Read ID Act effective Oct. 1

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Oct. 1 is the final enforcement date for The REAL ID Act.

Passed by congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum-security standards for state-issued licenses and prohibits federal agencies from accepting identification from states not meeting the minimum standards.

Access to federal installations, nuclear power plants, and boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft will require a compliant ID. 

“Passports, Common Access Cards, and retiree IDs are already federally compliant,” said Master Sgt. Brandon Johnson, 66th Security Forces Squadron lead investigator.

However, if someone wants to bring a guest on the installation, the visitor’s ID must be compliant, he said.

“With a compliant ID, our security forces team will be able to scan the barcodes on the back of the license,” said Johnson. “The driver’s license will become the member’s visitor pass.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, personnel should visit their state’s licensing agency to get more information on the exact documentation required to obtain a REAL ID.

“This new process will be crucial in allowing security forces to expedite the base entry process while still maintaining security,” said Johnson.

More information on the REAL ID Act and how to obtain one can be found at www.dhs.gov/real-id.