# Will REAL ID (enhanced driver licenses) finally be a thing in the USA? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 23, 2019, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314 "2019-12-23T23:26:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/101 "2020-03-27T01:04:36Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Dumb question that may have been addressed upthread; why is a US passport less trouble to get than a Real ID driver’s license? I can sit at home, fill out the passport application and mail it in. No appointment needed. No Social Security number proof needed. No proof of where I live. Maybe you can do it that way for a renewal - but when I applied for a passport a couple of years ago, I had to submit my documents in person and sign the application in front of a passport agent, which in my area are mainly at post offices. Some of them required appointments (although the ones I called did not answer the phone ) and others only accepted 25 applications a day ( which meant you had to get there an hour before opening). You would need proof of any name changes , and you must provide photo ID and an acceptable photo . You don’t need proof of residence or a SS number - that’s literally the only part that’s easier. I don’t need an appointment to go to DMV , they don’t limit applications to 25 a day , and I needed my birth certificate and ID to get a passport just like I did for my Real ID ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/102 "2020-03-27T01:38:26Z")
A passport just verifies that you are a US citizen. As such, you really only need to prove that you are a natural born citizen (birth certificate) or naturalized citizen (naturalization certificate), and a state issued ID to show you are the person you claim to be. If I understand it correctly, RealID demonstrates who you are, that you’re legally in the US, your Social Security status (?), and your legal residence. It is for different purposes and requires different documentation. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/103 "2020-03-27T01:40:03Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > A passport just verifies that you are a US citizen. As such, you really only need to prove that you are a natural born citizen (birth certificate) or naturalized citizen (naturalization certificate), and a state issued ID to show you are the person you claim to be. > > If I understand it correctly, RealID demonstrates who you are, that you’re legally in the US, your Social Security status (?), and your legal residence. It is for different purposes and requires different documentation. If you are a natural born citizen or naturalized citizen, you are legally in the USA. The SocSec status again is just more racism. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2020, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/104 "2020-03-27T01:57:42Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Dumb question that may have been addressed upthread; why is a US passport less trouble to get than a Real ID driver’s license? I can sit at home, fill out the passport application and mail it in. No appointment needed. No Social Security number proof needed. No proof of where I live. > > Maybe you can do it that way for a renewal - but when I applied for a passport a couple of years ago, I had to submit my documents in person and sign the application in front of a passport agent, which in my area are mainly at post offices. Sorry. You are correct that you need to apply in person for the first passport (it’s been _decades_ since I got my first passport). From their website, "You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true: You are applying for your first U.S. passport" Still, there’s less documentation required. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/105 "2020-03-27T13:08:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > If you are a natural born citizen or naturalized citizen, you are legally in the USA. But it doesn’t establish your legal residence, which is required for RealID. > [@DrDeth](#): > > The SocSec status again is just more racism. Is there a stated reason for SS status being required for RealID? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/106 "2020-03-27T16:12:11Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Just got an email from Arizona MVD which also says a one year delay. Also asks people delay coming in for a Real ID license (which needs an appointment anyway) until the Covid crisis is over. My license expired Saturday and I’d plumb forgot about it (no reminders like MVD sends for auto-registration). Knowing I had to come in (they require a new photo as you get more decrepit) I did a quick scan of the MVD website to confirm everything requiring in-office stuff is by appointment only to avoid crowds. I called to make an appointment, got an answer much quicker than I expected and explained the situation. “When did your license expire?” was the only question. “Saturday the 21st.” “You have until September 21st.” Going back to the site I clicked on a couple overlooked links and found the extension is six months. Hopefully that will put the crisis will be past by then, bu-u-ut… ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/107 "2020-03-27T16:25:31Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Is there a stated reason for SS status being required for RealID? Yes. According to the Washington State Licensing department: > [@](#): > > **How your Social Security number is used** > > It’s used to help enforce child support laws. We’ll verify the number with the Social Security Administration. It won’t appear on your EDL/EID. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/108 "2020-03-27T16:50:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Sorry. You are correct that you need to apply in person for the first passport (it’s been _decades_ since I got my first passport). From their website, > > "You must apply in person using Form DS-11 if at least one of the following is true: > > You are applying for your first U.S. passport" > > Still, there’s less documentation required. I just mailed in the stuff. But that was like a decade ago. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/109 "2020-03-27T16:52:20Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > But it doesn’t establish your legal residence, which is required for RealID. Who cares about your legal residence for purposes of airline security? Does it matter if you live in Costa mesa or New York City or Podunk? ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/110 "2020-03-27T17:30:12Z")
Big Brother cares. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/111 "2020-04-15T02:55:11Z")
Little late to the party, but I have a Trusted Traveller GOES card ([https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/)](https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/)which means I submitted to a full backgroung check and an interview with Homeland Security to prove I am a good enough citizen to stand in a different line when coming home. (Actually, since it also includes TSA PreCheck, it’s a pretty good thing to me). Anyway, my license will expire this year and I am surprised that the Global Entry card isn’t on the list of acceptable documents. IMHO, I should be qualified with a GOES card and a utility bill, but no. ---
**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:** [April 15, 2020, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/112 "2020-04-15T03:35:39Z")
On the other hand the Global Entry card can be used at the airport instead of a Real ID license. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2021, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314/113 "2021-04-27T12:58:50Z")
It’s been postponed yet again. [REAL ID Requirement for Air Travel Pushed to 2023 Amid Delays at Motor Vehicle Branches – NBC Chicago](https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/dhs-delays-real-id-requirement-for-air-travelers/2496067/?_osource=SocialFlowFB_CHBrand&fbclid=IwAR2gitr1LmPk4bIgOdBxl6R4rT_sOU18py98md05nshfp3Ai-nePGeL0G5M) Take this stupid idea out back behind the barn and shoot it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-real-id-enhanced-driver-licenses-finally-be-a-thing-in-the-usa/845314.md?page=5)