When dealing with customer identification and verification, consistency and security are paramount. For many years, there were very few standards for issuing IDs across the country. As a result, authenticating a person's identity became more of a hurdle than it needed to be. If you are looking for customer identification and verification tool, visit this website.
Luckily, the REAL ID act aims to change all of that. Keep reading to learn more about REAL ID.
What is REAL ID?
In 2005, the United States Congress passed the REAL ID act. The act was a direct recommendation from the 9/11 Commission, and the discussion surrounding its creation began after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
Essentially, the act aims to set security standards for state-issued identification cards. It also prohibits some federal agencies from accepting licenses that don't meet those standards.
Contrary to popular belief, REAL ID is not a national database of information. Individual states continue to issue their own driver's licenses and ID cards. They also maintain records. However, REAL ID ensures consistency and security across the nation.
Enforcement
The federal government gave states plenty of time to comply. REAL ID isn't enforceable until May 3, 2023. Federal agencies like the DHS and TSA will only accept compliant IDs when that date comes. The most significant impact this enforcement will have is on commercial air flights. You won't be allowed on a federally regulated aircraft without a REAL ID.
Fortunately, every state is compliant and on track to meet the 2023 deadline for REAL ID licenses.
What Information Does REAL ID Need?
To get a REAL ID license, you must provide your:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Two forms of proof to verify address of principal residence
- Lawful status
That information is the bare minimum to meet REAL ID compliance. However, states can impose additional requirements at their behest.
Many states started issuing REAL ID-compliant cards more than a decade ago. These cards have a small star symbol to signify that they meet REAL ID requirements.
Simplifying ID Verification
REAL ID will undoubtedly have a positive impact on national security. But it will benefit businesses, too. It can simplify customer identification and verification, preventing the confusion that came with poor standards of the past.
Read a similar article about verify address online here at this page.
