Alaska Residents Required to Get REAL ID Driver’s Licenses by Next Year
Alaska residents who plan to board a commercial flight or enter a federal building will soon need to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card. The deadline for obtaining a REAL ID in Alaska has been extended until October 1, 2021, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. After this date, standard Alaska driver’s licenses will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification for air travel or access to federal facilities.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The goal of the Act was to create a more secure form of identification that could be used for federal purposes. In order to comply with the Act, states were required to upgrade their driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards to meet federal standards for security and authentication.
The new REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards feature several security enhancements, including a gold star in the upper right-hand corner. This gold star indicates that the cardholder has provided the necessary documents to verify their identity, citizenship, and residency. The REAL ID cards also include features such as holograms, barcodes, and watermarks to prevent counterfeiting and fraud.
In order to obtain a REAL ID in Alaska, residents must visit a Division of Motor Vehicles office in person and provide the following documents:
– Proof of identity, such as a valid passport or birth certificate
– Proof of Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form
– Proof of Alaska residency, such as a utility bill or rental agreement
– Any legal name change documents, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree
Alaska residents who already have a valid U.S. passport or passport card can use these documents in place of a REAL ID for air travel. However, those who do not have a passport will need to obtain a REAL ID if they wish to board a commercial flight after October 1, 2021.
The cost of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card in Alaska is $40, which is the same as the cost of a standard license. Residents who are renewing their license or applying for a duplicate can choose to upgrade to a REAL ID at the same time for no additional fee, as long as they bring the required documentation.
Alaska is one of the last states to implement the REAL ID program, with the deadline for compliance extended multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Homeland Security initially set a deadline of October 1, 2020, for all states to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. However, this deadline was extended to October 1, 2021, to give states more time to prepare and to account for the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Alaska residents who are unsure whether they need a REAL ID should check their current driver’s license or identification card for a star in the upper right-hand corner. If the card has a star, it is already REAL ID-compliant and does not need to be upgraded. If the card does not have a star, residents should plan to visit a Division of Motor Vehicles office to obtain a REAL ID before the October 1, 2021 deadline.
In addition to air travel, REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses will also be required for entry into certain federal facilities, such as military bases, nuclear power plants, and secure federal buildings. The REAL ID Act does not apply to voting or accessing federal benefits, so residents do not need a REAL ID for these purposes.
Overall, the transition to REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses in Alaska is expected to improve security and reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud. By verifying the identity and citizenship of cardholders, the new cards will make it more difficult for criminals and terrorists to obtain fraudulent identification. Alaska residents are encouraged to plan ahead and obtain a REAL ID before the October 1, 2021 deadline to avoid any disruptions in their travel plans.
