REAL ID requirements in Georgia

WHAT IS THE REAL ID, AND WHEN IS IT STARTING TO BE ISSUED in Georgia?

The REAL ID is a new type of Identification card that you will have to get before October 1st 2021. This card is issued with more secure standards in every State. You will need this new card when you need to identify yourself for official purposes, and the Federal agencies will be obligated to request it to you in case you need to access any Federal Facilities, enter Nuclear Power Plants or even if you are about to board a commercial aircraft around the States.

The deadline to get your brand new REAL ID card is the first of October 2021, it is set that by this time, all the different States will be able to issue them. If you are an american citizen or an american legal resident, you will have to apply for this new type of identification to be able to move around the United States.

As we said before, the deadline to get your REAL ID is October 1st, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will only accept this new Identification cards and Driving licenses that comply with the REAL ID standards and given by a REAL ID compliant State. The Department of Homeland Security is working really hard to help and assist all the american territories for them to be able to issue the new REAL ID cards before October.

Please bear in mind that the REAL ID is not the same for all States, this doesn’t mean that from now the ID card will be a National one for all americans, this actually means that all States will keep using their own cards and keeping their own records, but now with the REAL ID, the security of the card will be improved.

There are some States that already have set security standards on their regular Id cards and that are still acceptable, like the Enhanced Drivers licenses issued in New York, Vermont, Minnesota,Michigan and Washington.

To process your REAL ID card you will have to make an appointment on your current State driving license agency website and check the requirements and the papers you will have to present there, most of the States will request documentation that shows: Full name and date of birth, if you have your Social Security Number, your address and your legal Status.

If you are not sure that your ID is compliant with the REAL ID Identification card, you can check if your card has one of these marks.

Keep in mind that, if you have any doubts it is better to ask your State agency than to risk yourself having any problem because of not having a Valid ID.

In the case you need to travel, The Transportation Security Administration also accepts other identification documents, like the passport for example, but we recommend you that just to be sure, before you have to use your ID visit the TSA website to check your valid options.

WHO IS ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS NEW REAL ID CARD in Georgia?

These REAL ID cards are designed to improve the way Every American citizen is identified. All american people must have a REAL ID card or an Identification card.

The Department of Homeland Security, in some cases, will allow some Special REAL IDs to non citizens or immigrants with no documentation, always with the difference that these cards will be marked with some other characteristics, symbols or color. If you are interested in this kind of cards, please visit the DHS website to check if you are allowed to apply for one of these REAL ID cards.

Any person with an Employment Authorization Document can apply for a REAL ID card which will be temporary until its expiration date. (In this case you will also need to be in possession of a Social Security Number).

The REAL ID Act has been modified with some additions to it, so if you are not sure you are entitled to have this Identification card, we recommend you to ask for assistance to you local State Agency or to visit the DHS website.

Flying in a commercial aircraft after/before October 1st 2021.

Every person planning to fly around the States after October 1 2021, must keep in mind that a REAL ID will be mandatory to go through the checkpoint at the airport, if someone is not in possession of the new REAL ID, this person may be allowed to board and Aircraft by using the passport as an alternative way to be identified. Otherwise, if you plan to fly before this date, the DHS and the TSA will allow you to travel with all the current driver's license and identification cards issued by your State.

The REAL ID is not required by children under 18 years old travelling accompanied, in this case, a valid ID will be enough to cross the security at the airport.

If you are planning to cross borders between the States and Mexico or Canada, please bear in mind that the REAL ID is not accepted to cross the border, nor even works as a valid ID to travel in an International cruise, a passport instead will be necessary to allow you to make this international travel. You will have your REAL ID to only be used to travel inside the United States.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY STATE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REAL ID STANDARDS?

The DHS is working really hard with all the States to comply with the REAL ID by the deadline. In the case you find out yourself in the situation that by the time when October comes your States does not issue this new type of identification, you will have two options:

One of the possible Options for you is to report your situation to the DHS: THere will be some States that already applied for an extension of time to comply with all this new security standards, that’s why, if you are not sure your State had been granted an extension, you can ask the DHS about the situation so they can help you and asses you ASAP.

You can be granted with a regular ID card that does not comply with the REAL ID standards, in this case, you can make a good use of your ID, and it will be valid for certain purposes but NOT FOR OFFICIAL ONES (The ID must have an inscription informing that the card is not valid for "Official purposes"), so in case you need to board an aircraft for a regional flight for example, you will have to use your passport.

What is the Enhanced Driver's License:

If you live in New York, Washington, Minnesota, Michigan or Vermont, you may already have your enhanced driver's license. These kinds of cards are acceptable as Border-crossing documents and are only issued by the States of Washington, New York, Minnesota, Vermont and Michigan. The Secretary of Homeland Security established these cards as acceptable to enter the States by land and sea ports complying with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, this is due to the fact that this particular card is issued in a secure process, like the REAL ID ones, and that includes new technologies like a Radio Frequency Identification Chip.

Compliance with the REAL ID in Georgia