REAL ID to take effect on May 7: What you need to know about the long-delayed law

REAL ID, the federal government’s version of a national ID card, will go into effect this May, 20 years after the law was passed.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have announced that REAL ID will be fully implemented on May 7. Residents of all 50 states, including California, will need a state-issued REAL ID that meets federal standards to board airplanes or enter federal buildings.

Once RealID is fully implemented, people will no longer be able to use a traditional driver’s license or ID to access airport facilities and federal agencies.  A RealID driver’s license, passport, green card, or other federally recognized ID will be required for airport security and entry into federal buildings.

Since Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005, all 50 states, including state DMVs, have been encouraging the issuance of new federally verified driver’s licenses. TSA is ramping up its outreach efforts in advance of the full implementation of RealID on its website, TSA.gov/real-id.

“Congress created the Real ID Act to strengthen personal identification and security procedures in the wake of the 911 attacks,” said TSA Administrator David Pekoske. ”We encourage people to use Real ID as both a driver’s license and an identification card.”

Meanwhile, Califonia DMV said it had issued RealIDs to 18.5 million people as of January 6.

To apply for a RealID online, visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov. You’ll need: a passport or birth certificate; two forms of proof of residency (choose from a utility bill, bank statement, vehicle registration, or cell phone bill); and a social security number. The fee is $35.

For more information on the RealID application and issuance process, visit DMV’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILbrTbz3uLM.

BY HYOUNGJAE KIM   [kim.ian@koreadaily.com]