The Virginia DMV announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has determined that Virginia’s REAL ID program is fully compliant with federal requirements.
In October, DMV began issuing driver’s licenses and identification cards in accordance with the requirements of the REAL ID Act and regulations. As part of its process, DHS conducts a thorough review of each state’s REAL ID program and makes a determination as to whether it meets federal requirements.
DHS recently informed Virginia that it had satisfied these requirements. Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, the federal government will require a REAL ID-compliant form of identification or another federally approved form of ID, such as a passport, in order to board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal facility or military base.
DMV’s proactive roll-out of REAL ID will create a seamless transition, enabling Virginians who fly domestically or need to access secure federal facilities or military bases to continue to do so after October 2020 with a Virginia REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID. More than 100,000 Virginians have already obtained a REAL ID since October.
“We are proud that DHS has lauded our program with REAL ID certification,” said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. “But our work is not yet done. We estimate that 2.6 million Virginians will visit us in the next two years to obtain a REAL ID. We will be working hard to serve you, but we need your help. Visit our website, and come prepared with the documents you’ll need to have a successful visit. You may also want to plan your visit in January, April, or May, and avoid February and March – two of our busiest months of the year.”
The documents needed to apply for a REAL ID are readily accessible to Virginians and are similar to those needed when individuals applied for their original Virginia driver’s license or ID. Many Virginians will bring their:
- U.S. birth certificate or unexpired U.S. Passport
- Social Security Card or W-2 form
- Utility bill (not more than two months old)
- Virginia driver’s license, commercial driver’s license, learner’s permit, or DMV-issued ID card
Documents must display the applicant’s name and current Virginia residential street address. If the name listed on your proof of identity document does not match your current full legal name, you must present documents such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree that connect the names. Multiple documents may be necessary if your name has changed more than once.
There are a variety of acceptable documents; a complete list is available at dmvNOW.com/REALID.
You may also use DMV’s interactive document guide. Since REAL ID is optional, many Virginians may decide they don’t want or need one. Those Virginians may continue to use their driver’s license or ID as they always have.
The next time they renew their credential, they will receive a license or ID that displays “Federal Limits Apply.”
Should they need to board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal facility after October 2020, they may use another federally approved form of ID.
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