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The REAL ID Act was first passed by Congress in 2005, but its implementation was delayed. There is no additional cost to upgrade to a compliant card at BMV locations.
This star inside a black circle signifies a Real-ID card, which allows holders to get on airplanes and inside federal buildings.
CELINA-Adults planning to board a commercial airplane or enter a federal facility in the near future have just a few days left to comply with new security requirements that take effect Wednesday.
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government set standards for issuing sources of identification, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Come Wednesday, Americans must have a Real ID-compliant card or acceptable alternative, such as a U.S. passport, to get on a flight at a federally-regulated airport or gain access to a federal facility, military base or nuclear power plant.
However, minors flying with their parents do not need a Real ID-compliant card, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Also, Real ID is not required to drive, vote or receive state or federal services or benefits.
The program has already been delayed several times by states that weren't prepared to offer the IDs, people being slow to update their documents and by the coronavirus pandemic. With those hurdles mostly passed, the government is set to require the new IDs rather than old state drivers licenses and IDs for commercial air travel starting Wednesday.
Since July 2, 2018, Ohio residents have had the option to select a Real ID-compliant driver's license or identification card meeting the national security requirements. There is no additional cost for upgrading to a compliant driver's license or identification card.
"The Ohio BMV has focused on ensuring Ohioans understand the requirements and established a clear process to obtain a Real I.D.," Lindsey Bohrer, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said in an email to The Daily Standard.
Bohrer said 56.5% of IDs in Ohio are Real IDs.
To accommodate Ohioans scrambling to meet the May 7 Real-ID deadline, the Ohio BMV extended Saturday hours at BMV locations. The hours were extended to 3 p.m. on April 26 and again today, Bohrer said. The Mercer County BMV is located at 320 Portland St., Celina, and the Auglaize County BMV is located at 604 S. Blackhoof St., Wapakoneta.
Ohio's Real ID driver's license or identification card, distinguished by a white star in a black circle on the upper right-hand corner, requires more identifying documents than a standard card.
Those going the compliant card route must provide documents proving their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, proof of Ohio residency and proof of legal presence.
Birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, W-2 forms, pay stubs and other types of documents can be used to satisfy the compliant card requirements. Acceptable documents and other details about Ohio's Real ID can be viewed at bmv.ohio.gov/dl-real-id.aspx.
"Customers are issued a paper interim credential at the Deputy Registrar, and their Real ID will arrive typically within 5-10 business days in the mail in a white, unmarked envelope," Bohrer said.
Ohioans also have the option of adding a digital version of the compliant card to their Apple Wallet app, Borher noted. The Ohio Mobile ID, she said, is accepted by Transportation Security Administration.
"Ohioans can choose to add both Real ID compliant and standard Ohio DL/IDs to their Apple Wallet," she said. "Ohio Mobile ID in Apple wallet is an acceptable for of ID for TSA. Check with the federal government on what is acceptable ID for federal buildings as the standard varies depending on location."
The Daily Standard talked to several people outside the Mercer County BMV and Clerk of Courts Title Office on Friday afternoon to get their take on the imminent Wednesday Real ID deadline.
Some like Jeff Snider of Mendon secured their Ohio Real ID the first chance they had.
"I got mine four of five years ago," he said.
Though he's not a frequent flyer, Snider said he wanted to be able to meet the necessary federal requirement should a reason to catch a flight arise.
"You never know," he said.
Snider said he supports the Real ID standards mandated in the 2005 federal law passed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"I like it because it's a little bit more security, for everyone, not just me," he said.
Tom Ahrns of Dublin, who also has a place in Celina, took the necessary steps to upgrade his ID years ago because of the amount of air travel then required for his job.
"I worked at Honda so I had to get to Canada," he said.
Tony Rammel of Coldwater, on the other hand, is a decidedly terrestrial man who saw no reason to acquire an enhanced compliant ID, at least at this time.
"I don't do any flying and I've never flown. I don't have any plans to anytime soon," he said. "I didn't see the need (to upgrade). I'll deal with it if I need to. I can always upgrade later."
Others who spoke to the newspaper said they didn't have all the documents required for an Ohio Real ID or were preparing to make the upgrade soon.
It's clear not everyone is. But it's less clear whether the nation is prepared.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a report earlier this year that 56% of IDs in circulation nationally met the requirements as of January 2024. In 16 states, more than three in five IDs met the new standards, while the number was below two out of five in 22 states.
About 81% of people flying recently have shown ID that would work once the new requirements kick in, according to a recent statement by Homeland Security.
A group of state senators from Kentucky in late April asked the agency to delay implementing the new requirements yet again.
TSA spokesperson Dan Velez later said that the agency does not intend to delay the REAL ID again.
- The Associated Press contributed to this article.
