Starting from May 7th, a new rule requiring Americans to hold a “Real ID” when traveling will take effect in a week. However, at least 17 states are not fully prepared yet, with an issuance rate of less than 50%.
The Real ID Act, passed in 2005, mandates that travelers aged 18 and above must present the new version of the “Real ID”, or a passport or passport card as alternative documents when boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings and facilities within the United States.
The law was enacted as a security measure in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, aiming to enhance domestic security by establishing a standardized identity verification system across all 50 states and Washington D.C. The original enforcement date of the legislation was set for 2007 but has been repeatedly postponed.
The latest reports reveal that many states are still lagging in compliance with this requirement.
According to a recent report by CBS News on Saturday, through data analysis from April 7th to 18th, at least 17 states have a compliance rate below 50% concerning the Real ID law, while 12 states and Washington D.C. reported compliance rates exceeding 90%.
As of last week, New Jersey had the lowest compliance rate in the country. Only 17% of the identification cards issued in the state are Real IDs. New York reported a compliance rate of 43%, and California’s compliance rate is around 55%.
States like Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Washington D.C. have nearly 100% compliance.
Due to concerns about potential chaos at airport security checkpoints due to ID checks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has designated May 7th as a “May 7th Be Ready” day.
Earlier this month, TSA informed CBS News that starting May 7th, travelers carrying outdated forms of identification to TSA checkpoints will undergo additional screening.
TSA officials will utilize a secondary identity verification process similar to when a traveler’s ID is lost or stolen during the journey to authenticate identities. This may be a time-consuming procedure, so holders of outdated identification should plan to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure rather than the usual two hours for domestic flights. If the secondary identity verification fails, passengers will not be allowed to enter the screening area or boarding gate. The agency had previously stated they would enforce the compliance policy in phases.
The distinctive marking of a “Real ID” is a black or gold star in the upper right corner of the identification card. In some cases, the star may appear in a circle, while California places its star within a golden bear.
Not everyone requires a Real ID. If you do not fly or enter federal government buildings, your old identification will continue to be valid until its expiration.
Real IDs are issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in each state and are an enhanced form of identification. Applicants need to present valid proofs and apply in person. The required documents include: valid identification, proof of identity (such as a passport or certified birth certificate), social security number and proof of date of birth, along with two documents proving state residency, such as utility bills, credit card statements, or lease agreements.
The new identification cards will be mailed by the states, so residents should expect to wait for around two weeks to receive their new cards.