By: Angelita Chavez-Halaka

Beginning January 22, 2018, residents of California will be able to obtain a REAL ID compliant identification card.  Current law has established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.  The law prohibits Federal agencies from accepting—for official purposes—licenses and identification cards that do not meet these standards. Not all states are currently compliant, and the U.S. has phased this requirement slowly since 2013. By October 1, 2020, all air travelers in the U.S. will be required to use a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel. This means that state IDs and driver’s licenses will be required to have certain security enhancements to prove that individuals are lawfully present in the United States.

 

OBTAINING REAL ID COMPLIANT IDENTIFICATION IN CALIFORNIA BEGINNING JANUARY 22, 2018

For now, the following documents should be shown to your local DMV:

1. Provide proof of identity
   1. U.S. Birth Certificate or Certificate of Naturalization
   2. Unexpired U.S. Passport
   3. Unexpired Employment Authorization Document
   4. Unexpired Permanent Resident Card or Foreign Passport with an approved form I-94.
2. Show a State residency document (utilities, school records etc.)
3. Present proof of your Social Security number
   1. Social Security Card
   2. W-2 Form
   3. SSA-1099 Form
   4. Non-SSA-1099 Form
   5. Paystub (with full SSN)

Please refer to the California DMV for more information.

IS YOU STATE DRIVER'S LICENSE ACCEPTABLE?

You can check if your state is REAL ID compliant. If it is not compliant, also check to see if your state received an extension to comply. This is important as you may need to carry alternative forms of identification and documents when traveling.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT EMPLOYMENT-BASED BENEFICIARIES (H-1, L-1, EB-1, ETC.)?

If you are living in a state that did not receive an extension to comply with the law regarding REAL ID compliant forms of identification, please refer to the TSA list of acceptable documents in order to travel domestically.

TSA ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTS LIST

Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States.

Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) in accordance with REAL ID enforcement S. passport S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) S. Military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents and DoD civilians) S. Merchant Mariner Credential

Permanent resident card Border crossing card DHS-designated enhanced driver's license Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation worker identification credential S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) Airline or Airport issued ID (if issued under TSA security plan)

CONTACT US FOR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS

Contact us for any questions regarding how this news alert may affect you.

You may sign up for our Chugh, LLP newsletter pertaining to employment based immigration matters at www.old.chugh.com or contact us at info@chugh.com.

RESOURCES

 https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

http://bit.ly/2p9s75B