WINSTON COUNTY - One year ago, Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Secretary Hal Taylor were urging Alabamians to obtain their STAR ID by Oct. 1, 2020.
However, in response to COVID-19, President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Homeland Security to extend the deadline to obtain a STAR ID to Oct. 1, 2021. This allows all citizens an additional year to obtain the more secure form of identification as government offices reopen and pandemic-related health guidelines are lifted.
STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted and Reliable Identification, is Alabama’s fully complaint version of the REAL ID Act of 2005. Federal legislation passed the REAL ID Act in response to the Sept. 1, 2001, attacks and the ongoing threats of additional terrorist activity, as well as various immigration issues related to terrorism. The law modified U.S. federal law on security, authentication and issuance procedure standards for state driver licenses and identification cards.
Taylor emphasized citizens must visit one of ALEA’s offices to obtain their first STAR ID. License commissioners and probate offices across the state will continue to offer renewal and duplicate services for STAR ID, driver license and ID cards.
“Customers will need to present a birth certificate (original or certified copy) or valid unexpired U.S. passport, a Social security card and two documents verifying address of principal residence,” Taylor said.
For more information, go to www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/star-id.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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