Latest news with #REALID-compliant
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania's REAL ID program recertified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Pennsylvanians looking to fly domestically or access secure federal buildings can continue to use REAL ID thanks to a fresh stamp of federal approval. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced Wednesday, June 11, that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration has recertified the commonwealth's REAL ID program as fully compliant with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. The certification means PennDOT can continue to issue REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and photo identification cards. These IDs are required to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities and military bases. Federal law requires states to be recertified every three years to maintain compliance. REAL ID has been an optional service in Pennsylvania since its rollout, and PennDOT continues to offer it to residents who want federally recognized identification. The recertification confirms that PennDOT's systems and practices meet the rigorous security standards required under federal law. To get a REAL ID, residents must provide documents verifying their identity, Social Security number, Pennsylvania residency, and any legal name changes. A full list of accepted documents and application steps is available at There is a one-time $30 fee to obtain a REAL ID, in addition to the standard renewal cost. Once issued, future renewals of the ID do not include additional REAL ID-related fees. PennDOT offers two options for applying: residents can visit one of 15 REAL ID Centers for same-day issuance or apply at a driver license center to receive their ID by mail within 15 days. Residents who received their first Pennsylvania license or ID after Sept. 1, 2003, may already have the necessary documentation on file and can apply online for pre-verification. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
No, your Costco card does not count as REAL ID, TSA says
The Transportation Security Administration wants to make something very clear: you can't use your Costco membership card as a form of identification. On June 4, the TSA attempted to dispel rumors on social media that using a Costco card is equivalent to using a REAL ID to get through airport security. According to reports, the rumor has been seen on Reddit posts and blog posts. TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said presenting your Costco card to TSA will just lead to delays. "Let me tell you something about that. Whoever wrote that story is recycling old material,' Dankers told SF Gate. "Essentially, what the process they're describing is … let's say you lost your ID and only had a Costco card in your pocket. That would help establish a baseline identity for you. The TSA officer would use that as a starting point to confirm your identity, but they would still have to go through our identity verification process.' Here is the type of ID you're supposed to have at the airport. The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005, sets security standards for issuing sources of identification, such as driver's licenses. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in response to the September 11 attacks. Texas began issuing REAL ID-compliant cards on October 10, 2016. These cards are marked with a gold circle with an inset star located in the upper right-hand corner. If you look at your current Texas driver's license, it should have a gold star at the top-right corner of the ID. Your current Texas driver's license or ID is REAL ID-compliant if it has a gold star in the top right corner. If it doesn't, you'll see the gold star on your next renewal or request a replacement card. If you plan to fly domestically, the deadline to be REAL ID ready was May 7, 2025. On June 4, the TSA shared a post on X, advising people not to attempt to use a Costco membership card of any kind to bypass airport security. A Costco membership card will not count as a REAL ID. According to you can apply for a new REAL ID-compliant Texas driver's license or ID in person at a Texas DPS office. You may be eligible to renew your existing Texas driver's license or ID online. You can still use your current, unexpired Texas driver's license or ID to drive and for non-federal ID purposes. When it's time to renew your driver's license or ID, you'll get a REAL ID-compliant one. REAL IDs work for domestic travel, but can't replace a passport for international flights. Passports are still required for venturing beyond U.S. borders. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: No, your Costco card does not count as REAL ID, TSA says
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Nationwide Outage Knocks Out Passport Verification
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A nationwide outage caused passport verification to be unavailable on Wednesday afternoon. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias posted about the outage on social media on Wednesday morning, urging residents to call before visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles for passport verification. The U.S. Passport Verification Service allows driver's license agencies to verify data against the Department of Homeland Security's system. Why It Matters State DMVs have been flooded with visitors as many Americans look to get a REAL ID since it became mandatory at airports earlier this month. Passports are also a valid form of identification, so the delay in passport verification services could potentially affect soon-to-be travelers. Customers wait at a DMV location in New York City on April 28, 2025. Customers wait at a DMV location in New York City on April 28, 2025. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images What To Know The nationwide outage occurred Wednesday morning, but it is unclear where it stands this afternoon. The Illinois Secretary of State's office said DMVs are operating as usual despite the outage for passport verification. "We activated a process that we put in place to enable us to process U.S. passports and immigration documents from other countries at our DMV facilities. We are not experiencing any delays at our DMVs as a result," the office told CBS Chicago. "We are actively working with our DHS partners to provide an update to states so service can be restored as soon as possible," the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) told The Hill, saying the issue should be resolved by the afternoon. Newsweek reached out to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators for comment via email. What People Are Saying Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias posted on X Wednesday: "Due to a nationwide outage, U.S. passport verification is currently unavailable. We are actively monitoring the situation and will provide updates as they become available. Please call 800-252-8980 before visiting our DMVs as services or hours may be impacted." A TSA spokesperson previously told Newsweek: "TSA has no concerns [about security wait times on and beyond May 7. State Department of Motor Vehicles have done a great job of preparing their residents for REAL ID implementation on May 7." What Happens Next As the REAL ID requirements go into effect this month, an increasing number of Americans will likely need to set up an appointment with their local DMV for a REAL ID license or passport. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) previously said that over 80 percent of air travelers already present REAL ID-compliant identification. Those without a REAL ID or passport could face long security delays or potentially not board planes at all.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
REAL ID takes off smoothly
If you aren't sure whether your driver's license or state ID has a gold star in a circle, you might want to double-check your wallet before heading to the airport. Wednesday was the first day that all travelers flying domestically—including inter island—are required to show a REAL ID-compliant credential or another federally accepted form of identification, like a passport or military ID, to get through airport security. The Transportation Security Administration officially began enforcing the REAL ID Act, a federal law passed in 2005 to tighten ID standards after the 9 /11 attacks. In Hawaii, most travelers are already set. According to state Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen, about 96 % of all driver's licenses and state IDs issued here are compliant. 'The great thing is, with REAL ID starting up today, the requirements, TSA has been drilling for the past week or so to ensure that if they run into different scenarios, they're ready for the situations, ' he said at a press conference Wednesday. Sniffen said by midday, 307 travelers had arrived at Hawaii airports without REAL ID-compliant IDs. Of those, only three were denied boarding—and not because of the REAL ID rule. 'The three that were denied access weren't because their IDs were not REAL ID compliant. They came in with no ID at all, ' he said. The rest—304 people—were routed to secondary screening, a backup process that TSA has been rehearsing ahead of the enforcement deadline. Most were cleared in five to 10 minutes. While the rollout appeared largely seamless, Sniffen warned travelers to arrive early if they're unsure about their ID status or traveling with guests who may not be compliant. He also noted that most of the issues could come from visitors from other states, not local residents. Lorie Dankers, a TSA spokesperson, said travelers without compliant IDs will be allowed to fly after undergoing screening, but they'll be given a flyer explaining the new requirements and may be pulled aside. 'You're going to receive a flyer and you may receive additional screening. It's an unpredictable screening measure that passengers might be subjected to, but you are going to be allowed to fly, ' she said. Valid alternatives to a REAL ID include U.S. passports, military IDs—including those issued to dependents—Global Entry cards and foreign government-issued passports. Dankers encouraged travelers to review TSA's ID list in advance. At Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Wednesday, many travelers reported no issues. Ivan Kuancer, who was traveling from Hilo to Honolulu to visit family, said he received his REAL ID when he renewed his license a couple of years ago. He described his travel experience as smooth and said he didn't notice anyone around him having trouble at security. Kuancer supports the initiative for safety reasons, though he acknowledged it could cause some delays. Still, he said he wasn't too worried. Others traveling through Honolulu had mixed feelings. Jennifer, a military traveler from Orange County, Calif., said she opted not to get a REAL ID, relying instead on her military ID when passing through airports. 'I chose not to get it … I am in the military, so I chose to maintain just my military identification as a process of going in and out of the airports. For me, it was like a hassle to get the REAL ID, ' she said. She and her friend Samantha Perez were connecting in Honolulu on their way to Kona. While Perez also described her own travel as smooth—she carries a passport—she expressed concern after witnessing an older woman in a wheelchair being pulled aside at security. 'There should be an exception, ' Perez said. 'She was in a wheelchair. Anybody who may have a disability has to go all the way to the DMV. You don't always have a ride, you don't always have the resources, the financial ability. It looks like it's hard enough on them as it is. It's not great.' Perez said she had never flown domestically using her passport until this trip and worried about misplacing it. 'I have a passport, but not everybody's as fortunate to be able to afford a passport, ' she said. 'Getting a new license in California can also be expensive and unaffordable for some people.' The federal law has been in the works for nearly 20 years, with multiple deadline extensions. Hawaii began issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses in 2018. With enforcement now underway, both federal and state officials say they'll continue educating the public, but travelers should expect the policy to remain in effect going forward. Sniffen said Hawaii's DMV offices have done well preparing the public in advance. With only about 30, 000 out of a million licensed drivers statewide still needing a REAL ID, he doesn't expect long lines at licensing centers—at least, not yet. Travelers are advised to check their IDs for the star in a circle indicating REAL ID compliance and to plan accordingly to ensure a smooth travel experience. ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.—REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent ). If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles. A temporary driver's license is not an acceptable form of identification.—State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL ) or Enhanced ID (EID )—U.S. passport—U.S. passport card—DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST )—U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents—Permanent resident card—Border crossing card—An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation /Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs )—HSPD-12 PIV card—Foreign government-issued passport—Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card—Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC )—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766 )—U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential—Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC )
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Time of India
REAL ID now required at US airports for domestic flights: Key info for travellers
Starting May 7, 2025, US travelers will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. After multiple delays, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed the deadline is final, and travelers who do not comply may face travel disruptions. The REAL ID Act, originally passed in 2005, was designed to enhance security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards following the 9/11 attacks. The law sets specific requirements for ID verification and documentation to prevent identity fraud and improve overall travel safety. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), beginning next May, traditional state driver's licenses or ID cards that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted at airport security checkpoints. Travelers must instead show a REAL ID, a passport, or another TSA-approved form of identification. Read more: Singapore issues travel advisory due to escalating security concerns REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star in the top right corner. However, as of early 2024, fewer than half of all state-issued IDs meet the federal REAL ID requirements, according to DHS officials. This has raised concerns that millions of Americans may be caught off guard when the new rules take effect. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Yogyakarta Jw: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Individuals must present proof of their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, proof of domicile, and lawful status in the United States at their state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order to receive a REAL ID. States may have slightly different requirements, therefore travelers are encouraged to check the websites of their local DMVs for comprehensive guidance. Federal officials emphasize that the change only affects air travel and access to federal buildings; REAL ID is not required to drive, vote, or apply for federal benefits. Read more: Visas and travel under the new India–UK FTA: What's changing? Airports and airlines are also launching information campaigns to alert travelers of the approaching deadline. Travel experts recommend applying for a REAL ID or ensuring your passport is up to date well in advance to avoid problems during the busiest travel seasons. With the countdown now under a year, preparedness is key. For frequent flyers and holiday travelers alike, the message is clear: don't delay — get your REAL ID today. Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
