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 gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the power to set 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 federal 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 physical residence;
verification of the source documents provided by an applicant; and
security standards for the offices that issue licenses and identification cards.

Eventually, all U.S. residents will be required to show either a passport or state-issued identification that complies with Real ID to be able to board an aircraft, enter nuclear power plants or enter federal buildings where federal official identification is required.

This requirement goes into effect December 1, 2014, for those who will be under 50 years of age on that date. Those who are 50 or older on December 1, 2014, will have until December 1, 2017 to comply. These deadlines remain in effect as long as the resident's home state DMV (or equivalent licensing agency) meets the implementation benchmarks set forth by DHS.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

The Real ID Act requires U.S. residents to show proof of identity, date of birth, social security number, lawful status and physical residence one time at their home state DMV in order to obtain a state-issued Real ID driver license or identification card that is accepted for official federal purposes.

There is no need to rush. Your existing Nevada driver license or identification card will be accepted for federal purposes through December 31, 2009. It will likely be accepted beyond that date as long as the DMV meets the implementation benchmarks set by DHS.

You will not have to show proof of identity if your renewal is due in 2008 or 2009 and there is no advantage in doing so. Please renew by Internet or mail if you qualify. The DMV will not begin issuing compliant cards until 2010.

We will ask for your proof of identity at one of your normal license renewal dates between 2010 and 2017. Please wait for the DMV to specify the date. Information about the Real ID Act and what is needed will be included with your renewal notice once the DMV starts issuing Real-ID-compliant cards. You have until 2014 or 2017 as outlined above to obtain a Real-ID-compliant license or ID.

Get your identity documents ready. To obtain a Real ID compliant license or ID, you will have to show either a U.S.-issued birth certificate or a U.S. passport if you were born in the United States. along with your Social Security card. Those born outside the U.S. will have to show proper immigration documents as defined by the DHS.

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.

If you lack these documents, contact your state or county Vital Statistics Office or visit www.vitalchek.com and/or visit the Social Security Administration. You will also have to show proof of your Nevada residence address.

What if I can't comply? If you are not able to provide the proper documents to obtain a Real ID DL/ID, the DMV will issue you a license or ID card under the existing Nevada requirements that will permit you to operate a motor vehicle and provide identification documentation for purposes outside of the Real ID Act.

Please note that the law does not require you to obtain a Real ID card acceptable for official federal purposes. The federal government will accept a valid passport or a Military ID, along with other acceptable documentation for boarding aircraft and other purposes.

The Real ID Act in Nevada

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

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