The REAL ID law, passed in 2005, was a response to the 9/11 attacks--an effort to make state-issued identification more secure and harder to counterfeit. This law requires the use of REAL IDs for air travel and admittance to federal buildings.

People may obtain REAL IDs via an in-person visit to a state Department of Motor Vehicles. The bolstered security of a REAL ID comes with the following added requirements:

• Proof of identity and citizenship through one of the following: unexpired passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
• Proof of social security number with a social security card, a W-2 form, or a pay stub
• Proof of residency with a utility bill, mortgage statement, bank statement, or voter registration card

A REAL ID can be identified by a star in the upper right corner of the ID. The exact color of the star varies from state to state. Continue reading →