Does your Ohio driver’s license or state-issued identification card have a star near the top right corner? If so, congratulations, you already possess a REAL ID and can stop reading. If your ID does not have a star, or you know people who are also starless, there’s no need to panic. There’s no penalty for not having one. And there are workarounds for the few situations in which the new IDs are required.
What is REAL ID?
REAL ID is not a separate identification card, it’s a standard set by the federal government for state-issued IDs such as driver’s licenses. The federal law was passed in 2005, but implementation was repeatedly delayed for various reasons. (USA Today has that story.) But as of May 7, an ID card must be REAL ID-compliant if you’re using it to board an airplane, enter a nuclear facility or visit some federal buildings, like Department of Homeland Security offices.
Most federal offices do not require a Real ID to enter. If you’re planning to visit one, call ahead and ask.
That’s it?
That’s it.
What documents do I need for a REAL ID?
The process is the same as obtaining an Ohio driver’s license or state ID, you just need to bring more documents to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. This list on the BMV web site shows which documents will satisfy the five categories of proof required: full legal name, date of birth, legal presence in the country, Social Security number and Ohio address. (The list is also in Spanish and Somali.)
The BMV also offers a checklist of acceptable documents, which is easier to read on a phone than the PDFs linked above.
If your current name doesn’t match your birth certificate, you’ll need whichever of these applies:
• An original or certified copy of a marriage certificate or marriage license
• A certified copy of a decree of divorce, dissolution or annulment of marriage
• A certified copy of a court-ordered name change
If you’ve been married more than once, you may need to bring documentation from each marriage and/or divorce to show the progression to your current legal name.
One other difference: You won’t walk out of the BMV with your new compliant ID. It will be mailed to you. You will be given an interim ID, but, according to the web site, that “serves as confirmation that an application is pending. It is not a form of identification.”
Does it cost more in Ohio?
No, it costs the same as a standard license.
Can I fly now without a REAL ID?
Yes, you can use a current passport or one of the other documents on this list from the Transportation Security Administration.
For more information, check out the Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions page.
