3 states, 1 US territory; IDs no longer valid for base access

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt

Individuals from Minnesota, Missouri, Washington or American Samoa will no longer be able to access Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., and other Air Force installations with a state-issued identification card or driver’s license beginning Aug. 15, 2016.

 

While ID’s that do not meet security and data-collection guidelines will not be accepted, alternate forms of identification will be allowed. Acceptable forms of ID include: a U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card and a Permanent Resident Card/Alien Registration Receipt Card, Form I-551. (See the Q & A portion for the full list).

 

Some of the more common alternatives include a valid U.S. or foreign government issued passport, an employment authorization document that contains a photograph, or ID cards issued by federal state or local government agencies that include a photo and biographic information.

 

Although the 45th Space Wing expects minimum impacts to operations, this new change aligns the Air Force’s installation access policy with requirements of the Real ID Act, which focuses on improving the reliability of state-issued identification documents and helps prevent a person’s ability to evade detection by using a fraudulent form of ID.

 

“Implementation of the Real ID Act will bring us into compliance with congressionally-mandated identification standards,” said Maj. Megan Hall, 45th Security Forces Squadron commander. Our intent is to meet the necessary requirements while ensuring ease of access to the 45th Space Wing community.” 

 

According to Air Force officials, all individuals attempting to gain access to an Air Force installation without a Defense Department ID card will be subject to a routine background check.

 

For a full list of REAL ID Act compliant and non-complaint states, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website at www.dhs.gov. Or, view the Real ID Act Air Force video here:

 

(Information used in this article can be attributed to the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office)

 

The following are frequently asked questions about the Real ID Act:

 

Q: What is the REAL ID Act?

A: Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. States have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and every state has a more secure driver’s license today than before the passage of the Act.

 

Q: Who will the Real ID Act affect or impact?

A: The Real ID Act will affect/impact non-DoD affiliated personnel or guests who do not possess Personal Identity Verification credentials requesting base access. Installations will have to track state's compliance with the REAL ID Act as states move in and out of compliance.

 

Q: Who will not be affected/impacted by the Real ID Act?

A: Common Access Card (CAC) holders, retired or dependent ID cards. Current Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) ID card holders will only be affected if or when they are up for re-issue.

 

Q: What date does the Real ID Act take effect?

A: Aug. 15, 2016, Monday

 

Q: Which states are currently not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and what is the change?

A: Non-DoD affiliated personnel or guests with a non-compliant driver's license from: Minnesota, Washington, Missouri and American Samoa will have to show an approved/alternative identification or will have to be escorted or denied access to the installation.

 

Q: What is an approved/alternative form of ID?

• U.S. Passport.
• U.S Passport Card.
• Permanent Resident Card/Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551).
• A foreign passport with a temporary (I-551) stamp or temporary (I-551) printed notation on a machine readable immigrant visa.
• An employment authorization document that contains a photograph (Form I- 766).
• Identification card issued by Federal, State, or local government agencies, provided it contains a photograph and biographic information such as name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color, and address.
• U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Cards/Credentials.
• PIV or Federally-Issued PIV-1 Cards (Personal Identification Verification) issued by the Federal Government.
• PIV-I card (Personal identification verification-Interoperable Issued by Non-Federal Government entities).
• DHS “Trusted Traveler Cards” (Global entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
• Merchant Mariner card issued by DHS/ United States Coast Guard (USCG).
• Border Crossing Card (Form DSP-150).
• U.S. Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-550) and U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551).
• U.S. Refugee travel document or other travel document or evidence of immigration status issued by DHS containing a photograph.
• A Foreign Government Issued Passport.

 

Q:  Will the REAL ID Act mandate a new issuance of DOD ID cards?

A:  No. Persons who already have an issued DBIDS Common Access Card and other accepted Federal IDs are considered identity proof and vetted.

 

Q:  Will this change our DoD ID card issuance?

A:  No. The only change is to the credentials used to validate a person's identity.  If an individual possess an approved driver's license they process as normal.  If an individual possess a non-compliant driver's license, they must show a second approved form of ID.

 

Questions can be addressed to the Patrick AFB Visitor’s Center at 321-494-0427 or to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Visitor’s Center at 321-853-5261.