JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA –
Are you tracking South Carolina's recent extension on the REAL ID Act of 2005?
The Department of Homeland Security granted South Carolina a four and a half month extension for making the necessary changes to the state driver's license required by the federal REAL ID Act.
At this time, a South Carolina driver's license remains an acceptable form of identification for accessing the installation.
Real ID Act information and answers to common questions:
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses." The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.
The following are noncompliant States/Territories. At midnight on 15 Sep 2016, Joint Base Charleston (JB CHS) will no longer accept licenses from these states unless it is an Enhanced Driver’s License:
Missouri
**Washington
**Minnesota
** Indicates these states are issuing enhanced driver’s license that are good for installation access
The following states/territories will become noncompliant at midnight on 29 Jan 2017; JB Charleston will no longer accept licenses from these states:
Kentucky
Maine
Montana
Pennsylvania
The following states/territories have an extension allowing driver's licenses until 6 Jun 2017. At midnight on 5 Jun 2017, JB Charleston will no longer accept licenses from these states:
Alaska
California
Oregon
Virginia
Oklahoma
S. Carolina
The following states/territories have an extension, allowing driver's licenses until 10 Oct 2017. At midnight on 9 Oct 2017, JB Charleston will no longer accept licenses from these states:
Louisiana
Michigan
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Texas Virgin Islands
N. Dakota
N. Marianas
New York
N. Carolina
New Hampshire
Puerto Rico
Idaho
New Jersey
Am. Samoa
Illinois
Guam
The following states/territories are compliant with the REAL ID Act:
Alabama
Hawaii
Nevada
Arizona
Indiana
S. Dakota
Colorado
Iowa
Tennessee
Connecticut
Kansas
Utah
Delaware
Maryland
Vermont
Washington D.C.
Mississippi
West Virginia
Florida
Nebraska
Wisconsin
Georgia
Ohio
Wyoming
Arkansas
New Mexico
Below are acceptable forms of identification for identity proofing for access to JB Charleston if you do not have an enhanced driver’s License:
- United States Passport or Passport Card, not expired
- Driver’s License or other state photo ID card issued by DMV or equivalent, IAW REAL ID enforcement schedule
- An ID card issued by Federal, State or local government agencies with the all the required REAL ID Act information
- Personal Identification Verification (PIV) card issued by Federal Government
- Veterans Health Identification Card issued by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Interoperable (PIV-I) cards issued by No-Federal Government entities
- Certificate of Naturalization/ Certificate of Citizenship (form N-550)
- Permanent Resident Card/Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551)
- DHS “Trusted Traveler” Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- Border Crossing Card (Form DSP-150)
- An employment authorization document that contains a photograph (Form I-766)
- U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Cards Credentials
- U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)
- U.S. Refugee travel document or other travel document or evidence of immigration status issued by DHS containing a photograph
- A Foreign Government Issued Passport
- US Military ID (including retirees and dependents)
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Please contact Pass and Registration at 963-7807/ 6148/5729 or 794-7417/7170/41212 if you have any questions or need additional information.
Q & A Real ID Act
Q: When does the implementation start?
A: The implementation of the REAL ID Act at Air Force Installations will begin on 15 September 2016.
Q: Does this affect those with a military, retiree, dependent or CAC ID?
A: No. There is no change for base access to individuals who already possess military or DoD issued credentials; non-DoD personnel without base access credentials will be the largest demographic affected by REAL ID Act requirements.
Q: What identification is required of minors?
A: There is no change to current procedures. When entering an installation with an individual in possession of a REAL ID Act compliant identification card, minors are not required to have an identification credential.
Q: If I have a military ID and want to take my mom on base, does she need to get a background check?
A: If you are a military ID cardholder and she is under your escort, she only needs to show a picture ID. If she needs unescorted access, i.e., entering the installation on her own, she will need a REAL ID Act compliant credential to be issued an access pass. A background check will be done prior to issuing the pass.
Q: I have guests attending a personal event for someone on base, do they each need a background check for this or just an access pass?
A: If you are escorting them in your vehicle, a photo ID will suffice without a background check. If you have guests that need to travel unescorted onto an Air Force Installation, guests 18 and over will need a background check and an access pass. The passes will be valid for the duration of the visit. Background checks and passes are issued at the Visitor Control Center (VCC). In order to conduct the background check, a REAL ID Act compliant credential will be required to establish individual identity.
Q: Do you need to get a new driver’s license or passport?
A: You have until Oct 2020 to replace your current license with a REAL ID compliant license, as long as your state is compliant or is noncompliant with an extension.
Q: I am a DoD contractor with a Common Access Card. Can I bring my wife onto the installation without her needing a background check or access pass?
A: No. Your wife will require a background check and access pass. Contractors are not authorized to escort uncleared visitors on the installation.
Q: What’s needed to access a base?
A: Access to Air Force installations is based upon, identify proofing, a background check and a purpose for entry. Installation commanders may deny access and issuance of access credentials based upon information obtained during the background process that indicates the individual may present a threat to the good order and discipline of the installation.
Q: Why are background checks being implemented on visitors?
A: Homeland Security Presidential Directive #12 directs the Department of Defense to use the National Crime Information Center – Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) to vet personnel entering any military installation who do not possess a U.S. Government Common Access Card or Uniformed Services Identification Card.
Q: What is NCIC?
A: NCIC is the National Crime Information Center
– Interstate ID Index. It is the DoD minimum baseline background check required for entrance onto military installations for non-DoD ID Card holder and visitors. Visitors under the age of 18 will not have an NCIC check conducted.
Q: Is DHS trying to build a national database with all of our information?
A: No. REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card. REAL ID does not create a federal database of driver license information. Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. The purpose of REAL ID is to make our identity documents more consistent and secure.
Q: Why are some states still not compliant? Isn’t this law?
A: It is Federal law. REAL ID is Federal law requiring Federal agencies to restrict the circumstances under which they may accept state- issued driver’s licenses and identification cards for official purposes. Participation by states is voluntary, although Federal agencies are prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses or identification cards from noncompliant states for official purposes.