[Nfbmt] real i.d.

Wed Nov 23 17:07:25 UTC 2016

Current Status of States/Territories

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on December 20, 2013 a
phased enforcement plan for the REAL ID Act (the Act), as passed by Congress,

that will implement the Act in a measured, fair, and responsible way.

Enforcement

If a state or territory does not receive a new extension Federal agencies may
not accept licenses and identification cards issued by these states and
territories

beginning January 30, 2017.

Noncompliant States/Territories

The following states remain noncompliant and have not been granted a renewed
extension and will be subject to REAL ID enforcement following a short grace

period. Starting January 30, 2017, Federal agencies and nuclear power plants
may not accept for official purposes driver's licenses and state IDs from

a noncompliant state/territory without an extension.

list of 6 items

.Kentucky

.Maine

.Montana

.Oklahoma

.Pennsylvania

.S. Carolina

list end

Real ID Public FAQs | Homeland Security

   Official website of the Department of Homeland Security

REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions

The following are frequently asked questions about the REAL ID program that
would be useful to the public.

Q: What is REAL ID?

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted 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 state-issued driver's licenses and
identification

cards and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes
licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these
standards.

States have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of
the 9/11 Commission and every state has a more secure driver's license today

than before the passage of the Act.

Q: What do I need to do if I am visiting a federal facility or a military
base?

Starting October 10, 2015, visitors seeking access to military bases and
almost all Federal facilities using their state-issued driver's licenses or
identification

cards must present proper identification issued by REAL ID compliant states
or a state that has received an extension. When planning a visit to a Federal

facility or military base, visitors should contact the facility to determine
what identification will be accepted.

Q; Will a federal agency accept my Enhanced Driver's License?

Yes. State Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) designated as acceptable
border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative are

acceptable for official federal purposes such as accessing a Federal facility
or boarding a commercial aircraft. Individual agency policies may still
apply.

Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are the only states
that currently issue EDLs. For more information on EDLs, please go to 

www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they.

 Q: REAL ID does NOT apply to the following:

list of 6 items

.Entering Federal facilities that do not require a person to present
identification

.Voting or registering to vote

.Applying for or receiving Federal benefits

.Being licensed by a state to drive

.Accessing Health or life preserving services (including hospitals and health
clinics), law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities
(including

a defendant's access to court proceedings)

.Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations

list end

Q: Why is DHS implementing air travel in stages?

On January 8, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced the
following timetable for the implementation of the REAL ID Act for air travel:

list of 5 items

.Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security will conduct
outreach to educate the traveling public about the timeline below, and
continue

engagements with states to encourage compliance with REAL ID standards.

.Starting July 15, 2016, TSA, in coordination with airlines and airport
stakeholders, will begin to issue web-based advisories and notifications to
the

traveling public.  

.Starting December 15, 2016, TSA will expand outreach at its airport
checkpoints through signage, handouts, and other methods.

.Starting January 22, 2018, passengers with a driver's license issued by a
state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been
granted

an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable
identification for domestic air travel to board their flight.  

 Passengers with driver's licenses issued by a state that is compliant with
REAL ID (or a state that has been issued an extension) will still be able to

use their driver's licenses or identification cards.

.Starting October 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant
license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air
travel.

list end

This timetable recognizes that some states must change their laws to comply
with the REAL ID Act. It is also designed to provide an opportunity for
members

of the public to learn more about the implications of not having a REAL
ID-compliant license, and so that individuals have an ample opportunity to
replace

their pre-REAL ID licenses with new compliant licenses or to obtain another
acceptable form of identification.

Q: When will I need to change how I travel domestically?

Starting January 22, 2018, passengers who have driver's licenses issued by a
state that is not yet compliant with REAL ID and that has not received an

extension will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification
for domestic air travel. Please see 

TSA's website

for a list of acceptable forms of identification. Passengers who have
licenses issued by a state that is compliant or that has an extension to
become

compliant with REAL ID requirements may continue to use their licenses as
usual. For a list of states already in compliance or with an extension visit

DHS's REAL ID webpage.

DHS continually updates this list as more states come into compliance or
obtain extensions.  

Starting October 1, 2020, every air traveler will need to present a REAL
ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for
domestic

air travel. A REAL ID compliant license is one that meets, and is issued by a
state that complies with, the REAL ID Act's security standards.  

Travelers can check 

DHS's REAL ID webpage

at any time to learn if your state is compliant and can check with your
state's agency that issues driver's licenses about how to acquire a compliant

license. The earlier your state becomes compliant, the more likely you will
be able to acquire a compliant license as part of the normal renewal cycle.

Q: How will the public be notified of these changes for air travel?

On January 8, 2016, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced the
timetable for the final phase of implementation to the REAL ID Act to inform
the traveling

public of changes that will be made for identification for domestic air
travel effective January 22, 2018. DHS will conduct outreach to educate the
traveling

public about the timeline, and continue engagements with states to encourage
compliance with REAL ID standards.

Starting July 15, 2016, TSA, in coordination with airlines and airport
stakeholders, will begin to issue web-based advisories and notifications to
the

traveling public.

Starting December 15, 2016, TSA will expand outreach at its airport
checkpoints through signage, handouts, and other methods.

Q: Will minors need to have driver's licenses to fly domestically?

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when
traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need
acceptable

identification.

Q: Is a passport my only other option if my state is not compliant?

No. TSA currently accepts several other forms of identity documents and will
continue to do so. For more information on acceptable forms of identification

for boarding aircraft, please see 

TSA's website.

Q: Is DHS trying to build a national database with all of our information?

No. REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification
card.  REAL ID does not create a federal database of driver license
information.

Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its
own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what
circumstances.

The purpose of REAL ID is to make our identity documents more consistent and
secure.

Q: Why is DHS announcing this now? Deadlines have been changed numerous
times, so why can't this wait?

Since 2013, in accordance with the phased enforcement plan announced by DHS,
federal agencies have begun implementation at federal facilities and military

bases. The Department has not previously announced a schedule for
implementation for air travel.  The time has come to complete implementation
of the law,

in support of the overall goal of ensuring the safety and security of the
public.

Q: Can states still receive extensions from DHS?

Yes. DHS is continuing to provide extensions, as warranted. Extensions are
granted for a maximum of one year and may be renewed if a state demonstrates

continued progress towards compliance. Extensions are not a long-term
alternative to a state becoming compliant. All states must become
compliant-both

in terms of the law, but also to prevent the burden of additional
documentation from falling on their residents.

Q: What happens to travelers who show up without a compliant license? Will
TSA turn them away?

DHS has been working with states for years around REAL ID compliance and have
provided technical assistance, grants and other support to them.  We are

also providing more than two years advance notice of implementation with
respect to domestic air travel to allow ample time for all states to achieve
compliance,

or for potential air travelers to acquire an alternate form of ID if their
state does not comply with REAL ID. 

Starting January 22, 2018, travelers who do not have a license from a
compliant state or a state that has been granted an extension (

a complete list of non-compliant states/ territories can be found here)

will be asked to provide alternate 

acceptable identification.

If the traveler cannot provide an acceptable form of identification, they
will not be permitted through the security checkpoint.

Starting October 1, 2020, every traveler will need to present a REAL
ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for
domestic air

travel.

Q: Why are some states still not compliant? Isn't this law?

REAL ID is a mandate on Federal agencies, restricting the circumstances under
which they may accept state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards

for official purposes.  Participation by states is voluntary, although
Federal agencies are prohibited from accepting driver's licenses or
identification

cards from noncompliant states for official purposes (e.g., boarding
aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants).

Q:  How does REAL ID implementation impact states that provide driver's
licenses and IDs to certain non-citizens/undocumented immigrants?

REAL ID allows compliant states to issue driver's licenses and identification
cards where the identity of the applicant cannot be assured or for whom
lawful

presence is not determined.  In fact, some states currently issue such
noncompliant cards to undocumented individuals. These cards must clearly
state on

their face (and in the machine readable zone) that it is not acceptable for
official purposes and must use a unique design or color to differentiate them

from compliant cards.  DHS cautions against assuming that possession of a
noncompliant card indicates the holder is an undocumented individual, given
that

several states issue noncompliant licenses for reasons unrelated to lawful
presence.

Last Published Date: October 26, 2016