Dates are approaching: how to quickly get a Real ID and what will happen if you do not

October 1, 2020 is the deadline to replace your old driver's license or identification card with a document in Real ID format - a new, more secure form of identification that, among other things, will allow US citizens to travel by plane within the country, writes Yahoo.

Photo: California DMV

Beginning October 1, a document that many US travelers used to pass security checks at the airport and boarding an airplane (such as their standard driver’s license or state ID with photo) will no longer be a valid form of identification for domestic air travel. Instead, adult citizens (18 years of age and older) will need to have a driver’s license or Real ID to fly inland.

Travel industry expert Werner Kunz, CEO of Fareportal, a travel technology company behind major projects such as CheapOair and OneTravel, answered key questions about Real ID.

Why do you need a Real ID

This issue is especially relevant in 2020, when only a few months remain before the deadline. In accordance with Commission recommendation 9/11, Congress adopted the Real ID Identity Act back in 2005. As Kuntz explains, the law establishes additional security standards for identifying U.S. residents traveling by air and prohibits all federal agencies from accepting any identification cards that do not meet the new requirements.

“The idea is to strengthen national security and make identity theft more difficult,” he says.

Real ID will completely replace your current identifier and will serve all the same purposes. However, Kunz says that for those not traveling, in some states the standard ID will still be valid for all other purposes, including driving and voting.

“It is worth noting that some states, such as Maryland, are initiating a permanent transition to Real ID,” he adds. If you are unsure about what is considered valid where, please contact your state's law office for clarification.

Keep in mind that the Real ID is valid only for domestic flights to the United States, and that a passport or passport card is still required for all international travel, as before.

You will need to come to the DMV

“Currently, 48 of the 50 states are ready to use Real ID,” Kunz says. “Oklahoma and Oregon are eligible for expanded versions of the identifiers.”

In states that qualify for a Real ID, the DMV (state department of motor vehicles) is the only place you can get the document and you will have to go to their office in person. This can be a onerous task, but it must be done.

On the subject: What you need to know about Real ID in 2020: answers to the most common questions

How to facilitate obtaining a Real ID

Kunz says there are several ways to speed up the process.

One simple thing you can do to make your life easier is to make an appointment, as there will be long lines at the DMV consisting of other people planning to renew their ID. Another piece of advice that Koontz emphasizes is to be prepared to provide all necessary documentation.

Here is a list of all the physical documents you need to bring with you to the DMV:

• passport or birth certificate (without photocopies!);
• Social Security Card (SS) OR a document that states your SS number (for example, Form W-2);
• two documents proving your place of residence and mailing address (for example, utility bills).

You can pay for the issuance of a new certificate in cash, by check or by debit card.

“Please keep in mind that the fee may vary from state to state, but will almost certainly be under $50,” Koontz says.

Some states may require additional paper, so check the details of your DMV website.

Finally, check to see if you can send the required documents online before heading to the DMV. The Department of Homeland Security has allowed some states to accept the necessary digital documents before a personal interview. Candidates who submit their documents in digital format should still personally contact DMV, but it is hoped that this opportunity will help to significantly speed up the process.

Already have a Real ID? Here's how to check it out.

Good news for some residents of the United States: it is likely that you already have a Real ID, but you did not pay attention to it. This fact will save you a trip to the DMV. How to determine if your current document is really a Real ID?

“If you have a gold or black star in the top right corner of your driver's license or ID card, you're all set,” Kunz says. “Unfortunately, a small number of states, including Hawaii, Ohio, Utah and Tennessee, issued compliant IDs without the asterisk, so it is best to check with your state legislature if in doubt.”

Are travel restrictions possible if you do not have a Real ID before October 1

“In most cases, those who do not meet Real ID requirements by October 1, 2020 will not be able to board a commercial aircraft for domestic flights,” explains Koontz. — States such as Michigan, Vermont, Minnesota and New York offer enhanced driver's licenses that can be used in place of Real ID. Other forms of acceptable identification would include a passport or passport card.”

A complete list of valid forms of ID, including a driver’s license that matches the Real ID, can be found on the TSA website.

On the subject: For the sake of speeding up the process: the United States will simplify the filing of documents for Real ID

Don't put off

Yes, October 1st keeps approaching, and no, no one likes the DMV—but don't let these two problems make you put off getting your document until the last minute.

“My biggest piece of advice is to start the process as soon as possible,” Kunz says. — DMV wait times will only increase as the October 1st deadline approaches. I also highly recommend researching the specific requirements in your state, as they may vary. It's always better to be prepared before you have to go through any kind of identification process."

Just do it - you'll thank yourself later.

Read also on ForumDaily:

8 unexpected things that are taxed in the USA

New York Pass: what is the New York Pass and what popular places to visit with it

'There is worse than you think': the famous historian named the 5 main dangers of the future

20 new rules at airports that will affect passengers in 2020

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.