UPCOMING CHANGE TO HAWAII’S REAL ID COMPLIANT CREDENTIALS
Star in a gold circle marking to appear on Hawaii State Driver’s Licenses or State Identification Cards issued on or after Jan. 16, 2018
News Release from HDoT, Jan 9, 2018
HONOLULU – Effective January 16, 2018, REAL ID compliant Hawaii driver’s licenses or State identification cards will be issued with a “star in a gold circle” marking.
On September 9, 2013, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) received notification from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that the State was determined to be fully compliant with the REAL ID Act of 2005 and that Federal agencies would continue to accept driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by Hawaii for official Federal purposes such as boarding commercial airlines and accessing Federal facilities.
Originally, DHS decided that states did not have to put the “star in a gold circle” marking on their compliant driver’s license and identification cards as long as those states followed the marking requirements for non-compliant credentials. DHS approved Hawaii’s “marked” non-complaint credential which is a different color and clearly marked “NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR OFFICIAL FEDERAL PURPOSES.” Recently, DHS changed this policy to provide Federal agencies an easier means of recognizing REAL ID compliant credentials.
Therefore, beginning January 16, 2018, applicants for the REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses or State identification cards will be required to select on their application form which credential (i.e., a driver’s license or state identification card) will be marked with a “star in a gold circle.” Federal and State law allows a person to have only one REAL ID compliant credential.
According to DHS, every person traveling domestically on a commercial airline will need to present a REAL ID compliant credential or another acceptable form of identification by October 1, 2020. HDOT is working with DHS on continued acceptance of Hawaii’s current unmarked REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards as identification for official Federal purposes such as boarding commercial airlines and accessing Federal facilities.
Electronic fillable driver’s license and State identification card application forms will be available on-line on HDOT’s website January 16, 2018.
For more information on REAL ID
City clarifies that Real ID ‘gold star’ not needed until October 2020
News Release from City and County of Honolulu, Jan 18, 2018
Honolulu – The Department of Customer Services wishes to clarify for O‘ahu residents that the new federal-compliant “Real ID” marked with a gold star is not needed until October 2020.
All Hawai'i-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards – with or without a gold star in the upper right-hand corner – are fully compliant with federal standards.
To get ahead of the new “Real ID” mandates, all counties in Hawai‘i began offering the gold star option on newly issued and renewed driver’s licenses and ID cards on January 16, 2018. At the same time, the state Department of Transportation is seeking an extension of the October 2020 gold star deadline for Hawai'i.
There is no rush for O‘ahu residents to obtain a driver’s license or ID card marked with a star in a gold circle. There also is no change to the renewal or duplicate fees.
Residents, however, will have to choose between holding a federal-compliant driver’s license or state ID. They will not be issued both. ID cards already issued will remain valid through their expiration dates.
A federal compliant REAL ID driver license or ID card is optional. Meaning, a valid U.S. passport, or military ID can also be used for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal facility. Driver’s licenses or ID cards with a gold star will be one of the acceptable credentials needed beginning October 1, 2020.
First-time applicants or those renewing expiring Hawai‘i licenses or IDs must use the new application form to select the card that will bear the star. The star will appear on the temporary paper card received on-site, and on the permanent plastic card mailed to the address on file.
Since 2013, the following documents have been required to obtain a driver's license or state ID:
- Proof of identity: Examples include a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card or foreign passport with an approved form I-94.
- Proof of social security number: Examples include a Social Security card, W-2, or paystub with full social security number.
- Hawai'i residency document: a rental agreement, mortgage bill, utility bill, bank statement, medical invoice, employment or school document.
- Name change document: This may be required if your identity document is different from the name on your application. For example, a marriage certificate, adoption papers, name change or other court document.
Visit license.honolulu.gov to use the city's interactive document guide, make an appointment at Kapālama Hale, access an application form, view the service line cameras, or locate service centers across the island.
For more information, contact Harold Nedd at (808) 225-0716.