PA Air Travelers: TSA Warns Of Real ID Confusion

PENNSYLVANIA — If you are a Costco customer, your membership card likely can provide significant benefits. Just don't expect it to do so at any airport.

The Transportation Security Administration has announced on social media that having a warehouse club membership card is not a substitute for having a Real ID card. Federal authorities last month began mandating Real ID for domestic air travel and entry into certain federal buildings.

The issue apparently is so prevalent that the TSA felt the need to make it the top pinned post on its X feed. The apparent confusion might have resulted from the fact that Costco gold membership cards have a gold star at the bottom. Real IDs have a gold star as well, but in the upper right corner of a valid driver's license.

"We love hotdogs & rotisserie chickens as much as the next person but please stop telling people their Costco card counts as a Real ID," the post stated "Because it absolutely does not."

If you are seeking a Real ID, federal regulations require PennDOT to verify these documents that do not at all involve a Costco membership card:

• Proof of identity, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. passport.

• Proof of a social security number. The proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the social security number. Examples include a social security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form or a pay stub.

• Two proofs of current, physical Pennsylvania address. Examples include a current, unexpired Pennsylvania driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.

• Proof of all legal name changes, if the current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document. Examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the county court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court.