The Real ID Act In Nevada
Passed by Congress in May of 2005, the Real ID Act was part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and the Tsunami Relief Act. It is not Nevada law but federal law that sets identification standards for state driver licenses if those licenses are to be used as identification when boarding an aircraft, entering a nuclear power plant or entering a federal building where identification is required.
The Real ID Act is intended to combat terrorism, identity theft, and other crimes by strengthening the integrity and security of state-issued identification. The Act calls on states to implement a set of minimum national standards in several areas:
- information and security features that must be incorporated into each card;
- proof of identity, date of birth, social security number, lawful status, and primary residence address;
- verification of the source documents provided by an applicant; and
- increased security and privacy of personal information collected when applying for a driver’s license or identification card.
The documents required to prove identity, date of birth, social security number and lawful status under Real ID are documents the DMV already requires, as set forth in Nevada Revised Statues 483.290. What would change under Real ID is that the DMV will accept only those documents that can be verified. Additionally, the DMV would require proof of your Nevada address such as a mortgage, lease or utility bill.
What You Need to Know Now
The Nevada DMV is not issuing any Real ID compliant license or ID. See Proof of Identity and Residency and the Driver License Home Page for current requirements.
Under the Real ID Act, motorists and ID card holders are required to show proof of identity, date of birth, social security number, lawful status and physical residence address one time in order to obtain a license or ID card that is accepted for official federal purposes.
See Nevada Proof of Identity. The Real ID Act standards differ only slightly from the existing requirements.
The biggest change for Nevada residents is that the DMV would require two documents proving Nevada residency. Utility bills, mortgage statements, rental agreements, and bank statement with the correct residential address are all acceptable.
Anyone whose current name differs from that on their birth certificate will also have to show proof of the legal name change. A Marriage Certificate is sufficient for married women. Those who have been through multiple name changes because of marriage and divorce will have to show proof of each change. This is already required in Nevada.
If you lack these documents, contact your state or county Vital Statistics Office, an online records service and/or the Social Security Administration. You may wish to get your documents ready even though Real ID is not in effect.
Links & News
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Real ID Final Rule
DHS News Release (Final Rules) - January 11, 2008
National Governors Association Joint Press Release (Final Rules) - January 11, 2008
Nevada Granted Extension (DMV News Release) - January 28, 2008
Governor Signs Emergency Driver’s License Regulations (DMV News Release) - December 9, 2009
ASI Licenses and ID Cards Debut in Las Vegas Monday - February 19, 2010
DMV Adjusts New License Rollout Schedule - February 26, 2010
DMV Asks Motorists to Wait for a New License - March 8, 2010
DMV to Receive Award for Driver’s Licenses March 22 - March 19, 2010
Hearings on Driver License Regulations Rescheduled - April 27, 2010
Advanced Secure Issuance Myths, Facts and Answers - April 30, 2010