Those who haven’t already heard of the REAL ID Act of 2005 may be surprised to hear that next year, domestic air travel in the United States (and entry into some federally secured facilities or buildings) will require you to have a specific ID card that has what is called a REAL ID security feature.
What is the REAL ID Act?
The REAL ID Act is the policy name for a federally accepted form of identification that is called REAL ID. The new form of identification is going to be mandatory starting May 7th, 2025 for all Americans who plan to board domestic flights, enter any nuclear facility, and even visit certain federal facilities.
The additional security feature is meant to bolster national security by ensuring each state’s local identification is maintaining a set minimum in terms of security features to minimize the risk of impersonation or the manufacturing of fake IDs.
ID cards that are REAL ID verified can be easily identified with the framed star in the top right corner of each ID, for some states, it is framed in gold and for other states, including D.C. it’s framed in a dark blue. This little star means that your identification card meets the REAL ID security specs and that you are allowed to use it for domestic air travel, amongst other things.
When will REAL IDs be required for Washingtonians?
REAL IDs will be required for every American to be allowed to board domestic flights and enter select federal facilities by May 7, 2025. Those who do not have REAL ID complying identification cards at that point will be refused entry in each respective location.
How to get your REAL ID in Washington, D.C.
The required documentation you need to obtain your REAL ID in the District of Columbia includes proof of identity – including your complete legal name, your date of birth, your social security number, two documents containing proofs of address for your principal residence, and your lawful status.
To obtain your REAL ID verified ID card you can follow the same process you would typically follow to obtain a standard license replacement as you have in the past, just be sure you have all of the above documentation with you during your visit to the D.C. DMV!
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How much will a REAL ID credential cost in D.C.?
Prices vary by state. but in the case of the District of Columbia getting a new REAL ID credential will have the same fees as obtaining a new standard D.C. license, which is $47 for a REAL ID verified ID that is valid for eight years.
Are any alternative IDs going to be accepted in D.C.?
In the District of Columbia, the only REAL ID-compliant document aside from an approved REAL ID license card will be an official passport. You can see a full list of other acceptable alternative forms of ID here.
Unsplash / Gerrie van der Walt
How is a REAL ID different from a D.C. regular license?
Washingtonians with a regular driver’s license will still be able to drive in the country until their current license expires even after the REAL ID Act goes into full effect. However, without a REAL ID or REAL ID-compliant document, one will not be able to fly domestically, or as previously mentioned, be permitted to enter high-security federal facilities.
The main difference will be the star design in the top right corner of the ID, symbolizing that it is REAL ID certified, aside from that there will be no significant differences as far as regular use will be concerned for most Washingtonians.
What else is there to know?
Addition info can be found here on the U.S. Government’s REAL ID page.