July 18, 2018

Agent to Agent: Does Your ID Allow You to Travel Anywhere?

Dear Tammy: I just heard that the Department of Homeland Security has created new standards for driverÕs licenses when people are traveling within the USÑthe Real ID Act. IÕm wondering, how are these new requirements going to affect travelers?
Tammy: Yes, you heard right. The REAL ID Act was actually created in 2005 and will be going into full effect starting October 1, 2020. The Act requires all travelers who live in the United States to have Real ID identification with them anytime they're traveling, even if itÕs only within the United States.

The reason why Congress passed the act is to help prevent identity fraud, which is a big problem these days. Since the overall goal is to help prevent people from making fake IDs, it is definitely a good idea. In order for someone to be compliant they will need to provide the proper identification that the Department of Homeland Security says is acceptableÑpassport, a border ID card, a Global Entry card, a permanent resident card, etc. in order for them to get their REAL ID.

The new requirements arenÕt really going to affect travelers as long as they are able to provide the proper documentation, which is going to make them REAL ID compliant.

This is what you need to know:

ÑIf the traveler's state is already compliant then travelers are able to keep using their state-issued driverÕs license or ID cards to fly within the United States.

ÑIf the traveler's state is not yet compliant but has been given an extension then travelers can continue using their regular state-issued driverÕs license or identification card to travel within the United States.

ÑStarting October 1, 2020, ALL travelers must use a REAL ID compliant driverÕs license in order to travel within the US.

Because all 50 states, as well as United States territories and jurisdictions, will need to comply, all states and territories are currently working on meeting the requirements as soon as possible since the Act will start in a little more than two years.

As of today, American Samoa and Northern Mariana Islands are the only jurisdictions that are still not yet compliant. This means if travelers are traveling to one of these destinations, then they will also need to show another form of proper identification that will allow them to fly domestically.


Copyright 2018 travAlliancemediaª. All rights reserved. From https://www.travelpulse.com. By Tammy Levent.

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