Real ID Deadline Reminder For Thanksgiving Fliers In Maryland

BALTIMORE, MD — Maryland residents who fly out of Baltimore Washington International Airport this Thanksgiving are being urged to get their Real ID ahead of the 2020 deadline. You'll need the new ID, with a star in a circle in the upper right corner, if you plan to fly or enter any military base or federal building as of Oct. 1, 2020.

Real ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards from the state of Maryland have a small star in the upper right corner to indicate the credentials are acceptable for these federal purposes. Some military bases have already stopped accepting non-Real ID compliant credentials which display "Federal Limits Apply."

To reduce wait times for Real ID, the Maryland Department of Transportation MVA extended service hours at nine branch offices. Varied Saturday hours are open in Beltsville, Bel Air, Columbia, Glen Burnie, Frederick, Parkville, Walnut Hill, Westminster, and Loveville. Under the plan, the Maryland MVA will make more than 3,000 appointments available statewide each day.

Many residents in the National Capital Region still need a Real ID-compliant license, but haven’t yet gotten one, the Transportation Security Administration said Thursday.

“MDOT MVA is committed to ensuring that every Marylander understands federal Real ID and what they need to become compliant, said Christine Nizer, administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, at a news conference. “With more than 20,000 weekly appointments exclusively for Real ID and tools like the REAL ID Lookup, and Document Guide, we’ve helped 55 percent of Marylanders get Real ID ready. We look forward to continuing to make the process fast and efficient for those who still need to become compliant. Premier customer service is our priority, and we are very thankful that 98 percent of our customers say we are meeting that mark.”

Related:

Real ID Maryland: How To Avoid The Lines

Maryland residents with a license that doesn't carry the star will be barred from boarding a flight or accessing secure federal facilities as of October 2020, the TSA warned.

Customers are encouraged to make an appointment on the MDOT MVA website and after collecting documentation, visit a local branch to become REAL ID compliant.

Find a list of full-service MVA offices, and their hours, here.

Visit Maryland's Real ID Lookup Tool to determine your Real ID status.

Even if you have the newly-designed driver's license or identification card, you may need to submit additional documents in order to be REAL ID compliant – visit Maryland's Real ID Lookup Tool to determine your Real ID status.

Obtaining a Real ID requires the following:

• One proof of identity and legal presence
• Two proofs of state residency
• A Social Security card
• Current driver's license, if you are applying to exchange one issued by the District or a state.
• If proof documents contain different names (for example, if the last name on a birth certificate is different than the name on a payroll check stub), it's necessary to supply documents showing proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order.

Transportation Security Administration officers who check tickets at airports will not allow travelers into the checkpoint without a Real ID license or another form of acceptable ID after Oct. 1, 2020.

TSA has a one-minute video that provides information about flying with a Real ID.