This news site began highlighting South Carolina’s non-compliance with federal personal identification guidelines last December. We followed that up with a more extensive treatment of the issue in March.
The gist of the story? The Palmetto State has failed to issue government identification cards compliant with federal mandates – meaning millions of South Carolinians could be forced to spend hours in line at the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) prior to the federal deadline to get their new IDs.
Without these new “compliant” IDs, citizens would not be allowed to pass through U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints beginning next year – which means they won’t be able to board airplanes for domestic flights.
The cost to fix all of this? At least $30 million …
When is this deadline set to take effect? Well, it was originally scheduled to hit on January 22, but this week the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended that deadline to October 10, 2018.
Is this good news?
Yes and no …
The extension does give South Carolina more time to bring its IDs into compliance – and more importantly, it provides an extended window of time for citizens to get the new IDs from SCDMV.
The problem? The new IDs aren’t ready yet … and apparently won’t be ready until next year.
Obtaining one is also shaping up to be a hassle-filled process that will place a major strain on SCDMV – and create major headaches for citizens.
South Carolinians wishing to receive a federally compliant ID from the state must “bring all of the following documents to an SCDMV branch now.”
- Proof of Identity
- Examples: Birth certificate or valid US Passport
- Proof of Social Security Number
- Examples: Social security card or W-2 Form that has your social security number and name and your employer’s name
- Two Proofs of Current, Physical SC Address
- Examples: Current, unexpired SC license or ID and a no more than 90-day-old utility bill with the same name and address
- Proof of all Legal Name Changes
- Examples: Marriage license or court order issued by your county’s probate or family court
You must show a complete name change history that links your birth certificate name to your present day name. If you have a valid US Passport or US Passport Card with your legal name, you may use that as your name change document.
- Examples: Marriage license or court order issued by your county’s probate or family court
Oh, and citizens must bring original or certified copies of all of these documents. The SCDMV will not accept copied or scanned versions.
See what we mean? A major hassle …
In fact, we’re not sure South Carolina’s leaders have fully thought through the ramifications of this situation … or its costs.
Also, if the current October 10 deadline holds this “Real ID” debacle could reach peak logjam status just one month before statewide elections. That means all the incumbent politicians who have been asleep at the wheel on this issue for years could face some serious backlash.
South Carolina is one of nine states that is not currently compliant with the federal government’s Real ID Act -which was passed back in 2005 as a response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our stories? Please feel free to submit your own guest column or letter to the editor via-email HERE. Got a tip for us? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question? CLICK HERE. Want to support what we’re doing? SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Banner via iStock