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South Carolina IDs work toward REAL ID full compliance

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. William Banton
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles began implementing Real ID Act guidelines, allowing for the submission of authorized identification documentation into the DMV database, May 15.

By processing the documentation early the SCDMV hopes to avoid delays once the new Real ID Act compliant IDs become available for issue this fall.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the Real ID Act sets standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as a driver’s licenses, and established security standards for state issued identification. The new standards prohibit federal agencies and military installations, including Shaw Air Force Base, from accepting non-compliant identification for official purposes.

Last August the Air Force implemented changes to installation policies to align access requirements with federal compliance guidelines. Individuals who do not have accepted forms of identification will not be granted access without an approved escort.

South Carolina currently has a limited extension from the Department of Homeland Security to become compliant, which allows federal agencies to accept state IDs through June 6. The state anticipates receiving an additional extension from the DHS through Oct. 10.

Alternative forms of approved REAL ID Act compliant credentials include:

Federal-issued identification
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• Personal identification verification or federally-issued PIV – Interoperable Cards
• Driver's license issued by the U.S. Department of State
• Border crossing card – Form DSP-150
• DHS "Trusted Traveler" cards – Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST
• U.S. military ID – all members of the U.S. armed forces including retirees and dependent ID card holders and veterans.
• U.S. permanent resident card – Form I-551
• U.S. certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship – Form N-550
• Employment authorization document issued by DHS – Form I-766
• U.S. refugee travel document or other travel document or evidence of immigration status issued by DHS containing a photograph. – permit to re-enter Form I-327 and RTD Form I-571
• Transportation worker identification credential
• Merchant mariner card issued by DHS/United States Coast Guard
• Note – the veterans health identification card issued by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs is not an acceptable ID.

State-issued
• A driver's license or identification card issued by a state that meets the REAL ID standards or has an extension
• State-issued enhanced driver’s license
• Interim driver's license six issued by a state that meets the REAL ID standards or has an extension

Other
• Native American tribal photo ID
• Foreign government-issued passport
• PIV-I cards (issued by non-Federal Government entities)

The 20th Security Forces Squadron will provide additional information on South Carolina’s compliance with the Real ID Act as it becomes available. Check www.dhs.gov regularly for updates as information is subject to change.