Real ID Deadline Reminder For Thanksgiving Fliers In DC, Virginia

WASHINGTON, DC — Residents of the District and Virginia who fly out of Reagan National or Dulles International airports this Thanksgiving are being urged to get their Real ID before the 2020 deadline. You'll need the new ID, with a star in a circle in the upper right corner, if you plan to fly or enter any military base or federal building as of Oct. 1, 2020.

Real ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards from the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland have a small star in the upper right corner to indicate the credentials are acceptable for these federal purposes. Some military bases have already stopped accepting non-Real ID compliant credentials which display "Federal Limits Apply."

As the deadline approaches, the Virginia DMV has increased staffing at customer service centers. The agency also has expanded its mobile outreach program, which travels throughout the state providing Real IDs.

Many residents in the National Capital Region still need a Real ID-compliant license, but haven’t yet gotten one, the Transportation Security Administration said Thursday.

“To assist with the Real ID compliance process, DC DMV recently began offering District residents, whose credentials expire on or after October 1, 2020, the opportunity to renew early,” said DC DMV Director Gabriel Robinson at a news conference. “DC DMV is taking a phased approach and notifying residents to schedule an appointment for early renewal.”

Related:

As Real ID Deadline Approaches Virginia DMV Increases Staff

“We’ve added staff, expanded our mobile operations and renovated our offices to better serve Virginians,” said Richard D. Holcomb, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. “Because Real ID is optional in the Commonwealth, you get to decide if it is right for you. But, if you want to get a Real ID, don’t wait until the last minute. November and December are great months to visit Virginia DMV. Prepare yourself by visiting dmvNOW.com/REALID prior to your visit and you’ll have a successful trip to DMV.”

While District of Columbia and Maryland residents are required to get a Real ID-compliant license when they apply for a drivers license, Virginia residents can upgrade to a Real ID license or stick with a standard driver’s license when they get a new license. But any holder of a license that doesn't carry the star will be barred from boarding a flight or accessing secure federal facilities as of October 2020, the TSA warned.

Obtaining a Real ID requires the following:

• One proof of identity and legal presence
• Two proofs of state residency
• A Social Security card
• Current driver's license, if you are applying to exchange one issued by the District or a state.
• If proof documents contain different names (for example, if the last name on a birth certificate is different than the name on a payroll check stub), it's necessary to supply documents showing proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order.

For a complete list of all required documents to obtain a Real ID, visit dmvNOW.com/REALID.
Find a list of full-service Virginia DMV offices, and their hours, here.

Even if you have the newly-designed driver's license or identification card, you may need to submit additional documents in order to be Real ID compliant. More information can be found on the Virginia DMV Real ID website.

DC residents can find more information on the Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Transportation Security Administration officers who check tickets at airports will not allow travelers into the checkpoint without a Real ID license or another form of acceptable ID after Oct. 1, 2020.

TSA has a one-minute video that provides information about flying with a Real ID.