This informative article first appeared on the PCMA website and we are happy to share it with you.
If you look in your wallet, you’ll probably find what you consider to be your real ID — a driver’s license or state identification card. However, the Transportation Security Administration is more concerned about REAL ID, a program passed by Congress in 2005 that sets security standards for various forms of identification. Starting on Jan. 22, 2018, some state-issued driver’s licenses won’t meet the requirements of the program. If your identification is issued by one of the following states, you may encounter some challenges getting through an airport security checkpoint — even for a domestic flight:
Kentucky
Maine
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Washington
So what should you do? Your best bet to avoid any potential issues is to make sure that your passport — which adheres to REAL ID requirements — is updated. According to the State Department, the current processing time for routine service ranges from six to eight weeks, but that time may speed up soon. The slow season for renewals runs between September and December. You can find all the information for a first-time passport application or renewal here.