Influx of REAL ID applicants as May 7 deadline looms but DRT says alternatives exist

There’s been an influx of REAL ID driver’s license and government identification applicants lining up at the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation as the May 7 deadline looms, but DRT said there are alternative IDs accepted at the airport for those flying within the U.S. such as a valid passport or a permanent resident card, commonly referred to as green card.

The Transportation Security Administration, under the Department of Homeland Security, is set to enforce the May 7 deadline for REAL ID after years of pushing it back.

REAL ID could also be used to access certain federal facilities.

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 after the 9/11 Commission, created after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, recommended that the federal government enhance security standards for identification.

But the actual implementation of the regulations took two decades over a host of reasons.

Starting on May 7, however, a state-issued driver’s license or ID that is not REAL ID compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at domestic airports, TSA said.

Passengers traveling after this enforcement deadline should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.

“Passengers who do not yet have their REAL ID or another TSA acceptable form of ID can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed into the security checkpoint. This includes TSA PreCheck passengers,” TSA said.

Alternatives to REAL ID

DRT on Wednesday said its Driver’s License Examination Branch has seen an influx of patrons lining up for REAL ID driver’s licenses and government identification, and many individuals are likely fielding questions about it.

Residents and guests, however, do not necessarily need to apply for a REAL ID now if they have acceptable alternative IDs for domestic travel, among other things.

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DHS listed acceptable forms of ID cards at the TSA checkpoint at airports, besides REAL ID, beginning May 7, so those who have a flight coming up should be prepared to carry these forms of identification instead:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card (green card)
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards, ETCs
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card, VHIC

This list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice, however.

Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.

Beyond May 7

DRT said its Driver’s License Examination Branch will continue to accept and process REAL ID applications beyond May 7.

Appointments can be scheduled at https://myid.guam.gov/.

For those applying for REAL ID at Guam’s DRT, applicants must present the originals of the following documents:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of date of birth
• Proof of citizenship or lawful status in the United States
• Proof of Social Security number
• Proof of residency

The following are acceptable required documents:

• Valid, unexpired U.S. passport; or
• Certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a U.S. State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual’s state of birth; or
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545; or
• Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-560 or Form N-561, issued by DHS; or
• Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS, Form N-550 or Form N-570; or
• Unexpired foreign passport with supporting document (for legal presence); or
• Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551; or
• non-REAL ID compliant Guam or Stateside ID; or
• Driver’s license or identification card issued in compliance with the standards established by REAL ID.