Arkansas who want an easier time utilizing airline services or entering federal buildings must secure a new identification card prior to May 7.
According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (ADFA), Arkansas is taking part in the federal nationwide initiative to “improve the security of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.”
The ADFA says the REAL ID driver’s license, issued by the ADFA’s revenue office believes the new ID cards will “help fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud.”
Beginning May 7, anyone who intends to board a domestic flight or enters a federal building will need a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card or will need to provide a regular identification and additional accepted forms of identification.
The REAL ID looks similar to the existing cards such as driver’s licenses and identification cards provided to patrons by the same office who issues new REAL ID cards, however; obtaining a REAL ID requires additional documentation and the card itself features a gold star indicating it is a REAL ID.
All documents must: have full legal name, birth name with all linking documents (marriage, divorce, adoption or court records) linking your legal name to original birth name. If linking documents are missing, you are required to complete an Affidavit of Legal Name change in front of a DFA (Department of Finance Administration) employee; no birth cards or hospital birth certificates; border crossing cards will not be accepted. Applicants who are not United States Citizens must be run through S.A.V. E.; if you were born outside of the United States, your name must be updated with Homeland Security to reflect the name change.
All documents must have full legal name.
Some forms of identification which may be acceptable include: current driver’s license; photo school ID; concealed handgun license; Arkansas vehicle registration/title; court order (must have seal); last year’s tax return; marriage certificate/license; military ID/ dependent ID; armed forces discharge papers; certified school record or transcript/ home school notice of intent form; Bureau of Indian Affairs card/ Indian Treaty card ( tribal cards not accepted); pilot’s license; prison release document; sentencing order or booking order with photo; federal or state government issued ID; pension or retirement statement.
Additional documentation required includes: social security card and two Arkansas residency documents such as: utility bill; current lease/rental agreement or mortgage statement; bank statement, telephone cable or internet bill, current health, automobile or homeowners insurance; state or federal tax return that is less than one year old; voter registration that is less than four years old; personal property tax receipt or assessment; pay slip or salary statement wit employer name; tuition invoice/office mail from college or university/ school record or transcript; homeless shelter agreement; medical or dental bill; on formal letterhead, a letter from a bank manager, medical practitioner, accountant, attorney or employer on company letterhead that stats that he or she has known the applicant for three years and confirms the applicant’s physical residential address.
Post Office box addresses are not recognized. All forms of identification whether primary or secondary must include your full legal name.
Visit https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/mydmv-service/real-id/ for more information.
The cost is $10 for exchange or $40 to receive a newly issued ID with a new date.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
