International Students: Tsa-Compliant Licenses In Ohio?

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards. This means that federal agencies, including the TSA, will only accept state-issued IDs that meet the security requirements established by the REAL ID Act. To obtain a REAL ID-compliant license in Ohio, you must provide documentation that proves your name and date of birth, social security number, and two documents proving your residential address. This raises the question: can international students in Ohio obtain a TSA-compliant license?

TSA requirements for international students

International students in Ohio who are interested in obtaining a TSA-compliant driver's license or identification card must follow specific requirements and guidelines. Here is some information regarding the process:

Firstly, it's important to understand the difference between a Compliant Card and a Standard Card. A Compliant Card, also known as a REAL ID-compliant license, meets all federal requirements for boarding commercial flights within the U.S. and accessing federal facilities or military bases. This card has a star in the upper part to indicate its compliance. To obtain a Compliant Card, individuals must provide documentation proving their identity, name, date of birth (such as a birth certificate or passport), social security number, and Ohio residency. Two documents from different sources are required to prove residency in Ohio, such as utility bills. Obtaining a Compliant Card requires more documentation than a Standard Card.

On the other hand, a Standard Card does not meet national travel security requirements on its own. It must be accompanied by a passport or other acceptable documents approved by the TSA for flying commercially or accessing federal facilities or military bases. A Standard Card does not require additional identity documents unless it is being issued for the first time. Both Compliant and Standard Cards allow individuals to prove their identity for various tasks, such as buying alcohol, obtaining social services, or registering to vote. It's important to note that neither the Compliant Card nor the Standard Card can be used for international travel, including Canada and Mexico, as a passport is required for such trips.

Additionally, there are specific considerations for minor children under the age of 18. If they are flying with their parents, they do not need a Compliant Card. However, unaccompanied minors who wish to fly commercially will need either a Compliant Card or a Standard Card with other federally approved documentation.

For international students seeking a TSA-compliant license in Ohio, it is essential to renew their driver's license or identification card early if they want it to be federally compliant. Ohio Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards issued before July 2, 2018, will not be accepted by the TSA after October 1, 2020. The REAL ID full enforcement deadline has been extended to May 3, 2023, by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Furthermore, international students involved in flight training or seeking a pilot's certificate may have additional TSA requirements. Non-US citizens receiving flight training must apply to the Flight Student Security Program (FTSP) and obtain TSA approval before initiating simulator or aircraft training. This includes initial pilot certification and recurrent training for type-ratings.

Ohio's REAL ID deadline

The REAL ID deadline for Ohio is May 7, 2025. From this date, Ohio travelers must show a REAL ID to get through airport security. This is a federally accepted form of identification that meets national travel security requirements needed to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. A regular driver's license will no longer be sufficient to fly within the US, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is urging flyers to upgrade to a REAL ID as soon as possible.

To obtain a REAL ID-compliant license through the Ohio BMV, you must provide documents that prove your name and date of birth (such as a birth certificate or passport), social security number (such as a Social Security card), and two additional documents proving your residential address (such as utility bills). The Ohio BMV also has a Compliant Card interactive checklist to help you work out what documents to bring to a deputy registrar agency.

The REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card was introduced and passed by Congress 20 years ago and has seen multiple delays over the years. The United States Department of Homeland Security extended the REAL ID full enforcement deadline from October 1, 2021, to May 3, 2023, and it has now been pushed back again to May 7, 2025.

It's important to note that a REAL ID cannot be used for international travel, including Canada and Mexico. A passport is still required for international travel.

Documents required for a standard card

To obtain a standard card in Ohio, you must provide documents to prove the following:

• Identity: You must provide unexpired proof of your identity. This can include a birth certificate, passport, or document(s) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If your name has changed and is no longer the same as the name on your birth certificate, passport, or DHS-issued document, you must bring an original or certified copy of a name change document, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree.
• Social Security Number: You will need to provide your Social Security Number. Form BMV 5745 can be used to prove your SSN if you have previously established it with the BMV.
• Ohio Residency: You must provide two documents from different sources that prove your Ohio street address. These documents must be listed on the Acceptable Document List as proof of Ohio residency.

Please note that the standard card does not require additional identity documents unless the driver's license or identification card is being issued for the first time. Both the standard and compliant cards allow you to prove your identity for tasks such as buying alcohol, obtaining social services, or registering to vote. However, a standard card cannot be used for air travel, entering federal facilities, or accessing military bases without additional documentation approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or other federal requirements.

Documents required for a compliant card

To obtain a TSA-compliant card in Ohio, you must provide documents that prove the following:

• Proof of identity: This includes documents such as a birth certificate or passport. The document must be unexpired and bear the applicant's legal name. If the applicant's legal name has changed, they must provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or other certified documents, to connect their birth name with their current legal name.
• Social Security Number (SSN): Applicants must provide their SSN, which can be proven with a Social Security card or Form BMV 5745 if the SSN was previously established with the BMV.
• Proof of Ohio residency: Two documents from different sources are required to prove the applicant's Ohio street address. Acceptable documents include utility bills or other items listed on the Acceptable Document List.

It's important to note that a compliant card cannot be used for international travel, including travel to Canada and Mexico. A passport or other TSA-approved documentation is still required for such trips.

The deadline for obtaining a Real ID in Ohio was extended from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025, due to the impact of the pandemic. After this date, a compliant license or identification card will be required for air travel within the U.S. and to access certain federal facilities or military bases.

Where to obtain a TSA-compliant license

To obtain a TSA-compliant license, you must go through your state's driver's licensing agency. In the case of Ohio, this is the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

The Ohio BMV offers two types of driver's licenses or identification cards: a compliant card and a standard card. The standard card does not require additional identity documents unless the driver's license or identification card is being issued for the first time. The compliant card, on the other hand, requires more documentation than the standard card. To obtain a compliant card, you must provide documents that prove your identity, such as a birth certificate or passport, social security number, and two additional documents proving your residential address.

The Ohio BMV website provides a full list of identity documents and an interactive process to assist you in determining what to bring to a deputy registrar agency. You can also refer to the TSA website for more information on security screening and identification requirements.

It is important to note that a TSA-compliant license or identification card is not required for international travel, including Canada and Mexico, as a passport is still necessary for these trips. Additionally, TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States.

Frequently asked questions