Federal Real ID Alters Driver License Requirements Jan. 1, 2010

Gather Go Get
The impending Federal REAL ID Act (REAL ID) will substantially alter the requirements for the issuance of Florida driver licenses and Florida ID cards. 
 
“REAL ID directly impacts my Tax Collector’s Office since we provide ‘express’ driver license services at our four locations,” said Ken Burton Jr., Tax Collector, “and it will most assuredly impact every Manatee County citizen in some capacity as well.”
 
The history: REAL ID is a nation-wide effort to improve the integrity and security of all state-issued driver licenses and identification cards. After the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington DC, the 9/11 Commission urged Congress to develop a nation-wide standard for the issuance of identification documents. The result was the Federal REAL ID Act – 68 printed pages in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
 
What this means is the State of Florida will no longer be making the rules and regulations regarding the issuance of Florida identification documents. The US Department of Homeland Security (Homeland Security) is now responsible for the regulations, some of which already have been implemented by the Florida Division of Driver Licenses (DDL).
 
On January 1st,2010 all of the following REAL ID outcomes will be effective in Florida (many already have been put in place): To obtain a Florida driver license or ID card (first time issuance, renewal, duplicate, or transferring a license from another state) – Everyone must provide:
 
1.Proof of citizenship (or legal presence in the United States). Example: original or certified US birth certificate or unexpired US passport or appropriate US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) documents. A valid US passport in the same name as the license or ID card meets this requirement. The name on the new license or ID card will match this proof, unless a valid name change has been established (see #2 below).
 
2.Proof of name change, which links the name on the citizenship document to the name on the driver license or ID card. (This requirement may not be applicable to everyone.)  Example:  original or certified marriage certificate or other original or certified court name change document.  A valid US passport in the same name as the license or ID card meets this requirement. The name on the new license or ID card will match the most recent name change document.
 
3.Proof of Social Security #.  Proof must be in the form of an original Social Security card, tax return, official letter from the IRS, W-2 form, pay check, DD-214, school record, military identification, official letter from the Social Security Administration, or Medicare card (with an A at the end).  The name on the new license or ID card must match the name used on the social security proof.
 
4.2 proofs of residential address. Post office boxes will no longer be acceptable addresses on driver licenses and ID cards.  The most common proofs are: vehicle/boat registration, voter registration card, automobile insurance policy, utility bill, deed or mortgage.  All of which must reflect the name on the new license or ID card.
5.Provide other approved documents, depending on the situation.
 
There may be a surge in US passport applications, as US passports are a preferred proof of identity and proof of legal presence.
 
Other major changes
The same stringent proof of identity and proof of citizenship (or legal presence in the United States) requirements apply to the issuance of both Florida driver licenses and Florida ID cards. Many in the public erroneously believe that it is easier to get an ID card.
  • “Valid in FL Only” licenses will no longer be issued.
  • Only one REAL ID compliant driver license or ID card can be possessed by a person. Formerly, Florida allowed both a driver license and an ID card.
  • There are no provisions for issuance of temporary driver licenses or ID cards, except in very rare circumstances, those involving proof of legal presence issues (providing immigration documents).
Many of the “gray area” decisions previously left to the discretion of local authorities will be replaced with regulations mandated by the DDL and Homeland Security.
 
“Some people have learned about REAL ID and have sent in their social security cards, driver licenses and other personal documents to our office with their renewals,” Burton said. “Don’t do it! REAL ID requires the person to renew in person with those documents in their possession; not through the mail. My office cannot be responsible for their security nor their safe return through the mail.”
 
Florida Tax Collectors and the DHSMV have developed a GATHER GO GET campaign. For information and instructions on how to obtain a REAL ID compliant Florida driver license or ID card, access the DHSMV website www.gathergoget.com. The Manatee County Tax Collector’s website, www.taxcollector.com offers a link, information and helpful frequently asked questions as well. These sites will be current as Real ID is rolled out.
 
If after visiting these websites you still need further information, phone 850.617.2000.