Beginning in 2016, new rules tied to the federal Real ID Act may affect air travelers from several U.S. states and territories. These rules were created to make driver’s licenses and identification cards harder to counterfeit by tightening documentation and issuance standards.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has directed states and territories to meet the Real ID standards when issuing new forms of identification. That includes collecting more documentation during the application process and adopting enhanced security features for ID cards.
Not all states and territories chose to implement the required changes. Those that have declined or delayed compliance include Alaska, California, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Carolina, Washington, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Because of those decisions, residents of those jurisdictions may face different identification requirements at airport security checkpoints.
There has been public concern and reports suggesting that travelers from noncompliant states will be required to present a passport to pass Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening, even for domestic flights. At this time, DHS has indicated that enforcement of stricter identification requirements would not be immediate and that affected travelers would receive at least 120 days’ notice before any change went into effect. That notice period is intended to give residents time to obtain compliant identification or an acceptable alternative.
Travelers who want to prepare in advance should review acceptable forms of identification for airport security and consider obtaining a passport or another federally accepted ID if they live in a noncompliant jurisdiction. A passport remains a universally accepted form of federal identification for domestic air travel.
To stay informed about updates to TSA and DHS identification policies, consult official guidance from the agencies responsible for airport security and identification standards. Monitoring those sources will help you understand any upcoming changes and the timeframe for compliance.