Montgomery, AL- Today marks Star ID Day across the state of Alabama, a public awareness effort aimed at reminding residents about the upcoming enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act and encouraging them to obtain their STAR ID if they haven’t already.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is coordinating events and outreach to educate the public on the importance of the STAR ID—a federally compliant driver’s license or ID card required for boarding domestic flights and entering certain federal facilities starting May 7, 2025.
“We’re urging all Alabamians to check their IDs today,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “If your license doesn’t have a gold star in the top right corner, you may not be able to board a flight or enter a federal building without additional identification.”
To assist with the rollout, ALEA offices statewide are extending hours and offering additional services for residents seeking to upgrade to a STAR ID. The agency has also launched an online tool for checking eligibility and required documents before visiting a Driver License Examining Office.
Under the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, states must issue identification that meets federal security standards. Alabama was among the first states to begin issuing STAR IDs in 2011, but as of early 2025, a significant portion of the population still holds non-compliant licenses.
Residents need to bring a certified birth certificate or valid passport, proof of Social Security number, and two documents verifying their physical address to obtain a STAR ID.
For those without a STAR ID, alternative forms of identification—such as a passport—will still be accepted for air travel.
For more information, visit alea.gov/star-id.
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https://weisradio.com/2025/02/12/alabama-law-enforcement-agency-releases-statement-on-star-id/
