Anyone planning to fly domestically after May 7 this year will need an Alabama STAR ID or a federally accepted form of identification before boarding the plan. 

The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 will take effect on May 7, meaning Alabamians will need a REAL ID-compliant identification, including Alabama’s STAR ID, before boarding a domestic flight or entering certain federal facilities. The federal REAL ID Act was passed with the aim of enhancing state-issued identification in response to the 9/11 terrorist attack. Alabama’s STAR ID is compliant with the REAL ID Act.

“Currently, citizens who fly domestic are able to use their regular driver licenses or other photo identity cards issued by their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to board a plane,” explained Holley Cook, Director of ALEA’s Driver License Division. “However, the REAL ID Act changes this. If you plan to use your state-issued ID or driver license to fly within the U.S. then it must be REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025. In Alabama, the REAL ID is known as a STAR ID.” 

Alabama has been issuing STAR IDs statewide since 2012. The STAR ID is an enhanced version of the standard Alabama driver’s license. The STAR ID looks the same as a standard driver’s license but has a gold dot with a white star in the upper, left hand corner. 

To obtain a STAR ID, people are required to present a valid form of identification, documentation confirming date of birth, documentation proving authorization to be in the United States and two documents confirming the applicant’s address. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has an online guide – https://al.accessgov.com/star-id/Forms/Page/star-id/star-id/0 – to assist people with the required documentation. 

“Currently, citizens who fly domestic are able to use their regular driver licenses or other photo identity cards issued by their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to board a plane,” explained Holley Cook, Director of ALEA’s Driver License Division. “However, the REAL ID Act changes this. If you plan to use your state-issued ID or driver license to fly within the U.S. then it must be REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025. In Alabama, the REAL ID is known as a STAR ID.”

Pike County Probate Judge Michael Bunn said STAR IDs can be obtained from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver’s License Office in the Pike County Courthouse on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. People will be required to bring all necessary documentation to obtain the STAR ID. Bunn said anyone who already has a STAR ID and needs to renew their driver’s license can do so with the probate office. 

STAR ID is just one of several forms of acceptable identification. Other IDs accepted by the Transportation Security Administration include: 

• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

STAR ID is an optional form of identification and is not required by the state. The normal Alabama Driver’s license will remain valid for all forms of identification except for domestic flights. 

“If you don’t plan to fly or plan on visiting certain federal facilities, including some military installations, then a STAR ID is not necessary,” Cook said. “Your regular Alabama driver license will continue to be valid for driving, voting, and other everyday activities. It is completely up to the individual if they wish to get a STAR ID or not.”