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New state ID’s will become federal requirement in 2020

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Sean MacEntee

New state ID’s will become a requirement for boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings starting in 2020.

Those ID’s, called READ ID’s, will be available to Michigan residents starting next week.

Fred Woodhams is with the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office. He said the changes have been a long time coming.

“The Federal REAL ID Act was created by congress in 2005 and it sets security standards for the issuance of driver's license and ID cards. It was created in the wake of the September 11th 2001 attacks.”

Woodhams said the ID’s won’t be required for driving or purchasing age restricted items.

“It’s entirely optional, the compliant card does not cost anything extra. You’ll simply pay your normal renewal fee that you would before but if you want a complaint license you’ll have to bring in a certified birth certificate.”

Woodhams said other forms of identification can be used to get the complaint card including passports or other secretary of state approved identification documents.

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