1 year until deadline, Arizona officials say don’t wait to get new travel ID

PHOENIX – Because time flies, Arizona officials issued a one-year warning Tuesday about the need to get an ID card that meets revised federal requirements for air travel.

After multiple delays, the Real ID program will go into effect on May 3, 2023. Passengers 18 and older will then have to show a federally compliant form of identification to get through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints at domestic airports.

Arizona Travel IDs — driver’s licenses or state-issued ID cards with a gold star on the upper-right corner — are already cleared for future takeoffs.

NEW: With one year remaining before the federal deadline for domestic airline travelers to have a federally-compliant ID, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is urging people to consider getting the Arizona Travel ID. MORE: https://t.co/YlD9PkMvpo pic.twitter.com/W7lCihxIgW

— Arizona DOT (@ArizonaDOT) May 3, 2022

But if you haven’t upgraded and plan to fly after the deadline, the Arizona Department of Transportation recommends upgrading soon. “2023 might feel like a long way away, but it’ll be here quickly,” the agency, which includes the state’s Motor Vehicle Division, said in a press release.

Arizonans must visit an MVD office in person and bring proper documentation to become Real ID compliant. The cost is $25.

Arizona Travel ID applicants need to bring a birth certificate or U.S. passport for proof of identity plus two documents that verify state residency, such as bank statements or bills that show name and address. A social security number (the card isn’t needed) is also required.

Walk-in service is available, but appointments are recommended. You can schedule a visit online at azmvdnow.gov, even if you don’t have an active AZ MVD NOW account.

About 1.65 million in the state have upgraded to an Arizona Travel ID, according to ADOT.

The federal Real ID program has been in the works since 2005. It covers states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.

The previous deadline was Oct. 1, 2021, but Department of Homeland Security officials delayed it until next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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