Have You Updated Your I.D.?

By October 1, 2020 all United States citizens will need to have updated their Identification cards in order to fly.  

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Have you heard about the new Identification cards? These new identification cards are called “REAL IDs.” It is said that by October 1, 2020, any American that uses airplanes as a mode of transportation will need a REAL ID. The new ID card was put in effect by the REAL ID Act that was passed in 2005. According to an article published by Upgraded Points, LLC., the REAL ID Act was “formulated in the wake of September 11 and passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act was passed to ‘set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.’” Now, nearly 15 years later, the act will finally be fully implemented beginning October 1. After October 1, 2020, these new cards will be needed to travel throughout the United States for anybody 18 and over. The REAL IDs will also be needed to visit military bases or any other secured federal facilities. Citizens will have to apply for these REAL IDs, while making sure they have all the right and required documents to obtain the REAL ID. The office of the Secretary of State has put together a REAL ID checklist in order to help citizens through the application process. What sets the REAL IDs aside from a regular ID is that in most states the REAL IDs have either a gold or black star on the front of the card. The gold or black stars on the IDs show as a sign of compliance with the law. You'll still need a passport to fly internationally but as far as inside the country you’ll need this new REAL ID or another form of a TSA-Approved ID.  According to a Transportation Security Administration blog, if you don’t have a REAL ID after October 1, TSA will accept “a valid passport, state-issued enhanced driver’s license or U.S. military ID.” If you show up and you do not have a REAL ID or another TSA-approved ID you will not be permitted through the security checkpoint, which means you won’t be able to fly. The REAL IDs are available now, so all citizens should make sure to have one by October 1, 2020. Though it is highly recommended that all citizens begin the process of obtaining these REAL IDs.