Flying soon? Make sure you have a Real ID
Hoosiers planning to travel this summer should double check that they have a Real ID before boarding any flights. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
After years of delay, Hoosiers and other state residents will need a Real ID to pass through airport security and enter federal government buildings starting on May 7. In Indiana, a black star cutout in the upper right-hand corner signifies if a driver's license is Real ID compliant.
The law establishing a Real ID passed in 2005, following a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission to establish a national standard for government-issued identification, such as driver's licenses.
But implementation took longer than anticipated. Federal entities repeatedly extended the deadline for 14 years to give state motor vehicle departments time to comply, according to a 2022 NPR story.
An Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles spokesperson told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that Indiana started offering Real ID on Jan. 1, 2010. A recent CBS News analysis found that 81% of Indiana driver's licenses are compliant — which the agency attributed to 'slow and steady growth' over the years.
'Since the introduction of Real ID, the BMV has adhered to all federal mandates regarding the documentation required to apply for a Real ID credential,' said Sarah Dickerson, a communications and engagement manager, in a statement. 'We encourage Hoosiers who are interested to reference the Real ID Checklist on our website, since many specific documents are needed.'
Such documentation includes the following: proof of identity, proof of name or gender changes, proof of lawful status, proof of social security and proof of Indiana residency.
As detailed in a BMV list, this can include multiple other forms of identity, such as an unexpired U.S. passport, original birth certificate, social security cards, certificate of naturalization and more.
The requirements can be challenging for some to meet. For instance, a W-2 form can be proof of Indiana residency — but only if it includes the full, nine-digit social security number and not only the last four digits.
Married women or those who changed their name for another reason face another hurdle, especially those who married decades ago and must produce their original marriage certificate to prove their name change.
Dorothy Ballone, who changed her name seven decades ago, had her Real ID application rejected when she couldn't produce her original marriage certificate, she told a Rochester, New York TV station.
Neither the church where she got married nor the town hall kept records that far back.
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The rule also impacts those who transitioned to another gender, adoptees or couples who choose to hyphenate their last names.
The BMV documentation checklist includes a caveat at the bottom specifically for Hoosiers who fall into this category.
'If your current name does not match your identity document due to a name change … you may need to provide additional government-issued documents to support any or all name changes,' according to the footnote. 'For example, if you were born Jane Smith and then married Tom Cooper and your legal name is not Jane Cooper, you will need to bring your marriage license.'
Having a valid passport with your changed name would also meet the requirement.
Dickerson, with the BMV, urged Hoosiers in this category to work with their local branch to meet documentation requirements.
'Customers with complex situations face challenges similar to those they've had for years. This is seen more frequently with married women and those going through a divorce,' said Dickerson. 'Our branch staff are well-trained and skilled in completing Real ID transactions. Often, if a customer doesn't have all the proper documents, a staff member will explain what is needed to ensure they are able to complete the transaction next time.'
To learn more about Real ID and answer specific questions, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website or contact your local BMV branch.
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