By Mary O’KEEFE

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, was enacted via the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s license,” according to the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS).

Due to the COVID-19 response requiring the Dept. of Motor Vehicles to close facilities, the deadline to apply for the REAL ID has been extended to Oct. 1, 2021, a year from the original deadline.

“The federal REAL ID Act places new rules on which forms of identification may be used to board flights within the United States (U.S.) and enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other federal facilities. A California issued REAL ID driver license or identification card meets these new requirements and is marked with a gold bear and star.

“Applying for a REAL ID requires proofs of identity, social security number (SSN) if eligible, California residency, and a trip to a DMV office,” according to DHS.

  Mary Okeefe