Starting on May 7, Idahoans will need either a Star Card, a passport, military identification or another form of federally-accepted ID to board a commercial flight.
BOISE, Idaho — This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
Before travel plans are in place for the summer, Idaho residents should be taking a close look at their driver’s license.
Starting on May 7, Idahoans will need either a Star Card, a passport, military identification or another form of federally-accepted ID to board a commercial flight or access federal buildings, such as military bases.
“It’s really critical for people who plan to travel via airport or airplane — they’re going to benefit the most from having this card,” Britt Rosenthal, Idaho Transportation Department spokesperson, said. “It’s not to say they can’t travel after May 7 without it, it’s just that they’ll now have to have two forms of ID at the airport, rather than one.”
While previously a government-issued photo ID has been sufficient fly domestically, a Star Card will be needed moving forward, if wanting to make the same domestic flights with a singular form of identification. Those who elect to not get a Star Card will continue to be able to use their previous form of identification in conjunction with a passport.
“One of the misconceptions is that it’s an Idaho thing,” Rosenthal said. “This is a federally mandated program.”
-Idaho’s Star Card is the state’s implementation of the federal REAL ID standards that were passed by Congress in 2005. Though the deadline has been pushed back repeatedly, May 7 is the hard federal deadline and will require agencies like the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to maintain compliance with the REAL ID standard.
Those who don’t yet have a Star Card still have time, but ITD is encouraging individuals to get the new card earlier rather than later so travel plans aren’t interrupted. At present, it takes about 21 days from the application date until an individual receives their Star Card in the mail, Rosenthal said.
To obtain a Star Card, residents can go to their local driver’s license office with documents that can verify a person’s identity, their social security number and their place of residency. Documents such as a birth certificate, a social security card and two documents that can provide proof of residency — such as a mortgage statement or current utility bill — will be needed to initiate the Star Card process.
According to the ITD, as of Jan. 1, about 53% of Idaho licenses and ID cards were Star Cards. The cost of obtaining a Star Card is the same as a regular driver’s license.
Individuals unsure of what documents to bring can use ITD’s online “Add the Star” tool that will provide a personalized list of the documents needed to get the Star Card. Additional information and frequently asked questions regarding Star Card can be found at itd.idaho.gov/starcard.
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