PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s crunch time for people who still need to get a REAL ID driver's license in Pennsylvania, as TSA will begin requiring them for domestic flights next Wednesday, May 7.
You’ll need a real ID if you’re flying domestically, want to access certain federal buildings, or go to a military facility.
So far, only about 28% of Pennsylvanians have a REAL ID driver's license, or about 3 million people, according to PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. Other states, like Georgia, have nearly 100% compliance. Carroll said that disparity is because Georgia made REAL IDs mandatory, while Pennsylvania’s General Assembly made it optional.
“The Pennsylvania General Assembly years ago decided that Pennsylvania would be an optional state. Meaning that drivers would have the opportunity to get a REAL ID now for six years, but didn’t have to,” he said. “They’re still available and will be after May 7th’s TSA deadline.”
To get that ID, you need several documents when you go to the DMV. One of the things that you need to do to obtain your real ID is proof of name change if that’s applicable.
As the date inches closer, married women face this unexpected hurdle as they try to get their REAL ID.
Delaware County Register of Wills Vincent Rongione said that’s where his office comes in.
"More women are likely to change their names when they get married," he said. "You need to come to the register of wills office and get a certified copy of your marriage certificate."
If the name on your birth certificate doesn’t match your current driver’s license or proof of residency, you won’t be able to obtain a Real ID.
And the marriage certificate you may have at home likely won’t cut it.
“Your marriage certificate, while proof of your marriage and of potentially tremendous sentimental value, is not a certified court record; what they’re looking for to verify your identity is a certified copy of your marriage record," Rongione said.
If you’ve been married more than once, you’ll need a certified legal document for each name change.
Rongione said the requirement has led to hundreds of additional marriage certificate requests each month. But many people still aren’t aware of the rule.
It costs $25 for each marriage certificate you get from the register of wills in Philadelphia and Delaware County, but officials said you can get it and go on your way on the same day.
“What we’ve seen, unfortunately, is people spending hours and hours at the DMV and becoming really frustrated and upset at their inability to obtain a REAL ID,” he said.
Those without a REAL ID after the deadline can use a passport or another approved form of ID to get onto their domestic flights, said TSA Spokesperson Lisa Farbstein.
“There are going to be people in the checkpoint queue that do not have a REAL ID-compliant license,” she said. “Those individuals can expect to face delays, additional screening, plus the possibility of not being allowed into the security checkpoint at all.”
Carroll said 57 PennDOT license centers are open six days a week to accommodate the last-minute rush to get REAL IDs.