The New NC REAL ID
By Aisha Adams –
In response to the September 11, 2001 (9-11) crisis, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005.
The goal of this act was to establish federal security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs that would help prevent identity fraud. Starting October 1, 2020, federal agencies all across the U.S. will begin to enforce stricter security protocols at airports, federal buildings, and military facility check-ins.
Therefore, several states have already started offering REAL IDs.
A REAL ID looks similar to your current ID or driver’s license. The only difference between the REAL ID and your current state ID is that the words “Not for Federal Identification,” currently on many IDs, are replaced with a single gold star.
There is no law requiring you get a REAL ID, and you won’t be able to get one by simply renewing your license or ID. Getting a North Carolina REAL ID will be especially convenient for frequent flyers and people looking to visit federal buildings for any reason. The gold star allows REAL ID holders to board commercial flights and enter federal facilities without needing to show additional identifying documentation.
It is estimated that nearly 4 million North Carolinians will want to get an NC REAL ID. To obtain one, you must make a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles. There are 113 Department of Motor Vehicle offices in North Carolina that are issuing state REAL IDs.
First, you will need to prove your identity with your certified birth certificate, passport, or certificate of citizenship. If your name on your birth certificate doesn’t match the name on your current driver’s license or ID, you have to provide proof of your name change. This can be done with a marriage certificate or a document from the local Register of Deeds. Those documents can be ordered by mail or in person in Buncombe County, at 205 College Street in downtown Asheville (28801), at a cost of $10 (one certified copy is free for those over 62 years old).
Next, you will need to show your legal status with your Social Security card. Finally, you will need to produce two pieces of documentation that verify your address. This could be paycheck stubs, pre-printed bank statements, utility bills, or a lease document. There are no additional fees associated with opting to get an NC REAL ID, but you do pay the same price you would for a new ID or driver’s license. It will take approximately 2-3 weeks before you receive the NC REAL ID in the mail.
In the fall, voters will vote on whether or not North Carolina will institute voter ID Laws that some feel are designed to provide hurdles for African American voters and other minorities. However, at the time of this writing, a REAL ID is not required.
The Buncombe County Register of Deeds is online at www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/register-of-deeds.
Aisha Adams is the blogger behind Nappy Thoughts (www.NappyThoughts.com).
