As the May 7 deadline approaches for federal REAL ID enforcement, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says some people could wait until later to get it.

“To reiterate, May 7 is not the last day citizens can obtain a STAR ID,” reads a recent ALEA release.

“May 7 is the federal enforcement date. This means if you are 18 and older and plan to fly domestically after May 7, or enter certain federal facilities, then you will need a form of federally accepted ID, which is a STAR ID, unexpired and valid passport/passport card, active military ID, etc.”

“If you do NOT plan to fly in May or in the immediate future, you still have plenty of time to get a STAR ID from an ALEA Examining Office after May 7,” according to ALEA.

The release adds that a STAR ID is not required to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Alabama or to vote.

An unexpired passport or one of the accepted forms of federal identification listed on the TSA website can also be used to fly in Alabama after May 7, according to ALEA.

STAR – which stands for Secure, Trusted, Reliable – is part of the Real ID Act, which modifies federal laws dealing with security, authentication and issuance procedure standards for state driver licenses and identification cards.

Alabama STAR IDs will look like traditional driver licenses except with a gold star in the upper left corners.

“This is not a new program as STAR ID services were made available statewide in 2012 in Alabama,” reads ALEA’s release.

“What is new and what has been extended due to covid, is the federal enforcement of the REAL ID Act. This Act was passed by congress in 2005 and requires domestic air travelers and citizens accessing certain federal facilities to have a form of federal identification, to add an extra layer of security.”

Residents can apply for STAR IDs at ALEA Driver License examining offices. You can see a list of those here.

Applicants must present four documents to verify identity/date of birth, Social Security number and address of principal residence.

Among the accepted documents are a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization.

Other documents will be needed to verify Social Security number and address. You can see a complete list of accepted documents here.