REAL ID: Don’t panic… YET!
Disclaimer: This is applicable to US Citizens ONLY
By now most people have probably heard the term REAL ID. Some people have already gotten theirs (kudos to you), some have started the process, and some have brushed it aside to address later (don’t wait too long). While we can’t give you all the ins-and-outs of what’s really behind REAL ID, what we can do is give you an idea of how it will impact your traveling (if you let it).
Here’s the main thing you need to know.
By October of 2020, if you don’t have a state issued REAL ID, you will be required to travel with your passport and use that as identification even if you’re not traveling out of the country.
If you don’t have a passport or a REAL ID by October 2020, don’t plan on traveling by air and definitely not outside of the US.
Here’s how to get your REAL ID:
- Go here: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
- Select your state from the pull-down menu
- Follow the information there to see the steps to get your REAL ID in your state
Most states will require you to bring a bunch of forms of identification to the DMV/MVA/whatever to verify who you are and where you live (think Social Security card, Birth certificate, utility bill, etc.). There is a relatively large list of documents that you can choose from to prove your identity and address but if there’s one (or more) that you don’t have you should start figuring out how to get them ASAP.
Don’t wait until the last minute to find out that you need to get a certified copy of your birth certificate, a new Social Security card, or some other documentation that may take you more time than you think to get. GET STARTED SOON!
