By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com

ALABAMA — REAL ID deadlines have been extended to Oct. 1, 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Alabama's version of the federal REAL ID program, known as STAR ID, would have been required for domestic and international air travel by Oct. 1, 2020 had the deadline not been moved.

"We began modifying the Driver License Division operations Monday, March 16, and continued to serve customers on a more limited basis to reduce potential exposure to the virus," said Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor. "This deadline extension should relieve some of the wait time at ALEA's DL offices to obtain a STAR ID during the next several months."

As previously reported, the STAR ID will also be required for admission to some federal facilities, including military bases.

Other forms of identification that will be accepted for flight are, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards, U.S. Department of Defense ID, permanent resident card and border crossing card. 

In order to get a STAR ID, drivers must show four documents to verify their date of birth, identity, Social Security number and address. Valid documents include: a birth certificate or valid passport, a Social Security card or document showing your number, and TWO documents showing your home address. 

Here is full list of acceptable documents to be issued a STAR ID (all data according to alea.gov):

• For identity and date of birth: a valid United States Passport; certified birth certificate; Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545; Valid Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by DHS (Form I-766 or Form I-688B); Unexpired Foreign Passport with a valid, unexpired U.S. Visa affixed, accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant’s most recent admittance into the United States; Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS (Form N-550 or N-570); Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS (Form N-560 or N-561)
• For verification of Social Security numbers: Social Security card; United States Military Form DD 214; Medicare/Medicaid Identification Card (if Social Security Number is followed by the letter A); W-2 Tax Form
• For verification of address of principal residence: Voter Registration Card; Residential Mortgage Contract; Current Lease or Rental agreement for housing; Proof of payment of residential property tax (Homestead); Previous year tax returns bearing applicants address; Vehicle registration bearing applicants name and address; Utility bill (Water, Gas, or Electric) less than 90 days old; Any State or Federal Court documents indicating residence address; School enrollment documentation; Defense Department Form 214 (Report of Separation); Sex offender registration documents; Current Homeowners insurance policy with name and address; Social Security benefits statements/summary mailed to physical address; U.S. or State Government check or other document mailed to applicants physical address; Military Orders documenting duty station and place of residence.

STAR IDs began being issued in 2011, but less than 500,000 have been issued statewide. The new IDs are available at Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Drivers License exam offices. County license and probate offices will be able to renew STAR IDs, but not issue them. They do not cost any more or less than a traditional driver’s license.