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The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. The Act requires that federal agencies view compliant identification for accessing certain federal facilities, including accessing nonpublic areas of Fermilab and boarding commercial aircraft.

The Act went into effect on May 3, 2023. To comply with the Act, Fermilab took actions including applying the requirements to the badging process for employees, users, affiliates, authorized guests, scientists emeriti, retired guests and subcontractors.

All employees, users, affiliates, visitors, authorized guests, scientists emeriti, retired guests and subcontractors who access nonpublic areas of the Illinois or South Dakota Fermilab sites are impacted. All visitors 18 and older, including those on foot or on bicycle as well as all adult passengers in vehicles, will be asked to show a REAL ID-compliant identification document. This includes individuals visiting public areas, including Lederman Science Center, the site’s walking/bicycling paths, portions of Building 327, the lobby area of Aspen East and specific portions of Wilson Hall (atrium, 2nd floor crossover, portions of the ground floor, and Ramsey Auditorium).

A valid passport is a REAL ID-compliant identification document. If you do not have a valid passport, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for more information on REAL ID-compliant identification. You can also obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state ID card. You will need to go in person to present documentation to verify who you are and where you live to obtain a REAL ID-compliant identification document. Visit your state driver’s license agency website. Learn more about Illinois state requirements for obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license.

Several states are compliant with the REAL ID Act. Check for the star on the upper portion of your license or state ID card. Generally, a star indicates the license qualifies as REAL ID-compliant identification. You can also visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website for more information. Note that a valid passport is a REAL ID-compliant identification document.

Any person at Fermilab requesting use of space by non-badged people must complete an event approval form. If space is needed that is not designated as a public area, the approval process will initiate a process with the Foreign National Access Program office and Fermilab Security to ensure that the space is correctly designated as public for a specified amount of time according to the Fermilab Site Security Plan. It is strongly encouraged that rooms be reserved in public areas for events that include non-badged individuals.

Fermilab employees and subcontractors working at the LBNF Far Site location in South Dakota must follow the same requirements as employees and subcontractors in Illinois. Fermilab employees are currently compliant with REAL ID and their Fermilab badges authorize them access to the DOE-leased spaces. LBNF subcontractors must present REAL ID-compliant identification documents at the time of badging. DOE-leased space is only occupied by Fermilab-badged employees or subcontractors.

Effective May 3, 2023, all commercial air travel originating from or terminating in the United States require passengers to present REAL-ID-compliant identification. A Fermilab badge does not satisfy the REAL ID Act requirement for purposes of commercial air travel. Visit the Fermilab travel site for more information (must be on the Fermilab network). Learn about flying with REAL ID-compliant identification at tsa.gov/real-id and https://realid.ilsos.gov/. Individuals who are unable to verify their identity will not be permitted to enter Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport checkpoints and will not be allowed to fly.

Yes, such travelers will still need a REAL ID-compliant identification document. 

Beginning May 3, 2023, every domestic or international commercial air traveler arriving to or departing from the United States must present REAL ID-compliant identification. Individuals who are not able to present REAL ID-compliant identification will not be permitted to enter TSA airport checkpoints and will not be permitted to fly.

Currently, TSA does not accept mobile or electronic driver’s licenses. 

If you were hired at Fermilab prior to January 1, 1987, you will need to have a REAL ID-compliant identification document validated by Fermilab.

If you were hired after January 1, 1987, you should have REAL ID-compliant information on file, which is used as REAL ID-compliant verification by Fermilab. If information is missing, you will be contacted by WDRS. Otherwise, no action is needed regarding badging.

You are required to wear/display your Fermilab badge while on site for identification and authorization purposes. For more information about badges, visit the badges page.

This could be relevant for a user or an affiliate who won’t visit Fermilab in time to provide REAL ID-compliant identification document to renew their badge but would still need to use computing facilities.

The user or affiliate will continue to have remote access. The lab requires REAL ID-compliant identification document only if the user needs to be on site.

To obtain a Fermilab badge, follow the instructions listed on the badges page.

If you are required to show REAL ID-compliant identification document as part of the Fermilab badging process, you will be notified directly with specific instructions.

No, you must present original documentation for REAL ID-compliant identification document. 

You do not need to do anything else at this point; additional documentation may not be required. Your profile will be reviewed, and you will be notified directly if further documentation is required.