Attention flyers and federal facility visitors in Arizona: Come May 7, a new form of identification will be mandatory for you to continue your travels and access without fuss. Termed the Arizona Travel ID, which doubles as the Real ID, it comes adorned with a distinctive gold star on the top right corner; if your current ID is devoid of this star, it's time for an upgrade. To ease into this transition, the state has set up a simple process for residents to secure their new IDs.
You can start by booking an appointment at a local Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) or an authorized third-party office, then you need to come with the right documents to confirm your identity, age, and residency, and be prepared to fork over $25 for the new Travel ID, as outlined in a recent post on the Director's Blog of the Arizona Department of Health Services. However, some might hit a snag if a birth certificate is needed; Arizonans can request a copy via the ADHS Office of Vital Records, while those born in different states must reach out to their own state's vital records for acquisition.
Securing an Arizona-certified birth certificate has its own steps, which include an online application or an in-person visit to the ADHS vital records office, a showing of valid photo ID or a notarized application, and also a fee that varies depending on the service; additionally, people under the age of 18 need to prove they're either married or legally independent. For more specific instructions and online forms, one should visit the ADHS Vital Records webpage.
