The REAL ID Act, as described by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will take effect on May 3, 2023. Under the Real ID act, travelers must be REAL ID-compliant to board domestic flights and also to access particular federal facilities. The REAL ID initiative will change the way in which Americans travel and interact with government facilities and knowing how it affects you will help prepare you for its implications. Read on to learn about how the REAL ID requirements impact you and how an elder law attorney in California can help ensure your successful navigation of REAL ID when it is implemented.
The REAL ID Act Establishes Minimum Security Standards for License Issuance
The Department of Homeland Security explains that the purpose of the Act is to establish minimum security standards for the issuance and production of licenses. Particular government agencies are prohibited from accepting certain documents like driver’s licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet the REAL ID Act’s minimum requirements. The key purpose of the Act is to establish greater security minimums in terms of accessing some federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and also boarding federally regulated aircraft.
The REAL ID Act works in concert with the Department of Homeland Security, and as passed by Congress, the Department of Homeland Security is required to implement that Act in a fair, measured, and responsible way. If you have concerns over how the REAL ID Act might affect you, speaking to an experienced California elder law attorney can help outline the impact of the REAL ID Act on your life.
Some IDs Meet the REAL ID Requirement While Others Do Not
Knowing whether your state-issued ID meets REAL ID standards can be difficult to determine, given the many requirements in the Act. Some states have IDs that meet the standards, meaning that if you show up at the airport with an acceptable ID, you are boarding your flight. However, if you show up at the airport on the way to a much-anticipated trip with a non-compliant ID, your trip is going to be delayed, and your travel plans upset.
Oftentimes, your passport, if you have one, is sufficient for you to board domestic flights. But this is a very important document, and you may feel hesitant to bring it along with you on your domestic travels.
If you are traveling with children, the requirements under the REAL ID Act are also different. Often, individuals who are under the age of 18 need not have any identification if they are traveling alongside a companion. The many variations can be confusing.
Connect with an Elder Law Attorney Today to Discuss your REAL ID Act Concerns
Federal acts established by Congress are far-reaching and impactful across the entire nation. Knowing how the REAL ID Act impacts you specifically when it is meant to impact all Americans can be difficult. An experienced elder law lawyer can help frame the Act and how it will impact you and your everyday life, so that once it is implemented, you are not negatively impacted.
