“REAL ID”
We hope everyone had a good and safe Mother's Day last week. Something that went into effect the Wednesday before Mother's Day was the REAL ID Act of 2005 went into effect. Just as we rely on a valid driver's license to operate a vehicle, a new standard of identification is becoming essential for navigating certain federal spaces and domestic air travel. The REAL ID Act implements regulations to establish minimum security standards, such as driver’s licenses. In this week’s blog, we will look into the REAL ID and what you may need to know if you are traveling or planning on getting a new license soon.
What is a REAL ID?
A REAL ID acts as a normal driver's license, but it has some extra perks. A REAL ID can be indicated by a star in a gold circle at the top right corner of the card. Just like a traditional driver’s license, the ID allows you to drive and travel legally on US roads and it acts as a form of governmental identification when needed. For Illinois and other US residents who fly domestically, the federal government will require you to use a valid U.S. passport or obtain a REAL ID from your state Secretary of State’s office. The REAL IDs will have a star in a gold circle at the top right corner, which indicates that it is federally compliant. You may not be in a rush to get a REAL ID if you have a valid US passport, do not fly domestically, and do not enter military or federal facilities often. The REAL ID can become useful if you fly often or do not want to carry your passport with you extensively.
How to obtain a REAL ID
To obtain a REAL ID in the state of Illinois or any other state look at the links down below. There are 3 main categories of identification that you will have to provide to get a REAL ID.
Proof of identity: You must prove who you are and your identity. To prove your identity, you can bring a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) if you are a non-U.S. citizen.
Proof of a Social Security number: One of the levels of security involves proving who you are based on your Social Security number. You can provide your Social Security card, W-2, or a pay stub or paycheck from your job.
Proof of residency: You must provide proof of residency within the state you are trying to gain a state-issued ID. Your state department of motor vehicles may ask you for a mortgage statement, lease agreement, utility bill, bank statement, or other things depending on the state you live in.
Visit https://realid.ilsos.gov/ for more information about the REAL ID in Illinois or the federal site https://www.usa.gov/real-id for more information on the federal level.
The REAL ID has been pushed back before and it might be pushed back again, but it is important to get your REAL ID before you need it. So the next time you have to renew your license or passport it may be a good idea to look into obtaining a REAL ID within your state. The government has resources regarding this process so it is advised to look at your state's resources before heading to the DMV. Drivers Edge School of Driving wishes everyone safe travels to and fro.