TSA at Dallas Love Field and the Texas Department of Public Safety remind Texas residents of the October 1, 2020 REAL ID Deadline

DAL REAL ID Story
Local Press Release
Friday, October 18, 2019

DALLAS - The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) today reminded Texas residents that starting Oct. 1, 2020, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board a flight at all U.S. airports.

Texas has been issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards since October 2016. To determine if a Texas driver license is REAL ID-compliant, look for the cutout of a star in a gold background in the upper right-hand corner of the license.

“All passengers flying within the U.S. will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of REAL ID-complaint identification to board a plane starting Oct. 1, 2020,” said Amy Williams, TSA DAL Federal Security Director. “A lot of Texans already have a REAL ID, but I want to remind Love Field and DFW travelers who don’t have one to make plans to get one now, instead of waiting until the last minute.”

Signs are currently posted at DAL, DFW and airports around the country reminding the public of the October 1, 2020 deadline. In addition, TSA Transportation Security Officers are advising passengers who come to a security screening checkpoint without a REAL ID about the 2020 deadline.

Travelers who do not have a REAL ID may use another form of acceptable documentation, such as a valid passport or military ID, or another ID from this list of acceptable IDs. A REAL ID also will be required to gain access to secure federal facilities, including military bases, nuclear facilities and some federal offices starting Oct. 1, 2020.

“Texans have multiple options to receive a REAL ID compliant card by the deadline. We have been reaching out to customers whose driver license or identification card expires after the October 1, 2020 deadline,” said Amanda Arriaga, TXDPS Chief of the Driver License Division. “Customers may have the option to renew early or to request a duplicate card. Visit Texas.gov/goldstar to determine which option is best for you. For customers whose card expires before October 1, 2020, you will receive a REAL ID compliant card when you renew.”

If your card expires after October 1, 2020, you have multiple options:

  • Do you have a passport? If so, you may choose to use that as your REAL ID credential.
  • Does your card expire between October 2020 and October 2022? You can renew up to two years ahead of your expiration date. Go to Texas.gov to see if you can renew online.
  • If your card expires between October 2020 and October 2022, you can request a duplicate at Texas.gov. You will be provided a REAL ID compliant duplicate, which will remain valid until it’s time for you to renew.

If your card expires after October 1, 2022, you have multiple options:

  • Do you have a passport? If so, you may choose to use that as your REAL ID credential.
  • You can mail in a form to request a duplicate Driver License or ID card, or
  • You can visit Texas.gov to request a duplicate Driver License or ID card.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act complies with the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards for official purposes, such as at airport security checkpoints. The regulations established the deadline of October 1, 2020, to ensure full enforcement of the REAL ID Act. States have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission.

More information and Frequently Asked Questions on REAL ID can be found at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs

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