Before boarding your next flight, it’s important to remember proper identification, and if your fall plans involve flying you’ll need to add a Real ID to the list. Beginning May 3, 2023, all flights will require every adult to provide a Real ID-compliant or state-issued enhanced driver’s license.
The countdown is on…
Will your license fly on May 3, 2023?
About the Federal Mandate
In order to ensure airports are being as safe as possible, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require passengers to present a Real ID-compliant driver’s license before they are able to pass through security. These new IDs will feature a star in the upper right corner and will require more stringent proof of identity, compared to applying for a standard license.
Beginning May 3, 2023, every passenger intending to board an airplane must present their Real ID as identification for domestic flights and at certain federal facilities. Any passenger without a Real ID license will be turned away unless they have a passport. In fact, the same rule applies to military bases and some federal office buildings. Individuals who are unable to verify their identity will not be permitted to enter the TSA airport checkpoint and will not be allowed to fly.
How to Make the Upgrade
To obtain a Real ID, Indiana residents must visit a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) branch and provide the following documentation:
- Proof of Identity (ONE REQUIRED)
- United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
- Unexpired United States passport
- Foreign passport with a visa and I-94 form
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Proof of Social Security (ONE REQUIRED)
- Social Security card
- W-2 form
- SSA-1099 form
- Non-SSA-1099 form
- Paystub with your name and Social Security number on it
- Social Security Administration documents establishing that you are ineligible for a Social Security number.
- Proof of Lawful Status (ONE REQUIRED)
- United States birth certificate. Must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth. Puerto Rican-born citizens must provide a birth certificate issued on or after July 1, 2010.
- Unexpired United States passport
- Unexpired Foreign Passport with a visa and I-94 form
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Proof of Indiana Residency (TWO REQUIRED)
- Computer-generated bill from a utility company, credit card company, doctor, or hospital, issued within 60 days of the date you visit a BMV branch and containing your name and address of residence.
- Bank statement
- Pre-printed pay stub
- Medicaid or Medicare benefit statement
For the complete list of approved documents, please download our Real ID Documentation Checklist. While both Indiana and Michigan are compliant, you can check the status of other states to find out whether they are compliant with the Real ID Act by visiting the Department of Homeland Security REAL ID page.
Before Boarding
The hours before boarding your flight is always a little hectic, but your Real ID makes getting through security a breeze. Here are our tips on what to know before boarding your next flight (post-May 3, 2023):
- Be sure you have your Real ID-compliant identification on hand – without this or a valid passport, you won’t be able to get past the TSA Checkpoint.
- While you’ll need your Real ID to travel domestically, it won’t replace your passport when flying internationally. Be sure to have both on hand when traveling abroad.
- TSA does not require children under the age of 18 to provide a Real ID when accompanied by an adult.
Perks of the Upgrade
While the perks of upgrading your driver’s license before its expiration date seem more of an inconvenience, there are plenty of perks.
- Easy travel – Easily board a commercial aircraft and enter federal facilities or bases
- Citizenship – Prove your identity and U.S. Citizenship
- Enhanced identity protection – There are numerous security features embedded in the card that increases the difficulty of counterfeiting.
Expedite your experience at South Bend International Airport in South Bend, IN.
South Bend International Airport offers nonstop daily flights to 13 destinations and connections worldwide. We offer affordable parking options, great eats, and better commuting to and from your destination. Want to learn more about our flights or want to crunch the numbers? Contact us at (574) 282-4590 ext. 230, or check out flysbn.com! Fast. Smart. Affordable.
