"Real" ID on your phone

 

In June 2021, Apple announced an upcoming update to its Wallet app that will give the ability to scan your State issued ID and save it with encryption securely within the app. The digital identification could then be used wherever accepted. And that’s the hold up at this point.

Four years ago I wrote a blog about the REAL-ID Act and a little history about how driver’s licenses became forms of identification. You can read that blog at "Real" ID

The post was closed with, “While you could probably identify yourself with the contents of your phone it is doubtful you’d get through a serious police encounter. You certainly couldn’t board an airplane”. Well here we are in the 2020’s and we can use our phones to digitally access more services and places everyday. The coronavirus pandemic pushed companies to contactless services which helped increase the use of digital tickets, keys, payment, and identification,

We can use digital boarding passes to board planes. Concert and sporting events have digital tickets. Pretty much every cash register has some sort or digital payment system. But the question still remains, can you use a digital ID as an official identification? Companies like Apple are providing the tools. Venues and other services have to decide how to adapt.

States exploring the use of digital driver’s licenses is growing. As exploration continues, individual state’s are starting to implement programs. Colorado was the first state to implement a functional program that officials say is accepted by law enforcement throughout the State. Louisiana, Oklahoma, Delaware, and Arizona all have programs. Maryland, Wyoming, and Idaho have test programs. Utah, Iowa, and Florida will be launching programs in the next year.

As state’s begin accepting their own digital licenses there will have to be reciprocity between all of the state’s, as there is currently with card based driver’s licenses. And then there is the federal government. While there is not currently a federal identification system government agencies will have to be prepared to accept the individual state digital ID’s. Apple is working with the TSA to develop policy to accept ID’s contained in its Wallet app. Once enough state’s go digital, Congress will probably pass some sort of legislation that recognizes digital ID’s contained on phones. 

What Real-ID means to Maryland drivers

Maryland Real ID

You may have seen news reports about the need for Maryland drivers to further document their identification and citizenship or risk confiscation of driver’s licenses. This isn’t hype. It is true and deadlines are fast approaching. If affected drivers do not update their status with the MD MVA, their license will not be considered valid. Which means a police encounter could result in the confiscation of your license and TSA will not accept the license as proper ID.

REAL ID Act

The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 setting the benchmark for personal forms of identification and establishing minimum security standards for driver’s license issuance and production. The act prohibits federal agencies, like the TSA, from accepting driver’s licenses from states that do not meet the standards. The deadline set by the Act is October 1, 2020. After that date residents of all states will need a Real ID Act compliant driver’s license to pass through airport security. 

How does this affect Maryland?

Maryland began issuing Real ID Act compliant licenses in 2016 and is listed as a state compliant with the Act. The licenses feature the state flag as the backdrop and the Real ID star logo. The license has multiple security features to guard against counterfeiting and was touted at the time as the most secure license in the U.S. 

The problem? While Maryland issued a license that met all of the Real ID Act physical security features the MVA did not always require the license holder to submit proper documentation for proof of identity or citizenship. Now those with the new “Flag” license are in danger of either losing their license or not being able to pass through federal security. 

MD MVA estimates that over a million drivers have the new license but not the necessary documentation on file. Trying to alleviate a renewal nightmare Maryland officials have set staggered renewal dates in June and November 2019 to clear the backlog before the federal October 2020 deadline. Over sixty-six thousand drivers have deadline dates in June 2019 to provide documentation. 

Is your license compliant?

Those holding the older licenses with the blue banner and crab logo are not required to update their records and may maintain their licenses until they expire. However, after October 1, 2020, these style licenses will not be accepted by TSA or other federal agencies. Even if you have been issued a flag design license you may still need to update your documentation with MVA.

You should get a notice by email and/or mail notifying of the MVA need for documentation. Rather than wait for the MVA renewal notice you can check if your license is compliant at this link RealID Lookup . After searching your license number you will be told if anything further is required and what to do next.

Documentation

If you are required to update your records you will need,

1) Proof of age and identity-Original or certified copy of your birth certificate OR a valid U.S. passport

2) Proof of Social Security-Original Social Security card or W-2 form, or SSA-1099

3) Proof of Maryland residency-Two documents required: insurance card, vehicle registration, credit card bill, utility bill, or bank statement. Any must have your name, Maryland address and be from two separate entities.

This link has further information on Real ID FAQs .

Good luck!

Previous blog about licenses at "Real" ID .