City and County of Honolulu HI : 01/18/18 City clarifies that Real ID ‘gold star’ not needed until October 2020

Thursday, January 18, 2018
Harold Nedd: [phone]

City clarifies that Real ID 'gold star' not needed until October 2020

Honolulu - The Department of Customer Services wishes to clarify for O'ahu residents that the new federal-compliant 'Real ID' marked with a gold star is not needed until October 2020.

All Hawai'i-issued driver's licenses and ID cards - with or without a gold star in the upper right-hand corner - are fully compliant with federal standards.

To get ahead of the new 'Real ID' mandates, all counties in Hawai'i began offering the gold star option on newly issued and renewed driver's licenses and ID cards on January 16, 2018. At the same time, the state Department of Transportation is seeking an extension of the October 2020 gold star deadline for Hawai'i.

There is no rush for O'ahu residents to obtain a driver's license or ID card marked with a star in a gold circle. There also is no change to the renewal or duplicate fees.

Residents, however, will have to choose between holding a federal-compliant driver's license or state ID. They will not be issued both. ID cards already issued will remain valid through their expiration dates.

A federal compliant REAL ID driver license or ID card is optional. Meaning, a valid U.S. passport, or military ID can also be used for federal purposes such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal facility. Driver's licenses or ID cards with a gold star will be one of the acceptable credentials needed beginning October 1, 2020.

First-time applicants or those renewing expiring Hawai'i licenses or IDs must use the new application form to select the card that will bear the star. The star will appear on the temporary paper card received on-site, and on the permanent plastic card mailed to the address on file.

Since 2013, the following documents have been required to obtain a driver's license or state ID:

• Proof of identity: Examples include a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card or foreign passport with an approved form I-94.
• Proof of social security number: Examples include a Social Security card, W-2, or paystub with full social security number.
• Hawai'i residency document: a rental agreement, mortgage bill, utility bill, bank statement, medical invoice, employment or school document.
• Name change document: This may be required if your identity document is different from the name on your application. For example, a marriage certificate, adoption papers, name change or other court document.

Visit license.honolulu.gov to use the city's interactive document guide, make an appointment at Kapālama Hale, access an application form, view the service line cameras, or locate service centers across the island.

For more information, contact Harold Nedd at [phone].

-PAU-