REAL ID UPDATE

The process is similar to Alaska’s current driver’s license/ID card application process but with added requirements. All applicants for a compliant card, including current Alaska card holders, must apply in person and provide DMV with source documentation, even if it was previously submitted:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or other Lawful Status
• Proof of Name Change (if applicable)
• 2 Documents Verifying Alaska Residency
• Social Security Number (SSN)
  • If you do not have an SSN, provide a letter of ineligibility for an SSN from the Social Security Administration

You can find a list of source documents that Alaska currently accepts for REAL-ID cards here

For a complete list of the FEES click here.

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.” The Act established requirements for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification (ID) cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet the requirements.

As of April 17, 2019 the State of Alaska is REAL ID Compliant.

Starting May 7, 2025, identification cards that do not meet federal standards cannot be used to enter federal buildings, military bases, or to board commercial flights. However, if you do not require entry to these facilities, a REAL ID may not be necessary for you. You might already possess an alternative form of identification that complies with REAL ID requirements, such as a valid passport, military ID, or certain tribal IDs. For air travel, while a REAL ID is not mandatory, you must present an ID that meets federal guidelines. For a detailed list of IDs accepted by the TSA, please refer to their comprehensive guide available here.

Indeed, identification cards that do not meet compliance standards will continue to be accepted until May 2, 2023.

However, from May 7, 2025, onwards, individuals will need a license or ID card that is compliant with REAL ID standards or another form of identification recognized by the federal government to gain entry into federal facilities, nuclear power plants, and to board commercial flights.

Please be aware that specific federal facilities, including military bases, might have restrictions on the types of identification documents accepted for entry. We advise checking with the federal facility or military base prior to your visit.

Individuals with Alaska licenses and ID cards that meet compliance standards can utilize these documents to enter federal buildings, including military bases, and to board domestic commercial flights without the need for further documentation. However, starting from May 2025, older versions of cards and those standard cards labeled with "federal limits apply" will no longer be valid for entry into federal facilities or bases, nor for boarding commercial airplanes. Please note that for international air travel, a U.S. passport book is necessary.

Starting January 2nd, 2019, state law requires all new CDLs to be federally compliant. New means:

• First ever CDL
• Transferring an out of state CDL (even if you previously held an Alaska CDL)
• Upgrade of an existing CDL
• add/remove endorsements
• add/remove restrictions
• pursuing a higher class
• Renewal of an existing CDL that will soon expire

All standard CDL cards currently in circulation continue to be valid until they expire. However, this type of CDL can only be used for official federal purposes while Alaska has an extension from DHS and ends on the federal enforcement date of May 7, 2025. 

Duplicates of a non-REAL ID CDL issued prior to January 2019 may still be issued to replace a lost CDL.  Current CDL holders may choose to get a REAL ID CDL any time after January 2nd, 2019 but are not required to do so until renewal. Duplicate means:

• An exact copy of what was issued before the law change
• A card reissued to update personal information not considered an upgrade or change to commercial privileges. For example:
  • change of name
  • change of address
  • addition or removal of general driving restrictions (e.g. restriction 1 – corrective lenses)

In summary, CDL holders have the following options:

• Mandatory upgrade to REAL ID upon renewal to keep the CDL (may require a new hazmat check, as applicable)
• Voluntarily upgrade to REAL ID CDL anytime (may require a new hazmat check, as applicable)
• Downgrade to non-commercial DL upon CDL expiration if the CDL isn’t needed/wanted.
• Stick with the standard CDL in hand knowing that it can't be used to access federal facilities past May 7, 2025 but is otherwise valid until expiration.

Under both federal and state laws, a check is mandated every five years, irrespective of the CDL's validity period. Beginning December 20, 2018, the expiration date for the hazardous materials endorsement will be displayed on the back of the CDL. To maintain this endorsement, a new threat assessment and the issuance of a duplicate CDL are necessary.

Per Alaska Statute 28.15.046, a school bus license is valid for a period of 5 years.

To obtain a copy of your birth certificate for a REAL ID-compliant license, please go to www.vitalrecords.alaska.gov and click on “Birth Certificates” under the “Order Certificates” section. Complete the request form and submit it along with the required documentation and fee.

For individuals born in Alaska who do not have a birth certificate on file, please reach out to the Alaska Vital Records Office at (907) 465-3391 or visit www.vitalrecords.alaska.gov. You will need to provide:

• An Application for Delayed Birth Registration
• Evidence proving your birth in Alaska, such as school or immunization records
• A completed Birth Certificate Order form along with a fee of $60

Should you have any inquiries about the process for requesting or applying for a birth certificate, feel free to contact the Alaska Vital Records Office at (907) 465-3391. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8AM to 5PM Alaska Time.

Please visit the nationwide site by clicking here to determine if you can obtain a copy of your document.

Alaska has updated its identification cards with a modern, secure, and durable design. Both the standard ID cards and REAL ID-compliant cards feature the new design but are distinguished by specific markings. REAL ID cards will display a star symbol in the top right corner to indicate compliance, while standard ID cards will not have the star and will include the notation "Federal limits apply." Additionally, the validity period for all card types has been extended from five to eight years.

Highlights of the New Secure Card Features: The Alaska DMV is excited to introduce their newly redesigned driver's licenses and ID cards, which are now made from a highly secure material known as polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is recognized for its exceptional durability and is considered the best substrate available for incorporating advanced level 1 security features. This material significantly enhances the card's resistance to counterfeiting and fraudulent attacks.

The redesigned cards also feature state-of-the-art security enhancements and additional features, which include:

Regular card fees, plus a $20 REAL ID Fee. License fees can be found here.

For example:

• Driver’s license fee ($20) + REAL ID fee ($20) = $40 for a REAL ID license
• Identification card fee ($15) + REAL ID fee ($20) = $35 for a REAL ID Identification card
• CDL fee ($100) + REAL ID fee ($20) = $120 for a REAL ID CDL
• Senior ID ($0) + REAL ID fee ($20) = $20 for a senior REAL ID

Remember card validity is increasing to up to 8-years

Under federal and state regulations, individuals are permitted to possess only one REAL ID-compliant card and a single driver’s license at any given time. In Alaska, it is possible for residents to have both an Alaska Driver’s License and an Alaska Identification card concurrently; however, just one of these can meet REAL ID standards. Additionally, individuals are allowed to have identification cards from different states, provided that only one of these is REAL ID compliant and the driver’s license does not adhere to REAL ID criteria. The rules regarding the issuance of these credentials can differ from one state to another. While Alaska permits the holding of various types of identification credentials, this practice is not universally accepted across all states. Obtaining a REAL ID license or ID card in Alaska could lead to the cancellation of identification cards from other states, in accordance with the regulations of the state that issued them.

No. 

REAL ID does not establish a federal database for driver’s license information nor does it introduce national identification cards. Instead, REAL ID represents a collection of national standards designed to enhance the issuance process of licenses and identification cards. Each jurisdiction remains responsible for producing its own distinct licenses, managing its records, and regulating access to those records based on specific conditions. The primary goal of REAL ID is to improve the consistency and security of our identity verification documents.

No, REAL ID cards do not contain a chip.

The "Limited Term" designation on a REAL ID card signifies that the expiration date is aligned with the temporary resident's authorized period of stay in the U.S., which is usually shorter than the standard license period of up to 8 years. This marking is specific to REAL ID cards and does not pertain to standard cards, which may also have reduced expiration dates corresponding to the holder's authorized stay.

For detailed information on the various card types available in Alaska, please refer to our Alaska Card Types Flyer.

• TSA Acceptable forms of Identification.
• Click here for more TSA info.