Introduction
We are all getting the message that our current IDs will not cut it anymore in a few short years, but what’s the REAL deal? Should you apply for REAL ID now or wait until 2020? Can your passport be used as an alternative form of identification? And what about enhanced driver’s licenses and state-issued IDs? Read on for answers to these questions and more!
There are many myths about getting a REAL ID.
There are many myths about getting a REAL ID. The most common one is that you have to apply for it now.
The truth? You don’t need to get a REAL ID at all, until 2020. And even then, the deadline isn’t set in stone: it could be pushed back if states aren’t ready by then.
In fact, even if you fly domestically after October 2020 and show up at the airport with your old state-issued driver’s license (which will no longer be valid), TSA agents will still accept it as an identity document–for now!
You don’t need to apply for REAL ID until 2020.
You don’t need to apply for REAL ID until 2020. If you want a REAL ID, you can wait until 2020 and apply then or apply now. However, if you don’t have proof of identity and date of birth (PIDBoD), then your application will be denied and the DMV will give you a receipt that shows that they received your application but could not process it because there was no PIDBoD on file with them.
You do not have to get a REAL ID, but you will need one to board a domestic flight after October 2020
- You do not have to get a REAL ID, but you will need one to board a domestic flight after October 2020.
- If you don’t want to apply for a REAL ID and just want your existing license accepted as an identity document, you can do that too. But it won’t be valid for boarding domestic flights after October 1, 2020.
- After October 1, 2020: You’ll still be able to use your old license as an identity document at federal facilities like military bases or federal courthouses–but only until October 1 2021 (or later if further extensions are granted).
You can still use your old license as an identity document until October 1, 2020.
You can still use your old license as an identity document until October 1, 2020. After that, you’ll need a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card if you want to board a plane or enter certain federal facilities.
If you want to get an enhanced ID, you must apply for a REAL ID first.
If you want to get an enhanced ID, you must apply for a REAL ID first. For the DMV to issue your enhanced license or ID card, they must first verify that all of your documents are valid and authentic by running them through the SAVE system.
If there is anything in your application that cannot be verified by SAVE (for example: if one of your documents contains misspellings), then it will be rejected by the DMV and sent back to you with instructions on how to correct it before resubmitting it again.
In order to get an enhanced driver’s license or state-issued identification card, you can use your U.S passport or birth certificate as secondary proof of identity and date of birth if it’s available.
You must provide secondary proof of identity and date of birth when applying for an enhanced driver’s license or state-issued identification card. Still, you can use your U.S passport as primary or secondary proof, or both. If you don’t have a passport, then your birth certificate is the only option for secondary proof (but not primary).
You can only apply for one type of identification at a time.
You can only apply for one type of identification at a time. If you want to apply for both a REAL ID and enhanced ID, you must first apply for your REAL ID, then follow up with an application for your enhanced ID.
You may need to renew your REAL ID before applying for an enhanced version of it if the state requires this renewal process before the expiration date on your current license or identification card (it varies by state).
You must apply in person, even if you renew online or by mail!
You must apply in person even if you renew online or by mail! If you don’t have a birth certificate, you’ll need to apply for a birth certificate first. You can apply for a REAL ID at any DMV location.
If you want to avoid problems with travel, start NOW planning how you’ll get your REAL ID
If you want to avoid problems with travel, start NOW planning how you’ll get your REAL ID.
If you have a passport or military ID, then you don’t need to worry about it–but if not and if you want to avoid problems with travel starting in October 2020 (when the new rules go into effect), apply for a REAL ID now. You can do this either online or by mail; just make sure that when applying for an enhanced ID (which allows access through TSA Precheck), first apply for a regular standard license so that the DMV has something on file before requesting an enhanced one later on down the road.
Conclusion
Now that you know the ins and outs of getting a REAL ID, it’s time to start. If you want to avoid problems with travel, start NOW planning how you’ll get your REAL ID. You can either apply in person at an DMV office or renew online by mail; both options require proof of identity and date of birth (such as a birth certificate or passport). But if all else fails? You can always just use your old license as an identity document until October 1st 2020!
