Airport Alert: REAL ID Update: DHS Authorizes Online Submission of Required REAL ID Documents
February 20, 2020
The Department of Homeland Security is allowing states to collect certain REAL ID application materials online, a move supported by AAAE and aimed at boosting the adoption rate of REAL ID-compliant identification ahead of the October 1 enforcement deadline.
DHS announced that Acting Secretary Chad Wolf sent letters to state governors informing them of increased flexibility on the submission of REAL ID documents. Specifically, states may now add the pre-submission of identity and lawful status source documents through a secure electronic process, prior to an applicant's in-person visit to the DMV and physical presentation of those same documents for authentication and verification by DMV personnel.
As of October 1, every adult passenger must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid U.S. passport or Global Entry card, to fly commercially within the United States. Individuals without an acceptable form of identification would not be able to enter a security checkpoint or board a commercial aircraft once enforcement begins. As of January 24, states reported that 34 percent of driver's licenses issued are REAL ID-compliant, up from 27 percent last fall.
AAAE and other aviation and travel groups have advocated for this change to allow online submission of the required REAL ID documents as a step toward improving the REAL ID adoption rate. Additionally, AAAE continues to coordinate closely with our industry partners, Capitol Hill and DHS to mitigate potential travel disruptions associated with the upcoming deadline or any potential extensions.
"Ensuring every state is REAL ID compliant by October is one of the Department's top priorities. That is why we have solicited ideas, solutions and proposals from the public, private sector, state governments, and relevant associations in an effort to provide greater flexibility to states for faster, streamlined issuance of REAL IDs," said Acting Secretary Wolf. "While progress has been made, the real work is still ahead because approximately two-thirds of all licenses are presently not compliant with REAL ID. Rest assured, our Department will continue to examine other viable options to improve upon this process and continues doing everything it can to inform Americans on the requirement to obtain a REAL ID before the full enforcement deadline later this year."
The Department of Homeland Security is allowing states to collect certain REAL ID application materials online, a move supported by AAAE and aimed at boosting the adoption rate of REAL ID-compliant identification ahead of the October 1 enforcement deadline.
DHS announced that Acting Secretary Chad Wolf sent letters to state governors informing them of increased flexibility on the submission of REAL ID documents. Specifically, states may now add the pre-submission of identity and lawful status source documents through a secure electronic process, prior to an applicant's in-person visit to the DMV and physical presentation of those same documents for authentication and verification by DMV personnel.
As of October 1, every adult passenger must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a valid U.S. passport or Global Entry card, to fly commercially within the United States. Individuals without an acceptable form of identification would not be able to enter a security checkpoint or board a commercial aircraft once enforcement begins. As of January 24, states reported that 34 percent of driver's licenses issued are REAL ID-compliant, up from 27 percent last fall.
AAAE and other aviation and travel groups have advocated for this change to allow online submission of the required REAL ID documents as a step toward improving the REAL ID adoption rate. Additionally, AAAE continues to coordinate closely with our industry partners, Capitol Hill and DHS to mitigate potential travel disruptions associated with the upcoming deadline or any potential extensions.
"Ensuring every state is REAL ID compliant by October is one of the Department's top priorities. That is why we have solicited ideas, solutions and proposals from the public, private sector, state governments, and relevant associations in an effort to provide greater flexibility to states for faster, streamlined issuance of REAL IDs," said Acting Secretary Wolf. "While progress has been made, the real work is still ahead because approximately two-thirds of all licenses are presently not compliant with REAL ID. Rest assured, our Department will continue to examine other viable options to improve upon this process and continues doing everything it can to inform Americans on the requirement to obtain a REAL ID before the full enforcement deadline later this year."
