Prepare to show more proof when you renew your NC license
North Carolinians now have the option of getting a driver's license or identification card through the state Division of Motor Vehicles that complies with the more stringent standards of the federal REAL ID.
Posted — UpdatedCongress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Beginning in 2020, a REAL ID will be required for commercial air travel and for visitors to federal buildings, military installations and nuclear facilities.
Older, non-REAL ID driver's licenses and identification will remain valid but will require additional supporting material to be used for air travel and federal facility access.
- One document that proves identity, such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport or immigration documents
- One document that verifies birth, such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport or immigration documents
- One document that confirms a Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form
- Two documents that establish residency in North Carolina, such as a utility bill, vehicle registration card or bank statement
Identification that meets the REAL ID standards will bear a gold star. All other licenses and identification cards will read "Not for Federal Identification."
A REAL ID will not permit direct access to Fort Bragg or other military installations – people still have to get visitor passes – but it will save time getting a pass.
"I have to give him my registration and ID, and then they do a background check before they allowed me to go any further," Fayetteville resident Felicia Braswell said of going on post. "That [REAL ID] would eliminate a whole lot of it, so I'd be glad to have that."
A REAL ID will cost $13 for people seeking a duplicate license, or they can wait to obtain one when renewing their licenses, authorities said.
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