What is a Real ID and How to Get One in West Virginia

What is a Real ID and How to Get One in West Virginia

The federal REAL ID Act places new rules on which forms of identification may be used to board flights within the United States and enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses and other federal facilities. The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.

West Virginia is compliant with the REAL ID Act. However, many West Virginians still do not have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or photo ID card. In an effort to help, the WV DMV has created a REAL ID web page that helps you know exactly what you need to bring with you to the DMV office to obtain a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card. The web site is http://go.wv.gov/realid.

The issuance of REAL ID’s in WV was suspended temporarily because of the closure of the DMV Regional Offices during COVID-19. However, President Trump has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to Oct. 1, 2021, from the initial deadline of Oct. 1, 2020, so this should provide plenty of time.

So be aware if you are planning on traveling, entering various federal facilities, etc., that after Oct. 1, 2021, you need your REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card. If you are a WV resident and have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, you will see a small gold star in the upper right corner to indicate it meets federal regulations that establish minimum security standards. Not all states use a gold star to indicate it is a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card, so make sure you check with your state’s DMV or appropriate agency to determine if you have one or not.