Some people feel the need to never get a passport as they don’t travel outside of the United States, but that is going to change in 2018. Starting at the beginning of next year, residents in states that are non-compliant with the REAL ID Act, will need to have passports in order to take any kind of flight, whether it is international or domestic.
As the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) slowly implements the REAL ID Act of 2005, ID standards will change at airports around the country.
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state- issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies, like TSA, from accepting licenses and identification cards for official purposes from states that do not meet these standards.
Enforcement Dates
Beginning January 22, 2018, driver’s licenses or state ID’s issued by states that are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and have not been granted an extension by DHS may not be used to fly within the U.S.
Beginning October 1, 2020, every traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license or state ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly within the U.S.
When flying…
If your state is compliant:
- You may continue to use your state-issued driver’s license of ID to fly in the U.S. until October 1, 2020.
- Beginning October 1 2020, you may only use a REAL ID-compliant license or state ID or another acceptable form of identification to fly within the U.S.
If your state is not compliant:
- Beginning January 22, 2018, you may continue to use your state-issued driver’s license or ID for domestic air travel only if your state has been granted an extension to the compliance deadline by DHS. If your state has not been granted an extension by DHS you may not use your state-issued driver’s license or ID for domestic air travel.
- Beginning October 1 ,2020, you may not use your state-issued driver’s license or ID for domestic air travel.
Recommendations
- Check your states status: You can check if your state is REAL ID compliant at dhs.gov/real-id-enforcement-brief. Beginning January 22, 2018, travelers from non-compliant states will not be able to use their driver’s licenses or state ID’s at TSA checkpoints, unless the state received an extension to comply.
- Read the frequently asked questions: For clarification on what the REAL ID Act means for you, visit dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or tsa.gov and search “REAL ID”.
- If you have questions about what is considered acceptable identification, you may call TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or email TSA-ContactCenter@tsa.dhs.gov.
So far, there are only 25 states with ID standards that meet those set forward by the REAL ID Act. Residents of these 25 states can continue to fly domestically with a driver’s license.
The Department of State is issuing passport books and passport cards for travelers whose states remain noncompliant with the act. The passport card is an alternative that will allow travelers from noncompliant states to board a domestic flight, it will not be valid for international air travel. Passport cards are the same size as a driver’s license and currently cost $55 for first time applicants and $30 for anyone who already has a passport. It currently costs $110 to apply for or renew a passport book.
Travelers considering renewing or applying for a passport should do so well in advance of a trip.
Source: Department of Homeland Security
