LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — There’s nothing fake about the approaching Real ID enforcement deadline.
The new form of identification will be needed by May 7 to board commercial domestic flights and enter most federal buildings.
Even after years in public consciousness, some still have limited knowledge about how, who and why the law was enacted, let alone having obtained one.
The requirement for Real ID came in response to a 9/11 recommendation, which prompted Congress in 2005 to enact legislation.
It establishes minimum security standards for driver’s licenses and government identification cards to ensure people are who they claim to be.
Travelers will need a Real ID compliant driver’s license or ID card or another form of federally- acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID.
“Your travel planning should include making sure you have proper ID to fly,” PennDOT Sec. Mike Carroll said during a news conference at Lehigh Valley International Airport on April 4. “Especially if you have flights planned for the summer.”
To get a Real ID you must provide one document proving identity and lawful status, one document proving your social security number, and two documents proving your Pennsylvania residency.
In the Lehigh Valley the Whitehall Driver’s License Center, located at 1101 MacArthur Rd., can issue Real IDs over the counter. You can visit any PennDOT driver’s license center to have your documents verified and imaged to receive a Real ID within 15 business days.
This includes the Lehigh Valley Driver License Center at 1710 Hoover Ave. in Allentown and the Easton Driver License Center located at 2473 Nazareth Rd.
