Here’s What Happens If You Don’t Have a Real ID After May 7

In the United States, travelers could derail their holidays this summer if they do not guarantee a real identity document.

The deadline of May 7 set by Homeland Security is fast approaching, which means that adults aboard interior flights will no longer be able to use their old driving license as an identification.

But what happens if you get to a TSA security checkpoint without a real identity document? Here is everything you need to know.

What is a real identity document?

The ID Real were a recommendation from the Commission of September 11, formed in 2002 under former President George W. Bush, so that the federal government “establishes standards for the issuance of identification sources, such as driving licenses and identification cards”.

In addition to the boarding of interior commercial flights, real identity documents will have to grant access to certain federal and nuclear power plants.

The US Congress officially adopted Real Id Act in 2005. However, the federal government has delayed the Real IDS application several times in the past two decades. Although real identifiers are a form of identification, internal security has declared that they are not considered as proof of citizenship.

How do you know if you have a real card that complies with ID?

Unlike previous identity cards, a real identity document will have a star marking in the upper half of the card.

“If the card has no stars' marking, it is not real and will not be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft,” said Homeland Security.

However, there are variations. Depending on the state, the real IDs can have a golden star, a black star, a gold circle with a white star cut or a black circle with a white star cut.

In California, real IDs have an image of a golden grizzly girl with a white star cutting. Homeland Security announced on April 24 that real New York State identifiers, improved licenses and identification cards will have a star or the American flag.

How do you get a real identity document?

The process of acquiring a real ID varies depending on the state.

For example, obtaining a real identity document in Alaska means an application in person in an Alaska Department of Motor Vehicle office and providing a main document showing specific information, including the name of birth and American citizenship status.

In Texas, people can request a real card in accordance with identification in person in a Texas Department of Public Safety office. Some may be eligible to renew their driving license or its online identifier.

At the very least, Homeland Security said that people had to show documents showing their full legal name, their date of birth, their social security number, two evidence of the main residence address and legal status, to obtain a real identity document.

As Business Insider reported, some people who have changed their name by marriage or divorce have trouble gathering the documents necessary to apply for a real identity document.

The Homeland Security website provides a Actual identification cardallowing users to click on their condition for more information.

Can you ask for a real identity document after the deadline of May 7?

Although Homeland Security will start to apply real IDs on May 7, people can submit requests at any time. Those who do not have a real identity card on this date can face travel problems in the United States and lose access to certain federal buildings.

Can you fly without a real identity document after May 7?

Adults flying in the country in the United States can show another form of identification. Security Administration transport does not require children under the age of 18 providing identification when they travel to the United States.

The agency's website has shared a list of Accepted identification optionsIncluding American passports, American passport cards, driving licenses improved by the state (EDL), and more. However, in April, the TSA said that the temporary paper card given to candidates by the DMV would not be accepted.

If travelers do not have an acceptable identification form, a TSA officer “may ask you to complete an identity verification process, which includes information collection such as your current name and address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be authorized to enter the failure control point, where you can be subject to additional screening.”

“You will not be authorized to enter the security control point if you choose not to provide an acceptable identification, you refuse to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed,” said the TSA website.

Homeland Security added that passengers trying to fly without appropriate identification “expect delays, additional screening and the possibility of not being authorized in the security control point”.