Brand USA Newsletter - November 2019

Compliance Date for REAL ID Act Is Edging Closer

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is reminding travelers that they must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license by Oct. 1, 2020 to board a federally-regulated aircraft, or access federal facilities in the United States.

REAL ID-compliant identification is marked with a star in the upper corner of the card. The style of the star will vary depending on the state, and it’s best to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out if your license is REAL ID-compliant. Other forms of acceptable ID include a United States passport or passport card; U.S. military ID; or DHS trusted traveler cards, like Global Entry; NEXUS; SENTRI; and FAST.

The DHS’s Transportation Security Administration has posted signs at airports, notifying travelers of the change, and have held REAL ID events throughout the country to educate the public. However, since the REAL ID Act was signed into law in 2005, DHS notes that only 27 percent of Americans have been issued a REAL ID as of October 2019.

For more information, check the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at DHS.gov/real-id.