From May 2025, a driving license alone will not be sufficient for air travel
After years of delays, the Transportation Security Administration announced that the federal agency will begin enforcing REAL ID requirements on May 7, 2025.
Fox – 5 DC
- Paula F. is having trouble getting a REAL ID because her middle name is spelled differently on her birth certificate and Social Security card.
- The DMV requires that the name on your birth certificate match the name on your REAL ID Social Security card.
- Paula F. can legally change her name to match the spelling on her Social Security card. This will allow her to obtain the correct birth certificate and obtain a REAL ID.
question: I think there are very unique challenges to getting a REAL ID. Unfortunately, my middle name is Ernestine. My birth certificate spells Ernistien. My social security card correctly spells it Ernestine. This is how I always spell it.
I went to AAA to get a REAL ID, but was denied because the spelling on my birth certificate was different from the spelling on my social security card.
I sent a letter to the state health department requesting a new birth certificate with the correct spelling and paid the fee. When it arrived in the mail, it was spelled the same: “Ernistien.”
In my 75 years, no one other than the DMV questioned the spelling of my middle name. Is there any way to resolve this issue?
− Paula F.
answer: On December 3, 2018, DMV began offering REAL ID-compliant licenses and identification cards in accordance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. This law established security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards used to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings and facilities beginning May 7, 2025.
If you need a REAL ID, you’ll need to have the proper documentation. REAL ID is not required in some states. Requires:
- One identity document (such as a certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the state vital statistics office or equivalent agency in the individual’s state of birth) Evidence of name change, such as a government-issued marriage license or court documents, if the name differs from the ID.
- and a Social Security number (must be included on the application) or a letter issued by the Social Security Administration stating that the applicant is not eligible to receive a Social Security number.
- and two proofs of residence; documents such as utility bill (Gas, electricity, telephone, cable, oil, water, sewer, satellite, heat, mobile phone), please specify the place of residence with the applicant’s name.
Because you provided your birth certificate as identification, the name on that document must be used in accordance with federal regulations.
Legal name changes allow residents to change their names after marriage, divorce, or for personal reasons (mispelling a name), and are often handled through the local town or city probate court in certain states. It should be a quick process for you, after which you can obtain an amended birth certificate to present as proof of identity to finally obtain a REAL ID with your correct legal name.
Chuck Hollis is the Deputy Administrator of the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles. Please email your questions to cars@providencejournal.com with “Ask the DMV” in the subject line.
