Twenty years after Congress passed a federal law following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will implement Real ID measures at checkpoints nationwide.
The regulations will take effect May 7. From that day, TSA will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not Real ID compliant at TSA security checkpoints.
All airline passengers 18 years and older, including TSA PreCheck members, must present Real ID-compliant identification or another acceptable ID, such as a passport, at TSA security checkpoints.
Currently, 81% of travelers at TSA checkpoints present an acceptable identification, including a state-issued Real ID. TSA expects the number of passengers obtaining Real IDs to steadily increase and will continue with additional screening measures for those without a Real ID until it is no longer considered a security vulnerability.
Passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not Real ID compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative (e.g., passport) can expect to face delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being permitted into the security checkpoint.
Adam Stahl, TSA senior official performing the duties of the administrator, said, “The Real ID requirement bolsters safety by making fraudulent IDs harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists.”
Noncitizens illegally present in the U.S. who are voluntarily self-deporting on international flights will not be denied boarding under this requirement.
For those without a Real ID, TSA said passengers need to visit their state’s driver’s licensing agency website to find out exactly what documentation is required to obtain a Real ID. At a minimum, airline passengers must provide documentation showing: 1) full legal name; 2) date of birth; 3) Social Security number; 4) two proofs of address of principal residence; and 5) lawful status.
If a Social Security card is unavailable, the person may present any of the following documents bearing the applicant’s SSN:
- a W-2 form,
- an SSA-1099 form,
- a non-SSA-1099 form, or
- a pay stub with the applicant’s name and SSN on it.
Real ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have a star marking, it is not Real ID-compliant and will not be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft.
