everything stated above there are federal facilities which are already requiring REAL ID compliance to enter their facilities:
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently finalized an update to its DoD-wide installation security policy and is in the process of no longer accepting noncompliant marked cards across all of its facilities and installations. However, DoD will continue to accept state-issued noncompliant unmarked “legacy” cards until the October 1, 2020 deadline.
To ensure you have the proper identification, DHS recommends that you contact the federal agency you plan to visit in advance, to obtain information regarding identification requirements.
As a reminder, the REAL ID Act applies when an individual presents a state-issued driver’s license or identification card to a federal agency for an “official purpose” as defined in the Act and regulations, such as boarding a federally-regulated commercial aircraft. Although a REAL ID card may not be necessary for other purposes such as driving, voting, banking, or applying for benefits or employment, it’s recommend individuals check with the relevant state, local, or commercial entities regarding their specific identification requirements.
“For me, your real age is not the age on your ID. That’s just a date when you were born.” – Jose Mourinho
