These 5 states will not require REAL ID after May 7 deadline: Where does Alabama stand?
Drivers from five states will be allowed to use an alternative to REAL ID for domestic travel after May 7, the TSA recently announced.
Those eligible will be required to have an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), which is a state-issued driver’s license that provides proof of identity and U.S. citizenship, according to the TSA website.
Drivers residing in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, or Vermont, are allowed to opt out of the REAL ID Act and use an EDL, the TSA says.
But in Alabama and all other states, only state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security requirements established by the 2005 REAL ID Act will be allowed for official purposes, including boarding commercial aircraft, starting May 7, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Without their REAL ID, travelers will have to bring a passport or another form of federally eligible ID in order to board any flight in the U.S.
Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, and Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, both recently signed onto a letter asking the Secretary of Homeland Security to give Alabama residents an additional six months to obtain updated identification.
The letter states that there have been many issues as citizens and DMVs have both struggled as the deadline draws near.
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.
Tara Corse, TSA federal security director for Alabama, previously said anyone who doesn’t have their REAL ID might need to expect delays for additional screening and identity verification.
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.