Department Of Public Safety Issues Some Real IDs, Encourages Oklahomans To Prepare Documents

OKLAHOMA CITY - The state is beginning to issue some Real IDs, more than 15 years after the federal requirement was passed.

Oklahoma will be one of the last states to comply with the stricter verification standards, and COVID-19 has delayed the release even more.

News On 6's Amy Slanchik went to the Department of Public Safety Wednesday to go through the process of getting a card. Others who have received their cards are DPS employees, while the department runs a pilot program with the new system.

Slanchik was the 119th Oklahoman to go through the process of getting a Real ID.

The whole process took about 15 minutes, and involved taking her fingerprints, a close look at her paperwork, and of course, a new picture.

Randy Rogers is the state's Real ID Project Manager and said he has learned a lot from other states who started going through this process before Oklahoma.

"One of the biggest issues they had, and it's a big concern for us, is people not bringing the right documentation,” Rogers said.

The Department of Public Safety said people will need to have their current driver's license. To prove your identity, you'll need a document like your birth certificate or passport. You'll also need proof of social security. DPS said if people don’t have their cards, they can also bring a current W-2 form, or a pay stub showing their social security number. In addition, people will need two documents to prove where they live, like a mortgage deed or a utility bill.

Oklahomans can start preparing now by going to the DPS website to look at different options

The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 attacks.

Rogers explained part of the reason it has taken 15 years to get to this point.

"Well, there's a lot of states, there's a lot of things. We had to have legislative approval. We didn't receive legislative approval until 2017,” he said.

About 1,000 tag agents and examiners need to be trained on the new system before people come in. The state is expecting more than a half million Oklahomans to get a Real ID. Not everyone will need one.

"If you have a passport or a military ID, or even if you don't fly. If your license is not expired, don't come stand in a long line. You've already got your ability to fly,” Rogers said.

TSA will require a Real ID, passport or military ID in order for a person to board a domestic flight beginning October 1, 2021.

DPS said for the first time, it will mail the new ID rather than hand it over immediately. The department said that should take about 7-10 days after a person comes in for them to receive their card.

Rogers said there is a bison that shows up on the card when you hold it up to light, and the words "The Oklahoma Standard" are printed on the card.

The state said the goal is to start issuing Real IDs to the public starting July 1st. The department said when it begins issuing to the public, it will likely only be at certain locations in the Oklahoma City metro. The department said there will be a statewide rollout after that, with the most populated areas issuing first.