South Hennepin News

Rep. Joe McDonald (R-Delano) urges Minnesota residents to get a Real ID ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline that will require travelers 18 years of age or older to have a specific form of identification in order to fly or enter federal facilities.

“House Republicans worked hard to make the best of a bad situation in terms of complying with federal guidelines while also protecting citizens’ data security,” McDonald said. “In the end, state law does not require people to get a Real ID driver’s license, so you can opt out if you choose to do so. Just know that, as of Oct. 1, abstaining from Real ID means you must supply a passport or other acceptable form of ID to board an airplane because the standard IDs we have been using for years will no longer suffice. Those who decide to get a Real ID are advised to do so now in case backlogs grow and turnaround time is slowed as we near October.”

McDonald’s Jan. 9 legislative update noted that fewer than 10 percent of Minnesota residents are compliant with the new ID standards, and the state is taking weeks to process applications. McDonald said the pressures on turnaround time could intensify in coming months.

He urges individuals to visit the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s website to learn about the online pre-application and documents that are necessary to get a Real ID driver’s license, enhanced license, or state ID card.