Arizona is a pretty stubborn state, and that stubbornness is about to ground state residents unless they soon get a new form of ID.
Effective on October 1st, 2020, the standard Arizona Driver License will no longer be accepted by TSA to pass through airport security and board commercial aircraft, as well as access restricted areas in federal facilities, nuclear power plants, and military facilities.
That’s because driver’s licenses in Arizona are not compliant with the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005 and tightened requirements for identification presented by travelers at airports.
More than a decade ago, Arizona lawmakers decided not to comply with the federal REAL ID when it first came into existence.
“Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government ‘set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses,'” explains the Homeland Security website. “The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.”
Faced with reality, Arizona lawmakers passed a law several years ago that a license or card holder must voluntarily take steps to secure a Voluntary Travel ID.
It will be mean for Arizonans a trip to the DMV with some documents, and $25.
Emails are being sent to driver license holders across the state warning them about the October, 2020 deadline:
The biggest visible difference between a standard driver’s license and the Voluntary Travel ID is a gold star in the top right corner of the new cards.
Arizona drivers licenses must have gold star after Oct. 1 to fly.
The Department of Homeland Security has designated a Real ID-compliant driver’s license as one of more than a dozen forms of acceptable ID for air travel.
Others include a passport, a U.S. Department of Defense ID, a border crossing card, a DHS trusted traveler card, such as Global Entry, or a permanent resident card.
Those traveling out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Phoenix Mesa-Gateway, Flagstaff, Tucson International and Yuma International airports will need identification to meet the requirement if they want to get past Transportation Security Administration screeners.
Some federally controlled facilities also will be inaccessible without a travel ID.
State officials said the Voluntary Travel IDs are available through the state’s Motor Vehicle Division, which is part of ADOT.
Arizona residents who want to obtain a Voluntary Travel ID can go to ServiceArizona.com and set up an appointment or just walk into the closest MVD building.
You’ll need a birth certificate or passport, a document that has your Social Security number and two documents that prove Arizona residency.
Documents that prove Arizona residency can include utility bills, credit-card or bank statements or insurance policies.
The MVD is looking for two documents with a current Arizona address.
The travel ID is $25 and valid for eight years.
Once the appointment is made and proper documents are shown to the MVD, it should take about seven to 10 days to get the new ID in the mail.
Minors under 18 will not be required to have the ID if traveling with an adult who carries an ID.