Three Million Californians With Real ID Need Additional Proof of Address

California DMV Accused of Violating Voter Registration Law

Bad news for residents in California who thought they had their federally compliant REAL ID driver's license. Due to a glitch, the Department of Motor Vehicles will need to contact residents to request additional proof of their address.

According to the Sacramento Bee, California's DMV did not adhere to Homeland Security's requirements when they developed their state's REAL ID program. In a letter sent to California Gov. Gavin Newsom by the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, the DMV failed to require adequate verification of Californian's address when they signed up for their new REAL ID card.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, was an effort to enact the 9/11 Commission's recommendation the Federal Government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses." The legislation attempted to bring states up to minimum security standards for state-issued licenses and identification cards.

Beginning on Oct 1, 2020, REAL ID cards will be required for those boarding domestic flights and entering military bases/federal facilities.

According to a statement from the DMV, up to 3.4 million Californians who have already received a Real ID card must provide the agency with additional proof of their address.

"The DMV will be sending letters to individuals who submitted one proof of residency to acquire their Real ID card, informing them to send the letter back to DMV to serve as their proof of second residency," a statement from the DMV reads. The DMV has until June 20 to send the letters to residents in California with the improper ID.

The mistake is another black eye for California's DMV which has had major problems implementing the REAL ID program. Long wait times, sometimes up to eight hours, have plagued DMV offices as workers struggle to keep up with demand.

Photo: Getty Images


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