REAL ID Deadline Extended Again For Florida, Rest Of U.S.

FLORIDA — Florida residents will have an additional 19 months to get their REAL ID after the Department of Homeland Security delayed the requirement for all U.S. air travelers to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification by Oct. 1.

The deadline has been postponed until May 3, 2023, for Florida and all other states. Officials said Tuesday's announced delay is due to the pandemic, which is making it harder for people to get into state motor vehicle departments to get the new IDs. Fewer than 50 percent of Americans have obtained their REAL ID.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. The Department of Homeland Security initially postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from Oct. 1, 2020, to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19.

"Extending the Real ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver's licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a Real ID-compliant license or identification card," DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

Real ID compliant cards are issued after a more thorough check of an applicant's identification and incorporate new security features that make them harder to counterfeit. Under the Real ID Act, passed by Congress after the 9/11 attacks of 2001, travelers 18 or older wanting to board an airplane by using a driver's license for identification must have one that conforms with the law's stricter requirements.

On Twitter, Americans reacted to the new delay by urging the federal government to ditch the REAL ID program entirely.

"They should just scrap the Real ID altogether. The document requirements for getting one are difficult or even impossible for many people (especially older and/or poor) to obtain," one person said.

Another person tweeted: "My Real ID is gonna expire before it's actually required."

Officials with the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office said REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and identification cards from the state of Florida have a small star in the upper right corner. They will be needed if you plan to fly or enter any military base or federal building as of May 2023.

A valid passport or military ID card will also suffice to allow you to board a plane or enter a military base or federal offices.

Some military bases have already stopped accepting non-Real ID compliant credentials which display "Federal Limits Apply."

To obtain a new Florida driver license or ID card, read the What To Bring section of the FHSMV site. Click here for a list of local service centers. Visit GoRenew.com to renew your credential online.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Florida received several extensions to implement the requirements.

The federal Department of Homeland Security previously postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Four pieces of identification are required to obtain a Real ID: a passport or birth certificate, a Social Security card or tax return, and two documents proving proof of residence, such as a mortgage or rental receipt and a utility bill.

When heading to the FLHSMV to get a Real ID, residents should bring several documents — originals, not copies.

This includes:

• Proof of identity, including a valid license, birth certificate or passport, with full first, middle and last name. This name will be displayed on the card as required by federal law.
• Proof of Social Security number or Social Security number ineligibility.
• Proof of your date of birth.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or temporary lawful status in the U.S.
• Two different proofs of Florida residence such as a utility bill, bank statement or mortgage statement (a post office box not acceptable). This address will be displayed on your card.
• If the name on your license, permit or non-driver ID application does not match the name on your identity, lawful status and Social Security proofs, you must bring court- or government-issued proof documenting the event causing your name change, such as a marriage license, divorce decree, adoption or court order document.

You can find frequently asked questions about REAL ID on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.