NY Residents Without REAL ID To Face New Fee

NEW YORK — New York air travelers who haven’t yet gotten their REAL IDs will be charged a $45 fee beginning in February, according to an announcement Monday from the Transportation Security Administration.

The updated ID has been required since May, but passengers without it have so far been allowed to clear security with additional screening and a warning. The Department of Homeland Security says 94 percent of passengers are already compliant and that the new fee is intended to encourage travelers to obtain the ID.

REAL ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that meets enhanced requirements mandated in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It was supposed to be rolled out in 2008, but the implementation had been repeatedly delayed.

According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, if you are applying for a REAL ID, you must provide two proofs of New York State residency. A New York State license, permit or non-driver ID card, a recent bank statement, or a recent pay stub showing your current New York State address are just some of the acceptable proofs of residency. DMV will accept certain electronic documents such as a utility bill, a credit card statement, or a pay stub if they are printed. Documents with a PO box listed cannot be accepted.

Additionally, any documents issued more than one year before your office visit will not be accepted. For example, a bank statement or utility bill that is provided as proof of residency must have been issued within the last 365 days of the customer’s visit to the DMV.

In addition, you must bring proof of your full, legal name. If your name has changed once or multiple times due to marriage or divorce, for example, proof of each change, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree, must be provided to show the connection, the DMV said.

According to the NYS DMV, you can normally only renew a New York State driver's license or non-driver ID card within 12 months or less before the expiration date. However, you can apply for renewal earlier than normal to convert to a REAL or Enhanced License or ID.

You must also meet the proof of lawful status, identity, and residency requirements for a REAL or Enhanced photo document.

Beginning Feb. 1, travelers 18 and older flying domestically without a REAL ID and who don’t have another accepted form of ID on them, such as a passport, will pay the non-refundable fee to verify their identity through TSA’s alternative "Confirm.ID" system.

TSA officials said that paying the fee does not guarantee verification, and travelers whose identities cannot be verified may be turned away. If approved, however, the verification covers a 10-day travel period.

The fee can be paid online before arriving at the airport. Travelers can also pay online at the airport before entering the security line, but officials said the process takes up to 30 minutes.

The TSA initially proposed an $18 charge for passengers without a REAL ID, but officials said Monday they raised it after realizing the alternative identification program would cost more than anticipated.

Other acceptable forms of ID include military IDs, permanent resident cards and photo IDs from federally recognized tribal nations. TSA also accepts digital IDs through platforms such as Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet at more than 250 airports in the U.S.

Reporting by The Associated Press.