KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nearly two decades after Congress passed the Real ID Act, the law is going into effect Wednesday.
Starting May 7, the Transportation Security Administration will check for REAL ID-compliant identification at airport checkpoints, including at Kansas City International Airport.
The REAL ID will be needed to get through airport security checks. However, other forms of ID, such as a passport or Tribal Nation ID, are acceptable.
Kansas City Deputy Director of Aviation Justin Meyer told KSHB 41 travelers without a REAL ID should add an extra 30-60 minutes to their travel plans.
TSA spokesperson Mark Howell said those without a REAL ID by the deadline should come prepared with "anything" they can bring to prove their identity, especially items with a photo ID.
Howell said there's no blueprint for what additional paperwork can be used.
VOICE FOR EVERYONE | Share your voice with KSHB 41’s Lindsay Shively
For airport security checkpoints, screeners will have discretion on whether they are comfortable with a traveler's documents. If they aren't, the traveler will be flagged for additional screening.
"You'll get a red card and be moved over to a separate area for additional screening and identity verification," Howell said Tuesday. "It's time-consuming and requires additional screening."
The Kansas Department of Revenue told KSHB 41 the state has an 85% REAL ID adoption rate, while the Missouri Department of Revenue said its number is around 46%. Kansas began issuing REAL IDs in 2017. Missouri started in 2019.
On Tuesday, KSHB 41 found long lines of people waiting to get their REAL ID at DMV locations around the metro.
Recent TSA data shows only 80% of travelers have an acceptable form of ID.
To confirm whether or not you have a REAL ID, you can check the top of your driver's license or state-issued ID card. If it has a star, the ID meets federal REAL ID requirements.
Other types of IDs TSA will accept:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
What about children?
Children under 18 are not required to show identification when traveling domestically, according to TSA.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.
