Georgia REAL ID: Enforcement Begins In 1 Year

Atlanta GA

02 May, 2022

4:22 PM

Description

GEORGIA — Georgia residents have just one year to apply for their REAL ID cards. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcement for air travelers on May 3, 2023. During the pandemic, the deadline was moved to next year for the Peach State and the rest of the nation. The pandemic made it more cumbersome for residents to make trips to the Georgia Department of Driver Services since the agency was operating in person at a limited capacity. Although the deadline is a year away, Georgians are urged to try and get their REAL ID ahead of time. Getting a REAL ID isn't necessarily required, but Georgia recommends it. U.S. passports will still be an acceptable form of federal identification to board any flight or visit a federal property. Those who are under 18 years old are not required to have this ID to fly. View Georgia's fact sheet about the REAL ID here. It's important to note that the new federally-compliant ID card looks slightly different from a traditional Georgia driver's license. This new card will have a little gold or black star in the top right corner, while a driver's license will be labeled "federal limits apply." SEE ALSO: REAL ID Deadline Extended Again For Georgia, Rest Of NationReal ID Georgia: How To Avoid The Lines Ahead Of Deadline Any Georgian who can prove their legal presence in the U.S. with one accepted identity document is eligible to apply for this card, officials said. DACA and Temporary Protected Status recipients are also eligible to apply if their documents are current, according to Georgia officials. See the REAL ID checklist here. The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. How to apply for the REAL ID in Georgia To apply for the new card, you'll need to gather a few documents and take a trip to the the Georgia Department of Driver Services. 1. First gather any of the following identity documents: Valid U.S. passportBirth certificateU.S. certificate or consular report of birth abroadCertificate of naturalization or citizenshipValid, unexpired Permanent Resident CardUnexpired employment authorization document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)Unexpired Permanent Resident Card or valid/expired Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797)Unexpired foreign passport stamped "Processed for I-551"Documents reflecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) benefit eligibility 2. Then find proof of your social security number (full number required) Social Security cardW-2 formSSA-1099 formNon-SSA-1099 formPaystub 3. Gather two of these documents to prove Georgia residency Home utility bills (including cellular phone)Medical documentsCar or Boat registrationEmployment documentsInsurance documentsBank and Financial institution recordsChange of Address confirmation by the U.S. Postal ServiceMortgage billRental or lease agreement (signed by owner and tenant)IRS or Georgia FTB tax return 4. Visit a Georgia DDS office. Find one close to you.