Passport for Traveling by Plane within the US

[Lillian Gracey]

I don't think they will start enforcing that by the end of January. I live in Illinois too and I believe they will accept Illinois DL for about 120 more days.

They are not publicizing this very well at all. They need to give people time to comply, which means hard deadlines need to be implemented and publicized to give travelers the time needed to secure a passport. For example, I have a flight to WDW booked January 17. I'm not sure I could secure a passport by then.

I too live in Illinois and am hoping this is the case. I leave on the 25th and my passport isn't updated with my new last name. I'm still super nervous though.

 

[siskaren]

I too live in Illinois and am hoping this is the case. I leave on the 25th and my passport isn't updated with my new last name. I'm still super nervous though.

Did you read the link in post #4? This won't go into effect for 120 days at least. You have nothing to be nervous about.

 

[NeuroCindy]

I can confirm that in IL they are still accepting the DL as ID at the airport for 120 days (well, 117 or so now?). My mom just flew through MDW and had no issues. So if you're flying in January or early February, breathe easy.

 

[IrishNYC]

And as I understand it, the New York enhanced DL doesn't even meet RealID standards. Since I have a passport already, I'm holding off on paying for the EDL until they get their act together to make it RealID compliant. I'm not paying extra twice.

NYS EDL is RealID Compliant. I believe it's about $30 additional to apply. http://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/about-federal-real-id

 

[siskaren]

I can confirm that in IL they are still accepting the DL as ID at the airport for 120 days (well, 117 or so now?).

I believe it's 120 days from January 10, not January 1.

 

[Accident]

My dad has no DL, ID, or passport, and flies at least once a year. He goes early, chats with them, and continues on.

That's the guidelines, federal law changed in 2010 where you can be denied because you don't have an ID. You're really at the mercy of the TSA.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

No. http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs

They will give 3 months notice, and that notice has not been given other than journalists writing snazzy headlines and having the 1st paragraph make it sound like This Is It, and then the second paragraph saying "oh, nevermind".


And, of course, you don't even NEED ID to fly domestically. Read the last bit here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

My dad has no DL, ID, or passport, and flies at least once a year. He goes early, chats with them, and continues on.

Where are you getting 3 months notice...never seen that figure thrown in there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Here's the information from my local news story regaring MO:

The full statement from Homeland Security is below:

"The Department of Homeland Security is working with state officials to ensure their compliance with REAL ID Act standards and to grant a state an extension where warranted. Missouri has not yet provided adequate justification to receive an extension on compliance with the requirements of the REAL ID Act passed by Congress in 2005. As of October 10, 2015, federal agencies may only accept driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by states that are compliant with the REAL ID Act or have an extension for accessing most federal facilities (including military bases) and entering nuclear power plants. Starting on January 10, 2016, driver's licenses and identification cards issued by Missouri will not be accepted for these purposes. Missouri residents visiting a federal facility can provide another form of identification or follow procedures that the facility allows for persons without acceptable identification."

MO is 1/10/16 for federal buildings because that is when MO's exemption/extension time runs out.

"Missouri can request an extension at any time if there are new developments or additional relevant information regarding the steps they are taking to comply with the REAL ID Act requirements."

"The Transportation Security Administration continues to accept all state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, including those from Missouri. DHS is in the process of scheduling plans for REAL ID enforcement at airports and will ensure that the traveling public has ample notice, at least 120 days, before any changes are made that might affect their travel. The REAL ID Act places the responsibility for action on the state to provide state-issued identification that meets the Act’s security standards."

Please understand that you are still able to fly now with no issues, though there has been plenty of confusion around this. Because the REAL ID act isn't being enforced at this point your DL from a non-compliant state is still acceptable to fly.

Per the FAQs found via http://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs -
"Do I need a passport for domestic air travel starting January 2016?
A: No. DHS is in the process of scheduling plans for implementing REAL ID enforcement at airports. DHS will ensure that the traveling public has ample notice (at least, 120 days) before any changes are made that might affect their travel planning.

Until enforcement at the airports begins, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will continue to accept state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards from all states, as well other forms of acceptable identification listed on the TSA website."

 

[bumbershoot]

I believe it's 120 days from January 10, not January 1.

It's 120 days from when they give notice. So if they give notice on the 10th, then that's true.

Where are you getting 3 months notice...never seen that figure thrown in there.

Sorry, math was wrong. 4 months. 120 days from when they give notice. Stated in the DHS link and several times in this one (and I swear someone said 3 months and my calendar math was off when responding).


Accident, I gave the TSA link. It says exactly what it says. Their policy is "come early, prepare to tell us who you are and have as much proof as possible, and we'll go from there". I've never once read of someone having an issue when they did those things.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Sorry, math was wrong. 4 months. 120 days from when they give notice. Stated in the DHS link and several times in this one (and I swear someone said 3 months and my calendar math was off when responding).

It's all good I know my local news has done a good job on confusing people when they first wrote stories about it though they have expanded and clarified those stories since first being published so I can only imagine how it's being reported across the nation.

 

[North of Mouse]

Louisiana has not complied

True, but there are 'many' states that fit that description - most have an extension until Oct. '16. The ones that are being mentioned are those that 'as of now' do not have extensions.

 

[ariane37]

I'm in NY. Saw something about this back in Oct. I think, so DH and I considered getting the enhanced license. Then totally forgot about it until today when some friends came over and it came up. Figured since we hadn't heard anything, we're good to go on the 15th Nothing has been in or on the news, so I'll just wait until my fellow NY Dis'ers inform me I do indeed need to move on getting my enhanced license lol.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Some answers to common questions available here.

Considering the Real ID act has been law since 2005, I'd say the people have had plenty of time to comply. Write your state government if you're concerned.

LOL you think writing to a politician in Illinois is going to solve anything in this state??? Our state motto is: "Illinois: Where our governors make our license plates."

I do have a passport, but they really aren't doing a good job of publicizing this. Like they aren't doing a good job publicizing that they are no longer mailing renewal notices for license plates. My family is lucky I like them or I would not be living in Illinois.

 

[fla4fun]

Quick question - do you need the full passport book, or does the passport card suffice? I have both, and a compliant DL, but prefer not to carry the passport book unless traveling where it's required. The card fits in the wallet, so it's easier to travel with on a regular basis. Just thought I'd put it out there since I hadn't seen the question yet.

 

[BelleBee]

Quick question - do you need the full passport book, or does the passport card suffice? I have both, and a compliant DL, but prefer not to carry the passport book unless traveling where it's required. The card fits in the wallet, so it's easier to travel with on a regular basis. Just thought I'd put it out there since I hadn't seen the question yet.

Yes, you can use a passport card to travel domestically. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification To the poster who said her father is allowed to board a plane without any sort of ID, that is shocking and I'm not sure I believe it. If it is true, it is a major lapse in security and should never happen.

 

[msb578]

Yes, you can use a passport card to travel domestically. To the poster who said her father is allowed to board a plane without any sort of ID, that is shocking and I'm not sure I believe it. If it is true, it is a major lapse in security and should never happen.

It does happen. People forget their ID too (all the time) and can fly after an interview.

 

[msmama]

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.

 

[Magpie]

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.

So, I am not at all surprised to learn that the US is (edit: enforcing a national standard for ID /edit). It fits with the overall tightening of the rules that I've been seeing.

 

[BelleBee]

So, I am not at all surprised to learn that the US is now requiring their citizens to use a passport to travel by air, within their own country. It fits with the overall tightening of the rules that I've been seeing. (For the record, Canadians can still fly within their own country with just regular ID, and I am a Canadian citizen as far as every other country in the world is concerned.)

The US isn't requiring citizens to use a passport to fly domestically. Citizens of four states will be required to use passports or passport cards if their states do not comply with the new Real ID Act.

 

[Magpie]

The US isn't requiring citizens to use a passport to fly domestically. Citizens of four states will be required to use passports or passport cards if their states do not comply with the new Real ID Act.

Okay, I'm confused. Ah... never mind. I get it now! I edited my previous post, thanks!