Acceptable IDs for Airline Travel

UPDATE:  DHS Gives Passengers Two-Year Grace Period To Get New IDs
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has delayed by two years the requirement for U.S. flight passengers to have state-issued identification that complies with the REAL ID Act in order to clear security. The law was to have gone into effect this year, but the DHS has announced that passengers can use their existing driver's licenses, whether the issuing state's licenses are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, until Jan. 22, 2018. The delay provides "an ample opportunity to replace their pre-REAL ID licenses with new compliant licenses or to obtain another acceptable form of identification," according to the DHS. Currently, the DHS lists two noncompliant ID issuers, Minnesota and American Samoa, and 23 compliant states and territories. The rest have been working under extensions to comply.

Use Of Acceptable ID By The TSA
The following is from the website of the TSA as of this morning, January 8th.
If traveling by air, residents from ANY state are still able to use a driver's license, or any of the various other forms of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (Passport or Passport Card, Global Entry cards, U.S. military IDs, airline or airport-issued IDs, federally recognized, and tribal-issued photo IDs.) Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.

Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and DoD civilians)
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• DHS-designated enhanced driver's license
• Airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential

Rumors And Facts
Rumor: TSA isn't going to accept my driver's license starting on Jan. 1, 2016
Fact: DHS is in the process of scheduling plans for REAL ID enforcement at airports and will ensure that the traveling public has ample notice- at least 120 days- before any changes are made that might affect their travel. If traveling by air, residents from ANY state are still able to use a driver's license, or any of the various other forms of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (Passport or Passport Card, Global Entry cards, U.S. military IDs, airline or airport-issued IDs, federally recognized, and tribal-issued photo IDs. See the full list on the TSA website.)

Rumor: I need to get a new driver's license or passport
Fact: The REAL ID Act places the responsibility for action on the state, not residents of the state. Overall, states have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to make driver's licenses and other identification more secure. Every state has a more secure driver's license today than before the passage of the Act.

Rumor: The Department of Homeland Security is trying to build a national database with all of our information
Fact: REAL ID does not build a national database nor does it grant the Federal Government or another state access to a state's driver's license data. REAL ID is not a national identification card. States and territories will continue to issue its own unique license, maintain its own records, and determine who may access those records and under what circumstances

Rumor: I can't use my license to access a federal facility or nuclear power plant
Fact: Residents from a noncompliant state without extensions will need to show an alternative form of ID when visiting federal facilities, nuclear power plants and military bases. You can find more information about enforcement here and the most up-to-date information on compliance here. If planning a visit to one of these facilities, you should contact the agency in charge to confirm what alternative forms of identification are accepted or what procedures the facility allows for persons without acceptable identification.

The following states/territories have an extension, allowing Federal agencies to accept driver's licenses from these states until October 10, 2016:
*Alaska
*Arizona
*Arkansas
*California
*Idaho
*Kentucky
*Louisiana
*Maine
*Massachusetts
*Michigan
*Montana
*New Jersey
*New York
*N. Carolina
*N. Dakota
*Oklahoma
*Oregon
*Pennsylvania
*Rhode Island
*S. Carolina
*Texas
*Virginia

The following states/territories have an extension, allowing Federal agencies to accept driver's licenses from these states, until June 1, 2016.
*New Hampshire

The following states/territories are under review for an extension renewal, allowing Federal agencies to accept driver's licenses from these states, until at least January 10, 2016 under a grace period.
*Guam
*N. Marianas
*Puerto Rico
*Virgin Islands

The following states/territories have not received an extension for 2016 and will be subject to enforcement for accessing most Federal facilities, nuclear power plants and military bases beginning Jan. 10, 2016.
*Illinois
*Missouri
*New Mexico
*Washington

Last Published Date: January 8, 2016