By: AnnaMarie Mock, CFP®
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to set a standard for identification cards. As of December 2013, the Department of Homeland Security implemented an enforcement plan schedule that was modified in 2018 by President Trump. The Act sets a minimum-security standard for licenses and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting identification cards that do not meet the criteria.
By October 1, 2020, all states must be issuing Real ID-compliant licenses, and individuals must obtain a REAL ID-compliant card to fly domestically or access federal facilities. Children under the age of 18 will not need to provide identification if traveling with a companion that has an acceptable form of identification. There are acceptable alternative forms of identification in addition to the REAL ID:
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards
• U.S. Department of Defense ID
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
If you do not have an alternative form of identification, Federal agencies like TSA will only accept state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that are compliant with the REAL ID security standards. REAL ID-compliant cards will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card:
Those that do not have a REAL ID or an approved alternative after October 1, 2020, may not be permitted past the TSA security checkpoint. If your identity is confirmed, you may be allowed past the security checkpoint even without a REAL ID. Once your identity is approved, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint and subject to additional screening, including a pat-down and inspection of the carry-on property. Because of the added steps, TSA recommends dedicating at least two hours to the verification process if traveling without a REAL ID or alternative I.D.
Most states in the U.S. are now compliant with the Real ID Act. Currently, New Jersey is under review by Homeland Security. Only several New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission agencies are offering real I.D.s, and several others are beta-testing. Since they are not unveiling this across all agencies in New Jersey, there are only two ways to obtain a Real ID, according to the NJMVC prematurely. First, if your license is expiring in less than three months, you may walk into an agency that is currently offering REAL IDs between the 5th and 20th of any month before it expires. Secondly, you may sign up at realidnj.com to make an appointment. To check on the status of your state, visit the Homeland Security website to learn more about the state guidelines.
Please feel free to reach out to the HIGHLAND team with any questions.