Passports are a mainstay of proof of identity for global business organization travel, only fewer hold a passport than you may think. For many people traveling inside the The states on domestic flights they only need a valid driver's license for proof of identification. Subsequently all, non everyone travels internationally. If your employees only always travel domestically, they may not take a passport and have been using their driver's license to travel for concern. Up until recently, that was not a trouble. However, the rules of travel are changing, and a standard driver's license volition soon not be plenty for airport security checkpoints.

Here is what your employees need to know virtually the changes to the proof of identity and forms of identification requirements for domestic flights within the United States.

The Real ID Deed

In 2005, Congress passed a constabulary called the Existent ID Deed. Information technology set forth a variety of drome security measures that would be adopted as a minimum standard for state-issued identification, like driver'due south licenses. Whereas previously people could travel on domestic flights inside the United States and its territories with only a driver's license or country-issued identification carte, the new rules would crave travelers have an ID that meets REAL ID standards.

The rollout of these security changes is incremental just significant. Travelers will exist required to have a REAL ID driver'southward license for domestic travel by May 3, 2023 or some other acceptable form of ID.

Other acceptable forms of ID include:

  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. passport card
  • DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  • Permanent resident menu
  • Border crossing card
  • State-issued Enhanced Commuter's License
  • Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transportation worker identification credential
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • U.South. Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Source

You May Already Exist in Compliance

Some states became compliant with the Existent ID Act early on. "There are 23 states and territories that needn't worry — all are compliant with the REAL ID Deed, which means that travelers can keep to utilise their licenses indefinitely," writes Conde Nast Traveler. States already in compliance include:

• Alabama
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• Ohio
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

In addition, Conde Nast goes on, "A number of other states and territories will have to alter their licenses to comply with the federal standards from the Existent ID Act, but they have some time." Currently, there are five states or territories that are both not-compliant and have not received an extension:

• American Samoa
• Illinois
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Washington

Twenty-seven states and territories have received an extension in order to go compliant, meaning that travelers from these states have until at least January 22, 2018, to use their current state-issued driver's license or ID bill of fare.

Existent IDs Look Different

One of the biggest changes is that the information featured on driver'southward licenses and state-issued identification cards will go standardized. According to the REAL ID Act, each REAL ID card will need to list the person's full name, engagement of birth, gender, and primary residence. They will also need to include a digital front-facing photograph, an identification number, and the person's signature, in addition to security features, in order to prevent tampering or duplication. Compliant identification cards volition need to include technology that makes the cards scannable.

REAL IDs also look dissimilar from traditional state-issued driver'southward licenses and identification cards. In addition to listing all the standardized information noted above, there will be a star in the top corner of the identification card.

Alternatives to Existent IDs

While Existent IDs will become a standard in the United States, there are alternatives your employees tin can use until they receive their REAL IDs. "A number of other documents can too be used equally a REAL ID. A valid U.S. passport book or passport card tin can be used as Existent ID, as tin can valid passports from strange countries," explains Passport Info. "Permanent Resident Cards, Trusted Traveler cards, and valid U.South. armed forces IDs likewise count as a Existent ID." Again, these alternative documents will permit your employees to travel domestically later the Existent ID requirement has gone into effect, merely they are non a substitute. In add-on, Passport Info writes that "Enhanced Driver's Licenses, which demonstrate U.S. citizenship, tin can be used for REAL ID purposes."

In society to get ahead of the Department of Homeland Security and the necessary forms of identification to fly inside the United states of america, it's recommended to check your passport'south expiration engagement. If your passport is expired it will exist considered not a valid passport and therefore will not be acceptable proof of identification. Passports are expert for ten years, so make certain your employees' passports are non expired. When you renew a passport, you will demand to make full out a renewal form, obtain a new passport photo from a certified passport photo facility, and you will need your most recent passport.

If you or an employee has never applied for a US passport, they will have to supply a multifariousness of identity documents. To obtain a U.s. Passport you lot will need proof of identity and citizenship with a nativity certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship besides as nowadays another accepted class of ID.

Enhanced Commuter'south Licenses Are Non REAL IDs

Enhanced driver's licenses (EDLs) are state-issued identification cards that are issued subsequently an all-encompassing process that includes collecting certain biometric information. In addition to acting equally a commuter'southward license, EDLs allow travelers to visit neighboring foreign countries, including Canada, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean, as long as they are traveling through a sea or land port of entry. They include two unique security measures: a vicinity Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scrap and a Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) or barcode that tin exist scanned as a backup to the RFID engineering science. EDLs are not Real IDs. They cost more than REAL IDs and are only bachelor to people who are both licensed drivers and U.Southward. citizens.

Await times for the DMV take increased with the loftier need for travelers to upgrade their electric current valid driver's license to a Real ID commuter'due south license.

New TSA ID travel regulations could cause serious issues for travelers in the coming years – only don't worry! There is plenty of fourth dimension to become prepared and to exist sure that your business travel isn't afflicted past the new REAL ID standards.