What is REAL ID?

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, and created federal standards for the issuance of official identification cards like driver’s licenses. When the law is fully implemented, you will need to have an ID that meets REAL ID standards in order to enter Federal facilities, military bases, or nuclear power plants. Most importantly for  travelers, you will need a REAL ID in order to board any flight in the US, domestic or international.

When will REAL ID go into effect?

As of today – October 11, 2017 – only about half of US states and territories have complied with REAL ID standards for their driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards. The remainder of the states and territories had been given extensions, extra time to update their process of issuing ID cards. The big news is that all those extensions expired on October 10, 2017!

Does this mean that if your license isn’t a REAL ID, you won’t be able to board your domestic flight tomorrow? No. The Department of Homeland Security is giving a grace period to the non-compliant states. Until January 22, 2018, the REAL ID requirement won’t be enforced for TSA security at the airport. You can keep using your regular license until then.

Even on January 22, you are likely to be allowed to continue to use your current license, even if it isn’t REAL ID. All of the states whose extensions expired have applied for an additional extension. As of this writing, a new extension has already been granted to the State of Virginia. Virginians can now keep using their non-REAL ID licenses at the airport until October 10, 2018.

You can check the current status of your state below, to find out if your state has already started issuing REAL ID licenses.

My state issues REAL ID licenses. I have nothing to worry about, right?

Not so fast! If your driver’s license was issued several years ago, it might not actually be a REAL ID. You can check by looking for a gold star on your license. These are usually at the top right corner of your license. If you don’t have a star, you can renew your license to get a new one that will be REAL ID.

My state doesn’t issue REAL ID licenses. Is there anything else I can use as REAL ID?

Driver’s licenses aren’t the only form of REAL ID out there. You can also use your passport book or passport card as REAL ID. Other accepted identification documents include military ID cards (including military dependent cards), Global Entry or other Trusted Traveler cards, or an Enhanced Drivers License issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington.

State by State Review – Is Your State ID a REAL ID?

• Alabama issues REAL IDs
  
• Alaska does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• American Samoa does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Arizona issues REAL IDs
  
• Arkansas issues REAL IDs
  
• California does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Colorado issues REAL IDs
  
• Connecticut issues REAL IDs
  
• Delaware issues REAL IDs
  
• District of Columbia issues REAL IDs
• Florida issues REAL IDs
• Georgia issues REAL IDs
  
• Guam does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Hawaii issues REAL IDs
  
• Idaho does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Illinois does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Indiana issues REAL IDs
  
• Iowa issues REAL IDs
  
• Kansas issues REAL IDs
  
• Kentucky does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Louisiana does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Maine does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Maryland issues REAL IDs
  
• Massachusetts does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Michigan does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Minnesota does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Mississippi issues REAL IDs
• Missouri does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Montana does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Nebraska issues REAL IDs
  
• Nevada issues REAL IDs
  
• New Hampshire does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• New Jersey does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• New Mexico issues REAL IDs
  
• New York does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• North Carolina issues REAL IDs
  
• North Dakota does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Northern Marianas Islands does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Ohio issues REAL IDs
  
• Oklahoma does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Oregon does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Pennsylvania does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• Puerto Rico does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Rhode Island does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• South Carolina does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• South Dakota issues REAL IDs
  
• Tennessee issues REAL IDs
  
• Texas issues REAL IDs
• Utah issues REAL IDs
  
• Vermont issues REAL IDs
  
• Virgin Islands does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
• Virginia does not issue REAL IDs, but has been granted an extension until October 10, 2018
  
• Washington does not issue REAL IDs, and is under review for an extension
  
• West Virginia issues REAL IDs
  
• Wisconsin issues REAL ID
• Wyoming issues REAL IDs
  

The post REAL ID: Identification Requirements Changing for Domestic Flights appeared first on G3Passports.

Christmas and midterms are now behind us. Across the US, high school and college students are making plans for their spring break vacations. If you’re one of them, read on and make sure that you’ve got the passport you need!

Do You Need a Passport for Your Spring Break Trip?

Whether you need a passport — and what kind of passport you need — will be determined by where you are going and how you are getting there!

Flying Within the United States

When you think about spring break, you can’t help but think about Florida! Are you headed to the epic spring break parties in Daytona Beach and Miami? Or are you flying to Orlando to explore the theme parks? No matter where you are going, you are going to need to show official identification in order to board your flight to the Sunshine State. Your driver’s license will work, but what if you don’t have a license yet? You can use a valid passport book or passport card instead.

ID requirements for domestic flights will be even more strict for next year’s spring break. Next January, the US government will start enforcing REAL ID requirements at airports. If you don’t have a REAL ID certified driver’s license, you will need to use your passport to catch your flight!

Driving to Mexico

Not going to Florida this year? Chances are high you’re headed to the other iconic spring break destination, Mexico! You must have a valid passport to travel to Mexico. If you will be entering and departing Mexico by land, you can use a valid passport book or passport card.

Are you more of a snow bunny than a beach bum? The same requirements apply if you are driving into Canada for a ski trip. You’ll need to have a valid passport book or passport card to enter and depart Canada by land.

Taking a Cruise

Cruises are a great way to make the most of your spring break! Although you don’t technically need to have a passport book for “closed loop” cruises to Bermuda, the Bahamas, or some other Caribbean destinations, most cruise lines do want you to have your valid passport book with you. (“Closed loop” cruises are cruises that start and end at the same US port.) It’s a good idea to have a valid passport book in case you need to fly internationally in an unexpected situation. For instance, if you miss the boat at one of the cruise stops and need to fly to the next port of call, or if there is an emergency and you need to fly home, you would need to have a passport book.

Flying Internationally

Any time you fly internationally, you must have a valid passport book! It doesn’t matter what your destination is — Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, Tanzania, Russia, anywhere — all international travel by air requires a valid passport book.

How to Get a Passport for Your Spring Break Travel

Need to get a passport in time for your spring vacation? No need to worry, G3 can help you get a passport in plenty of time for your trip! But do you know what kind of passport service you will need?

If You Have Never Been Issued a Passport…

• Are you age 16 or older? You will need to use the New Adult Passport service.
• Are you age 15 or younger? You will need to use the Minor Passport service.

If You Have an Expired or Expiring Passport…

• In case your most recent passport was issued after you turned 16, you will need a Passport Renewal.
• If your most recent passport was issued before you turned 16, and you are now over age 16, you will use the New Adult Passport service.
• If you are still age 15 or younger, you will need to use the Minor Passport service.

And If You Can’t Find Your Passport…

• Lost your passport? You will need to use the Lost Passport Replacement procedure.

No matter where you are heading, or what kind of passport you need, G3 can help you get the passport you need for your ultimate spring break!

The post Passports for Your Spring Break Travel appeared first on G3Passports.

Passport cards have been an option for US citizens since 2008, but they are still not as well known or well understood as the traditional passport books.  Today, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about passport cards and show you how you can get a passport card along with your next passport renewal.

What is a Passport Card?

A passport card is a card the size of a driver’s license that is issued by the US State Department.  Like a passport book, it proves your identity and US citizenship. They are valid for ten years for adults, and five years for children age 15 and younger.

How Can a Passport Card Be Used?

Passport cards can be used for any identification purpose inside the United States, such as job applications, buying alcohol, or checking in to a doctor’s office or hospital.  Most importantly, your passport card is an official form of REAL ID. The REAL ID Act of 2005 set federal standards for identification cards.  When it is fully implemented, you’ll need to show federally-approved ID to enter government buildings or to go through TSA security at the airport.  Not all driver’s licenses meet REAL ID standards, but your passport card will always be accepted as official identification for domestic air travel.

Although the passport card is great for flying inside the US — especially for children, who are too young to have driver’s licenses — it is not valid for any international air travel. You’ll need a passport book any time you are flying to a destination outside the United States.

Passport cards can be used for land and sea travel between the US and Mexico, Canada, and certain Caribbean nations.  It’s perfect for people who frequently drive to Canada or Mexico, since it fits conveniently in your wallet!

Requirements to Get a Passport Card With Your Passport Renewal

If you want to get a card along with your next passport renewal, make note of the following requirements:

• Passport Application Form DS-82. When you fill out your passport renewal application form online, you’ll come to a page called “Passport Products and Fees.” On that page, make sure to select that you want both a passport book and card.  On the printed version of the application, this option appears at the very top of the first page of the application.
• Government Passport Fees. Your passport card will cost an additional $30.  When applying for expedited passport renewal service through G3passports.com, your government fee for both a passport book renewal and passport card will be $200.
• One Photograph. You only need to submit one photograph with your application for a passport renewal and passport card.  Your photo will be scanned and printed onto both the book and the card.

When Will I Get My Passport Card?

The US State Department doesn’t always provide the same type of expedited processing for passport cards as they do for passport books.  When you apply for your passport renewal through G3, your passport book will be processed and returned to you within the time frame that you have selected.  However, your new passport card may take longer to be issued, and will be sent to you under separate cover.

Can I Renew a Passport Card?

Yes, passport cards can be renewed just like passport books!  If you get a passport book and card at the same time, they will expire at the same time.  You’ll need to submit both documents when you do your next renewal.  Your old passport card will be marked cancelled by having one corner clipped off.  Your old card and your old book will both be returned to you.

Any other questions?  Ask us in the comments!

The post Get a Passport Card With Your Passport Renewal appeared first on G3Passports.

You May Need a Passport to… Get a Driver’s License

The REAL ID Act of 2005 set national standards for state-issued driver’s licenses. In order to get a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, you now need to show conclusive proof of your identity and citizenship. If you have a valid passport, this will be easy. If you don’t have a passport, you’ll need to provide a lot more documents in order to get your driver’s license.

You May Need a Passport to… Board a Domestic Flight

Starting in 2016, you will need to show REAL ID compliant identification in order to get through TSA security to board both domestic and international flights. If you are flying internationally, you will have to have a Passport Book, but even for domestic flights, you may need to pull out your Passport Book or Passport Card. Residents of Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and New York are particularly affected, as their states don’t yet issue REAL ID driver’s licenses. If you live in any other state, you may need to use a passport if you haven’t renewed your driver’s license in several years and still have a non-REAL ID license. You can check your license by looking to see if there is a star in one of the upper corners. If you don’t have a star, you’re going to need your passport to get on your flight!

You May Need a Passport to… Buy Alcohol

You’re probably used to pulling out your driver’s license to prove your age when you order a glass of merlot at a restaurant or pick up a six-pack of beer at the convenience store. However, you may run into problems if you are a twenty-something who still has a vertical driver’s license. Some states, like New Mexico or Arizona, have a “vertical license ban” that forbids them from selling alcohol to anyone with a vertical driver’s license, even if the birthdate shows that you are over 21.

We have also heard about travelers from smaller jurisdictions like the District of Columbia who have been denied alcohol when traveling in the US. Store clerks in other states weren’t familiar enough with the license to be certain it was real.

Your passport is conclusive proof of your age… we’ll toast to that!

The post Staying in the US? You May Still Need a Passport! appeared first on G3Passports.