Do you need to update your travel documents? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is once again notifying the public that, “As of May 7th, TSA checkpoints will require travelers to be Real ID compliant to board domestic flights.” The operative word there is “domestic.” You can accomplish this by simply getting a compliant driver’s license or state ID, or you can carry your passport around with you whenever you fly, even on domestic flights. (Nick here is all set: note the star in the upper right-hand corner.)
For the past six years the Rhode Island DMV has been offering REAL-ID compliant licenses and identification cards, which may be used for boarding a domestic flight or entering certain federal buildings or facilities. The DMV will offer these in compliance with the federal REAL-ID Act of 2005, which established security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. (AAA also offers this service to members. Reservation required.)
From the TSA:
Rhode Islanders who want to board an airplane for a domestic flight will soon need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. If their driver’s license is not REAL ID-compliant, they will need another form of approved identification, such as a passport to board their flight or enter a secure federal facility or military base. The REAL ID driver’s license and identification card have a small star in the upper right corner to indicate they meet federal regulations that establish minimum security standards.
(I sure hope the Nick Sample photo was AI generated, because if that is someone’s real face, I feel like he could have problems going forward.)
News about passports here in Rhode Island: We got our office back! Paul Edward Parker wrote earlier this month in the ProJo:
A federal office that processes travelers’ applications to speed up immigration checks at ports of entry to the United States has reopened after closing more than four years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All four members of the state’s congressional delegation heralded the reopening of the Global Entry Enrollment Center near Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport.
For these past four years, people who needed an expedited passport, or had a problem of some sort, had to travel out of state, typically to the one near Boston’s Logan Airport! Aarghh.
Passport renewal: I had to do this last August and can share that experience. It turned out to be less of a hassle than I had feared. My concern was that for a simple renewal like mine, I had to mail in my current passport which meant I wouldn’t have a passport for a while. (They could not process my simple renewal at the passport counter at the main post office. Perhaps that has changed.)
But I followed the instructions online and took my stuff down to the main post office. At the counter, the clerk immediately pulled out a dedicated ‘passport envelope’ and it became clear that they had a special process for this. I think it went into a separate bin. I was told to expect my new passport in about 4-5 weeks; it arrived in nine days.
BUT, it was then that I was told that if a problem or emergency developed, I would have to go to Boston! This was last August and happily, this would no longer be necessary. Thank you to our congressional delegation for taking care of this.
Rhode Island Enrollment Center, 300 Jefferson Blvd., (directions)