REAL ID To Start Rolling Out In Virginia: Things To Know

The deadline for Virginia becoming REAL ID compliant is about a month away, and the state is ready to meet the federal requirement.

Passed in 2005, the REAL ID Act requires new federal standards for state-issued forms of identification like a driver's license or state ID. Some states already became compliant and have been issuing REAL IDs. Others like Virginia have been granted extension to start issuing the compliant ID.

As the extension is set to end, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing REAL ID compliant driver's licenses and ID cards at the start of October.

The REAL ID compliant credentials will be optional to obtain at the Virginia DMV. Residents can choose to renew driver's licenses and ID cards and get a REAL ID compliant credential or the standard credential. If they choose the standard ID, the renewal process will be the same.

Additional documentation is required for a REAL ID. This includes:

• Identity (Such as an unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate)
• Legal Presence (Such as an unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate)
• Social Security number; and Social Security card or payroll check stub
• Residency (two proofs needed) (Such as utility bills or mortgage statements)
• Proof of any name changes (if needed) (Such as marriage certificates or divorce decrees) If the name on your identity document is different than your legal name, you must show proof of your name change.

A one-time REAL ID fee of $10 and other standard DMV fees will be due when obtaining the credentials.

Virginia residents will be ok traveling domestically or entering federal facilities requiring ID with the standard driver's license or ID for now. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will enforce REAL ID requirements starting in October 2020. The non-compliant state ID is ok to present when boarding a domestic flight through September 30, 2020. However, the Virginia DMV recommends applying for a REAL ID compliant identification before that time.

REAL ID is not needed for the following:

• Voting or registering to vote although a standard photo ID is required)
• Becoming licensed by Virginia to drive
• Entering federal facilities such as museums that do require identification
• Applying for or receiving federal benefits
• Accessing health or life preserving services such as hospitals and health clinics, law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities such as a defendant’s access to court proceedings
• Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations

REAL ID compliant licenses and standard ID cards look the same except for a small star in the top right corner for REAL ID while non-compliant licenses and ID cards display “federal limits apply” on the face of the card.

To learn more about REAL ID in Virginia visit DMV's REAL ID FAQs page.

Image via Virginia DMV