REAL ID – Do You Have Yours?
You may have recently heard the scuttlebutt regarding the possible need to have a so called "Real ID", but are you aware of what this new form of identification is for or how to obtain one?
Chances are you may not be, as recent surveys have indicated over half of the US population have no idea that the requirements for Real IDs begin on October 1 of this year! This is somewhat surprising considering that it has been almost 15 years since the law establishing the Real ID requirements was passed.
That length of time between passage and implementation may have you wondering why this was done in the first place. To give you some background, this law was in response to 9/11 Commission's recommendations that the government establish stricter identification standards for security purposes. It was felt that current identification methods, such as standard driver's licenses, were inadequate.
That may be true, but my question is, if it was that critical, why did it take 15 years to put in place? But I digress…
Under the law, states are asked to meet minimum security standards as stated in the law for the issuance and production of driver's licenses (DLs) and identification cards (IDs). The consequence for not doing so is that federal agencies cannot accept DLs and IDs from noncomplying states for certain security purposes.
The tougher security identification standards apply to:
- Accessing federal facilities,
- Entering nuclear power plants, and
- Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.
Now, while most of us will never need to enter a nuclear plant, chances are at some point you'll need to get into a federal building of some sort or take a plane ride, so the October 1 deadline is important and fast approaching.
In our home state of Arkansas, until recently, you could only obtain a Real ID at a small number of Department of Finance and Revenue offices scattered around the state. Fortunately, beginning this past February 3rd, all such offices can now issue the Real ID.
Here's the deal however – don't show up at the revenue office expecting just to have them carte blanche convert your current DL to a Real ID. There is an abundance of information you will need to have with you to prove who you are, where you live, etc. The law requires you to provide documentation showing your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), two proofs of the address of your principal residence and lawful status.
Specific to Arkansas, the state has developed several lists of required documents and requires from these lists one item for proof of legal residence, a secondary item for proof of identity, proof of social security number, and TWO proofs of residency.
IMPORTANT: If your name is different on any of the documents you provide, you must bring the document that changes the name, i.e., a marriage license, divorce decree or a court order for name change.
The specific lists of documents that are accepted, as well as other information, can be found online at www.ar.gov/REALID.
Now is the time to get your Real ID. After all, you don't want to show up at the airport and be delayed or prevented from boarding your flight. And the rest of us don't want the headache of a delay caused by you not having one either!
So do us all a favor and get yourself one of those nifty little cards with the gold star in the corner.
