A sign at the federal courthouse April 6, 2016, in Tacoma, Wash., informs visitors of the federal government’s Real ID Act, which requires state driver’s licenses and ID cards to have security enhancements and be issued to people who can prove they are legally in the United States.

JEFFERSON CITY— Missourians soon won’t be able to fly or enter federal facilities with a standard-issue state identification card.

Starting on May 7, all Americans will be required to use a Real ID or passport.

Real ID is part of a federal effort starting in 2005 to standardize ID requirements across states to improve security. In Missouri, Real IDs have a gold star in the upper right corner.

To get a Real ID, Missourians must present documents verifying their identity, lawful status, Social Security number and proof of residency. The Missouri Department of Revenue has a list of eligible documents under the license section of its website. With the proper documents, Missourians can get a Real ID at any license office.

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The Revenue Department suggests starting the renewal process early. If you need to fly on May 7, it’s recommended to order a Real ID by April 1. A list of responses to frequently asked questions can be found on the department’s website.

According to data released by the department, 41% of license holders have a Real ID.

It costs $13.50 to renew a driver’s license for three years in Missouri.

A Real ID is not required to continue driving in the state.

Congress passed the REAL ID Act, which set minimum security standards for identification, in 2005. The federal law followed recommendations from the 9/11 Commission.

But Missouri lawmakers, citing privacy concerns, voted in 2009 to prohibit the state from complying with the federal regulations. In 2017, they pushed for waiver from the federal government allowing Missourians to travel with a standard driver’s license. The state eventually developed an ID that complied with federal requirements in 2019.

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