# Possible Real ID problem? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 29, 2025, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664 "2025-04-29T20:02:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/181 "2025-06-08T10:36:38Z")
We’re really going down the road of [German accent] “Your papers, please” [/German accent], aren’t we? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/182 "2025-06-08T11:31:56Z")
Not really. I would not even mind a federal ID card. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/183 "2025-06-08T12:38:48Z")
People who want one can get one now- that’s basically what a passport card is. The problem is going to be when we are required to have one and required to carry it at all times - or when I feel like I have to carry it because someone might decide I don’t look like I’m here legally. Over ten years ago, I was in Texas and the car I was in got stopped at an internal checkpoint - supposedly, at those checkpoints, people are not legally required to answer questions and the Border Patrol can’t arrest them/search vehicles without probable cause. If that happened today, I’m not sure we would have driven away within a couple of minutes because we were in Texas in a 15 passenger van with New Mexico plates ( we flew into Albuquerque and rented the van there) , no luggage and most of us weren’t white. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/184 "2025-06-08T12:59:28Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Not really. I would not even mind a federal ID card. Some of the rest of us are not nearly so chill about that. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/185 "2025-06-08T13:01:14Z")
I got real ID because it was clear we were headed that way. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/186 "2025-06-08T13:27:35Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > We’re really going down the road of [German accent] “Your papers, please” [/German accent], aren’t we? I mean, in the context of trying to board a US Navy warship? That’s not “Your papers, please” that’s… just what one has to do when trying to board a US Navy warship. I had to show my military ID every time, possibly several times a day, when I literally lived and worked on them, even when every single person checking ID already knew me because I was kind of their boss… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/187 "2025-06-08T14:06:42Z")
Yeah, but what was asked for in the past was just a drivers license, not a Real ID or passport…and we have been told repeatedly that Real ID and passports were just going to be used for airlines. What, if anything, are the actual restrictions (and not just “they aren’t requiring it…yet” situations) when it comes to the use of Real IDs? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/188 "2025-06-08T14:16:41Z")
The actual restrictions are that you need Real ID to board a domestic flight or enter a Federal facility - which would include Navy ships- and that’s been the case ever since I first heard of Real ID. I’m sure lots of people didn’t notice because it doesn’t affect them like flying does. However, like almost anything else in the US there’s no restriction prohibiting Texas from requiring a Real ID for state purposes or a bank only accepting a Real ID compliant license . (Some states still issue non-compliant licenses in addition to compliant ones.) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/189 "2025-06-08T14:28:20Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > The actual restrictions are that you need Real ID to board a domestic flight or enter a Federal facility - which would include Navy ships- and that’s been the case ever since I first heard of Real ID Exactly what i came to say. Although I’m surprised they are enforcing it to board a naval vessel being used as a concert venue. I have been on tourist attractions that are also naval vessels, and never had to show ID at all to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/190 "2025-06-08T14:33:28Z")
So, we have “These are what Read ID is required for _today_” situations, but no actual use restrictions in place for future use? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/191 "2025-06-08T14:36:13Z")
I have never seen anything suggesting that their use will be restricted, no. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/192 "2025-06-08T14:53:09Z")
I’m not sure what you mean - I’m not sure how there could be restrictions on what they can be required for in the future. Congress could pass a law now saying that people can’t be required to have one or to carry it - but in the world where that’s required, there will be a Congress that allows such requirements. The Feds can’t actually under current laws and regulations restrict other entities from requiring Real ID (or force most other entities to require them) just like they can’t force the liquor store clerk to accept your passport as proof of age. That’s why they didn’t just demand that states change their license/ID procedures - it had to be tied to something within Federal jurisdiction. A state can refuse to issue Real IDs - as long as the leaders don’t mind facing the citizens who now can’t fly or enter a Federal office building. Other examples were the 55 mph speed limit and raising the drinking age to 21- those were tied to Federal funding. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/193 "2025-06-08T15:01:08Z")
Second problem/situation: Do I have any recourse if I follow the proper channels but Guam does not send me my birth certificate, with or without a stated reason? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/194 "2025-06-08T15:01:54Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Although I’m surprised they are enforcing it to board a naval vessel being used as a concert venue. Are they being used as concert venues/tourist attractions or are they offering tours of active ships? I can’t imagine using an active ship as a concert venue. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/195 "2025-06-08T15:10:03Z")
If you apply for a passport, there are other documents that may be accepted as proof of citizenship if Guam sends you a letter saying they have no birth record for you. If they just refuse to send a birth certificate with no explanation , you’d be out of luck but it’s really difficult to imagine why that would happen ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/196 "2025-06-08T15:13:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Second problem/situation: Do I have any recourse if I follow the proper channels but Guam does not send me my birth certificate, with or without a stated reason? If I were you, I would just schedule an appointment with the DMV office in your state and bring whatever documentation you have. You might mention the difficulties you’re having in getting the birth certificate. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/197 "2025-06-08T15:15:34Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > Are they being used as concert venues/tourist attractions or are they offering tours of active ships? I can’t imagine using an active ship as a concert venue. Tours of active ships. Today is the last day, though. > **[Fleet Week](https://www.rosefestival.org/events/2025/fleetweek)** > > It's Portland's chance to thank the men and women in the sea services, and catch a glimpse of visiting vessels from the US Navy, US Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/198 "2025-06-08T15:24:43Z")
I would try for a passport. The rules for getting passports were set when people were less documented, and there’s more wiggle room. For instance, i once helped my boss get a passport by affirming that he was the person named on a birth certificate. He had no government issued photo id. Whereas the rules for real id assume you have tons of documentation, and in addition to proving name and legal status, also require proof of residency and SSN. Once you get a passport, it’s probably possible to get real id. Also, you can use a passport for flying and to get into federal buildings. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/199 "2025-06-08T15:48:16Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Second problem/situation: Do I have any recourse if I follow the proper channels but Guam does not send me my birth certificate, with or without a stated reason? Assume they are understaffed. Assume everything is going to take five times as long as it needs to. But if they’re really just ghosting you, you can contact other local officials and make a polite nuisance of yourself until someone does something. Or fly to Guam and walk into the office, but that might be more time and money than you have going spare. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664/200 "2025-06-08T15:49:44Z")
And how does he fly to Guam without the Real ID to present to TSA? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-real-id-problem/1017664.md?page=11)