Alabama Folks, Your Drivers License Will Not Work For Travel Soon
This is important stuff you need to know.
Especially if you travel or have business in any government facilities.
I fly to see my kids and grandkids 4-5 times a year.
This greatly impacts ANY air travel or trains and busses, if you use those modes of transportation.
So, what are we talking about?
If you plan on getting on any plane in May of next year or after, that driver's license you currently have in the wallet or purse will NOT be enough to get you past airport security.
Now, remember you still have a few months to get what you need.
However, I think it's time to start planning today due to the fact that we all have less than a year before the REAL ID law officially takes effect.
ONE IMPORTANT NOTE: In Alabama, this is called a STAR ID.
Covid is blamed for so much (even today) and in this case, Covid is the reason that we have a little more time.
The REAL ID/STAR ID concept and initiative was meant to become law and then required for all of us back in 2020.
What happened in 2020?
Uhhhhh, oh yeah, a global pandemic.
This caused officials to keep kicking the deadline down the road further and further in the last few years.
However, we are told that the extensions granted are over with and everyone must comply by May 2025.
Just what we all enjoy doing more than anything else....standing in line for hours at a government office building with employees that truly seem to LOVE their jobs.
Yeah, right!
What do you need to get your Alabama STAR ID?
Let's tackle the FOUR documents that you will need to bring with you:
One from this list below.
- Valid, unexpired United States Passport
- Certified Birth Certificate
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545
- Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
- Unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by DHS (Form I-766 or Form I-688B)
- Unexpired Foreign Passport with a valid, unexpired U.S. Visa affixed, accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant’s most recent admittance into the United States.
- Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS (Form N-550 or N-570)
- Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS (Form N-560 or N-561)
You also have to verify your social security number with one of the documents below:
- Social Security card
- United States Military Form DD 214
- Medicare/Medicaid Identification Card (if Social Security Number is followed by the letter A)
- W-2 Tax Form
Finally, you need to verify address with any two of the documents below:
- Valid Alabama Driver License or Identification Card displaying applicant's current address
- Voter Registration Card
- Residential Mortgage Contract
- Current Lease or Rental agreement for housing
- Proof of payment of residential property tax (Homestead)
- Previous year tax returns bearing applicants address
- Vehicle registration bearing applicants name and address
- Utility bill (Water, Gas, or Electric) less than 90 days old
- Any State or Federal Court documents indicating residence address
- School enrollment documentation
- Defense Department Form 214 (Report of Separation)
- Sex offender registration documents
- Current Homeowners insurance policy with name and address
- Social Security benefits statements/summary mailed to physical address
- U.S. or State Government check or other document mailed to applicants physical address
- Military Orders documenting duty station and place of residence.
*If utility bills or other similar documents feature the name of the applicant's spouse or parent, the applicant must produce a marriage certificate or birth certificate verifying residence address.
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