Due to the coranavirus pandemic, the U.S. government has extended the Real ID deadline to October 1, 2021. After the deadline all commercial airports in the U.S. will only allow you to board domestic flights if you have a Real ID or another government compliant ID such as a passport. Regular driver licenses or state IDs will not be permitted after this deadline. You will also need a Real ID to enter any federal facility or nuclear power plant.
The Real ID was created in response to the terrorists attacks of 9/11. The Real ID Act was passed by congress in 2005. While each state had a different deadline to start implementing this new form of security, all states have the same deadline to completely enforce the Real ID.
The enforcement deadline was changed from October 1, 2021 to October 1, 2021. Below is the statement released by Acting U.S. Secretary Chad Wold on the Real ID enforcement deadline.
“Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security, as directed by President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline beyond the current October 1, 2020 deadline. I have determined that states require a twelve-month delay and that the new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is October 1, 2021. DHS will publish a notice of the new deadline in the Federal Register in the coming days.
The federal, state and local response to the spread of the Coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline. Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the Administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL ID. Extending the deadline will also allow the Department to work with Congress to implement needed changes to expedite the issuance of REAL IDs once the current health crisis concludes.
Protecting both the health and national security of the American people continues to be the top priority for the President of the United States and the Department of Homeland Security.”
Documents needed for the Real ID:
- ONE identity document that shows your date of birth and true full name, such as a valid U.S. passport, certified copy of U.S. birth certificate, valid Permanent Resident Card, etc.
NOTE: If the true full name shown on your document does not match your current true full name, additional name change documentation is required. - ONE document showing your name and full SSN, such as a Social Security card, W-2, pay stub showing full SSN.
- TWO different documents proving residency that include the first and last name and mailing address that will be shown on your REAL ID driver license or identification card. Examples include a mortgage bill, home utility or cell phone bill, vehicle registration card, and bank statement.
