Real ID Deadline In VA, DC Delayed A Year By Coronavirus

Deb Belt
Updated ·4 min read

This article originally appeared on the Arlington Patch

VIRGINIA — Just as leaders in DC and Virginia were fretting that residents wouldn't meet the Real ID deadline to have driver's licenses and state IDs meet federal security standards, the new coronavirus outbreak stepped in. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security said that the new date to be compliant is a year later: October 1, 2021.

“The federal, state and local response to the spread of the coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline," said Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf in a news release. "Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts. States across the country are temporarily closing or restricting access to DMVs. This action will preclude millions of people from applying for and receiving their REAL ID.”

Virginia has closed DMV customer service centers until April 2 to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

You'll need the new ID, with a star in a circle in the upper right corner, if you plan to fly or enter any military base or federal building as of Oct. 1, 2021. Real IDs will be needed to board a domestic commercial flight as of Oct. 1, unless you have a valid passport or military ID card. Already some military bases may no longer accept non-Real ID compliant credentials which display "Federal Limits Apply."

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Still, many residents continue to have questions about the law's requirements.

Here are eight common Real ID questions answered:

Do I have to get a Real ID?
No. Real IDs are optional. If you have a passport, you can use that form of identification to board flights and obtain entry into federal facilities. Real IDs are not required to drive in DC or Virginia.

Do I need a REAL ID to vote?
No. You do not need a Real ID to vote.

How and where do I get a REAL ID?
In Virginia, you must visit the Department of Motor Vehicles in person to apply for a Real ID. Customers can visit any DMV customer service center or take advantage of DMV's mobile operations to apply. After you've received your first REAL ID compliant credential, you may renew online according to the standard schedule.

In the District of Columbia, bring your completed application form to a DC DMV service center. A list of service centers is available here: DC DMV Service Center Locations.
You may not get a DC Real ID drivers license if you have outstanding debts to the District or unpaid fines for moving traffic violations in other jurisdictions.

What documents do I need?
Obtaining a Real ID requires the following:

  • One proof of identity

  • One proof of legal presence

  • Two proofs of Virginia residency

  • One proof of Social Security number

  • Current driver's license, if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state, territory or jurisdiction

  • If proof documents contain different names (for example, if the last name on a birth certificate is different than the name on a payroll check stub), it's necessary to supply documents showing proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order.

See all documents accepted to obtain Real ID in Virginia.
Find documents accept in DC to obtain Real ID.

How much does it cost?

In Virginia, Real ID credentials are available for a one-time $10 fee, in addition to the standard driver's license or identification card fees. For example, a standard driver's license renewal costs $32, while a standard driver's license replacement costs $20.

You can find the range of fees for DC residents on the District Department of Motor Vehicles site.

What does a REAL ID look like?
The visible difference between a REAL ID-compliant product and a standard-issue ID is that a REAL ID is marked with a gold star. You can see examples of what it looks like here.

Can minors get a REAL ID?
Yes, Real ID-compliant versions are available for minors. The documents required to get an initial learner's permit, driver's license or photo ID card (birth certificate or passport, Social Security card and two proofs of residency) are the same documents that are required to opt into Real ID.

Does my child need a REAL ID to board an airplane?
The TSA does not currently require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States.