Passport for Traveling by Plane within the US

[Dug720]

My AAA magazine just told me (well, I read anyway) that the Federal Government has given NY State a year reprieve on needing the new licenses. Now, that makes no sense to me, because I know they are available now, so maybe it means that before they REQUIRE them, I don't know. Just know that it meant for me that I don't have to worry, lol.

I know someone on here said that the EDL is the same, but as I understand it from multiple other sources, an accepted RealID has a gold star on it, but the EDL does not and has only an American flag and not a gold star. If the EDL was acceptable, there should not have to be this grace period for NY State because the system is in place - it would be that every new DL/ID issued was the EDL/EID and those of us with regular ones would be notified that we needed to get new ones. But since NY State has the extension, that tells me that the EDL does NOT in fact meet all of the RealID standards and will have to be changed again. Hence why I'm waiting until they get their poop together. I have a passport, so no biggie.

 

[IrishNYC]

My AAA magazine just told me (well, I read anyway) that the Federal Government has given NY State a year reprieve on needing the new licenses. Now, that makes no sense to me, because I know they are available now, so maybe it means that before they REQUIRE them, I don't know. Just know that it meant for me that I don't have to worry, lol.

A compliant ID is available in NYS, but it is not required by NYS DMV. In NYS an EDL is optional, which is why NY falls in non-compliance with RealID.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

From a dual citizen's perspective, there has definitely been some sort of new rules/new enforcement of old rules with regards to travel documents over this past year.

I was born in the US. I emigrated to Canada when I was nine. Became a Canadian citizen at 15. When my US passport expired in 2000, I didn't bother renewing it because I'd never needed to show it while travelling between Canada and the US (or anywhere else in the world). Then, spring of last year, a guard at the border - road crossing - told me I should always declare myself as a US citizen when entering the country. He said it was the law. And this past November, I was flagged at the airport and told quite firmly that they would make an exception this once, but in future I could not continue using my Canadian passport to enter the US. The guard told me that I needed to have a valid US passport, because - apparently as far as the US is concerned - I'm not a Canadian citizen, I'm a US citizen.

I have made many, many trips by road and air to the US since 1980. This is all VERY new - though it may have been the law prior (I honestly don't know!), it is only now being enforced.

I'm not sure when it became a law or more closely enforced but just did a quick google search and found this on the FAQs section of the Toronto Consulate for United States via http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/service/frequently-asked-questions.html I don't know where in Canada you are but as this is a U.S. law it wouldn't matter where you entered the U.S. from Canada.

"I am a dual U.S. and Canadian citizen and I don't have time to get a U.S. passport. May I enter the U.S. with my travel document showing my Canadian (or other) citizenship?

No, U.S. law requires U.S. citizens to enter and depart the U.S. documented as U.S. citizens. Improperly documented U.S. citizens may be barred or delayed considerably at a port of entry."

So yes they were correct in telling you to use your U.S. Passport when entering the U.S. because you are a U.S. Citizen (with no concern to your dual citizenship) you must use a U.S. Passport to travel into U.S. thereby being treated the same as any other U.S. citizen who has traveled outside the borders of the U.S.

Thanks for putting it out there because it's actually quite an interesting situation at least to me

 

[Flight]

A question. Having a passport does what to make it safer to fly?

X-rays, bomb sniffers, full body scanners, full body pat downs, baggage searches, limitations on carry ons. Aren't these suppose to be the means to make it safer to fly?

Are the ID requirements meant to target terrorists or capture fugitives from justice?

 

[jtowntoflorida]

There is a difference between a state driver's license that is Real ID compliant and an enhanced driver's license. Only four states issue EDLs (MN, MI, NY, and VT). An EDL can be thought of almost like a "passport lite"--it can be used for land and sea border crossings between the US, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Most states issue regular/non-enhanced driver's licenses that are Real ID compliant but nevertheless can't be used for any border crossings. Other states have a waiver on file because they're in the process of complying with Real ID. Other states, like MN where I live, have no waiver on file because they haven't taken any steps to comply with Real ID, and in MN's case, the legislature actually passed a law in 2009 forbidding any state executive agency from taking any steps to comply with Real ID. "Luckily" though, we do have an EDL available to us, so I went out last week and applied for mine. But some states, like IL (where my inlaws live), have no EDL and no waiver or a waiver that is expiring soon so the only way they'll be able to fly after Real ID is enforced for air travel without additional screening is to get a passport.

It's all very confusing, but people will have plenty of time to prepare once the federal government announces when Real ID will be enforced for air travel.

 

[IrishNYC]

A question. Having a passport does what to make it safer to fly?

X-rays, bomb sniffers, full body scanners, full body pat downs, baggage searches, limitations on carry ons. Aren't these suppose to be the means to make it safer to fly?

Are the ID requirements meant to target terrorists or capture fugitives from justice?

It's not a matter of a passport making it safer. An ID that is RealID compliant has stricter standards for confirming the identity of the holder.

In NY it takes very little to obtain a license or state ID, and it's not run through DHS to confirm like an EDL is. The non EDL is basically "ok this birth certificate, your cable bill, and these two or three other things all say that you're Jane smith, so you must be Jane smith." With the EDL your birth certificate and ss# are run through the same process as a passport.

 

[HopperFan]

A few states were updated today .... they are saying four more states got extensions but the actual non-compliant list has grown....

Released today:

http://www.travelzoo.com/blog/tsa-stop-taking-drivers-licenses-9-u-s-locations/

Full list in each category from Homeland:

http://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories

 

[tjmw2727]

I have a passport and live in a state with Real ID (and have one!). Honestly though if I lived in a non compliant state and traveled often via plane but didn't need a passport I would probably just apply for a passport card.

I agree with the majority here - no need to panic but its good to keep up to date on the current information!

 

[OchreHand]

Thanks for the updates. I leave in a couple days and I'm intending on using my drivers license (NY)

Anecdotal: I mentioned this at my work today and nobody seems to be aware of the changes happening for flying. I know it's just anecdotal but I wonder if a wide scale campaign is needed.

 

[sunflare]

As a note, if you apply for Global Entry and get it, then that card will apply as acceptable ID. The bonus is that you get TSA Precheck with it, as well.

 

[Accident]

Thanks for the updates. I leave in a couple days and I'm intending on using my drivers license (NY)

NY got a 1 year extension in october, your fine. you can get the EDL now if you want it, you might even have the realid version already they've offered it since 2009. the problem is it was optional at a higher cost so most didn't get it. oh btw, most NYC museums are offering free membership for 1 year if you sign up with your ny state edl license.

 

[OchreHand]

NY got a 1 year extension in october, your fine. you can get the EDL now if you want it, you might even have the realid version already they've offered it since 2009. the problem is it was optional at a higher cost so most didn't get it. oh btw, most NYC museums are offering free membership for 1 year if you sign up with your ny state edl license.

Thank you! Good tip about the museums.

 

[Dug720]

NY got a 1 year extension in october, your fine. you can get the EDL now if you want it, you might even have the realid version already they've offered it since 2009. the problem is it was optional at a higher cost so most didn't get it. oh btw, most NYC museums are offering free membership for 1 year if you sign up with your ny state edl license.

I knew they were offering it for IDNYC - the New York City ID program. This is the first I've heard of it with the EDL.

 

[Accident]

I knew they were offering it for IDNYC - the New York City ID program. This is the first I've heard of it with the EDL.

maybe I'm mixing it up, it came from coworkers who fly a lot so I'll see if I can get more info from them and come back and let you know what I found out.

 

[Dug720]

maybe I'm mixing it up, it came from coworkers who fly a lot so I'll see if I can get more info from them and come back and let you know what I found out.

Not doubting you! I was just curious. I've got my IDNYC so I'm good (just have to get to them and do the membership thing), but if some not participating in IDNYC are doing EDL, I'm all about that!

 

[IrishNYC]

I knew they were offering it for IDNYC - the New York City ID program. This is the first I've heard of it with the EDL.

What is available with IDNYC? That's basically good for nothing except museums/zoos around the city, as ID at some city agencies, and not much else. You can't even legally use it to buy alcohol, and you certainly cannot get on a plane with it.

 

[erionm]

As a note, if you apply for Global Entry and get it, then that card will apply as acceptable ID. The bonus is that you get TSA Precheck with it, as well.

For a non-refundable $100 fee. If you end up not being approved, you don't get your $100 back.

 

[DSLRuser]

Ever since we got pass ports for our cruise 6 years ago, i have been flying with my passport and my iphone. So much easier. Just keep your wallet and DL stowed away in your bag. No worry about losing or leaving it in a basket.

 

[Dug720]

What is available with IDNYC? That's basically good for nothing except museums/zoos around the city, as ID at some city agencies, and not much else. You can't even legally use it to buy alcohol, and you certainly cannot get on a plane with it.

Year long memberships to museums is a pretty darn good deal to me - especially since you don't have to pay anything for it.

I only brought it up because someone said they thought the EDL would get you the memberships too. I NEVER said it was good for getting on a plane.

 

[IrishNYC]

Year long memberships to museums is a pretty darn good deal to me - especially since you don't have to pay anything for it.

I only brought it up because someone said they thought the EDL would get you the memberships too. I NEVER said it was good for getting on a plane.

I only saw one random reference above to museums, and had no idea what that referred to, or what you referred to. Seems like something might have been edited or deleted. I couldn't figure out how or why the NYC ID even had a place in this discussion, as it's a complete joke and waste of taxpayer money.