Employees, students should be aware of Real ID situation
May 2, 2017
University staff, faculty and students should be aware of an upcoming change in the
identification required to enter U.S. military bases and of how legislation pending
in the state Legislature could affect the requirement.
Starting June 6, 2017, military installations will require a Real ID, as defined by federal law, to enter.
Alaska state driver's licenses and personal identifications are not considered Real
ID.
The Legislature is considering a bill that would bring Alaska's licenses into compliance
with the federal law. If the state bill is passed and signed into law, then the June
6 deadline will be extended to give Alaska time to issue licenses that qualify as
Real ID. There is a good chance it will pass before the end of this legislative session; however,
that may not occur before late June, in which case the Real ID requirement could be
in effect at military bases for a few weeks at least.
Depending upon the bill's passage, a similar problem with access to airline flights
could arise early next year. On Jan. 22, 2018, the Transportation Security Administration will begin requiring a Real ID at airport
security gates.
Currently, passports are the most commonly used method of identification that qualifies
as a Real ID, but there are others that will work, including:
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents, and Department of Defense civilians)
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- DHS-designated enhanced driver's license
- Airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
- Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
- Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 Personal Identity Verification card (for federal employees and contractors)
- 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.S. Merchant Mariner Credential