A decades-in-the-making effort to increase ID security standards in America is now approaching the final 100 days to the deadline. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREENVILLE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A decades-in-the-making effort to increase ID security standards in America is now approaching the final few months to the deadline.
The question on regulators’ minds is, are Americans finally ready to make the change?
Once the May 7 deadline passes, you’ll need what’s called a “REAL ID” to fly domestically. To know if you have it, look for the star symbol in the top right corner of your license or identification card.
“In order to board an airplane to get through the TSA checkpoints at the airport and to get into a federal courthouse or onto certain military bases, you will need to present a REAL ID compliant document,” Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles Administrator Tommy Winkler said.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, which was a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission. The ID is basically a state-issued identification which meets minimum federal security standards. Getting a REAL ID requires you to prove things like your name, a name change, date of birth, citizenship, social security number and address.
“Providing that proof at the time of application for the product, then the states are able to issue what is called a REAL ID compliant driver license or ID card,” Winkler said.
This can be accomplished by providing a passport, birth certificate, social security card and proof of address. Winkler said it’s best to get a REAL ID at the time of your license renewal for no additional cost, but if you’re simply duplicating your ID, there will be a $14 upgrade fee.
Click here for information on how to obtain a REAL ID.
The REAL ID requirement was supposed to go into effect in 2020, but was pushed back because of the pandemic. Now with it being implemented, the Appleton International Airport says REAL ID will help them speed up security.
“If everybody has a REAL ID, we hope that it will speed things up through the checkpoint process, making sure that everyone has the appropriate identification and there really will be no hiccups,” Appleton International Airport Director Abe Weber said.
Weber said the airport and many passengers feel ready for the REAL ID deadline. According to the DMV, over 62% of Wisconsin Driver’s Licenses and state IDs are already REAL ID compliant. If you’re flying domestically and still don’t have a REAL ID come May 7, you can use a passport– but Weber sees this as a positive change.
“Anytime you can elevate security in really a non-intrusive manner, I think it’s a good thing to do,” Weber said.
The best way to begin the process to get a REAL ID is to start filling out paperwork on the Department of Transportation’s website.
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