Why you need a gold star on your ID.* Learn about the REAL ID Act.

Get the gold before May 7, 2025!

*States have adopted various versions of a star to signify that a state-issued ID is REAL ID-compliant. Florida has adopted a gold star. 

What does the gold star on your ID mean? 

The gold star on Florida state-issued identification cards (IDs) means they are REAL ID-compliant. 

Some states, like Florida, only provide REAL ID-compliant IDs.

A REAL ID-compliant ID card is proof that you have provided the required documentation to prove your identity established by the REAL ID Act, in 2005.

These will be the only accepted state ID cards to access certain federal facilities or board most flights, beginning May 7, 2025.

How do I know if I have a REAL ID-compliant ID? 

You likely know if you have been issued a REAL ID-compliant ID if you have provided the required documentation to a Florida DMV office:

  • Proof of Lawful Status – US birth certificate, US passport, or valid immigration document
  • Proof of Social Security Number – social security card, W-2, 1099, or self-certification provided by the DMV
  • Two Proofs of Address – bill, lease, mail, etc. that are under 30 days old
  • Proof of name change, if applicable

Back to the gold star

In Florida, REAL ID-compliant IDs have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of the card.   

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/real-id/

If your ID does not have a gold star, you are not REAL ID-compliant. The REAL ID Act will be enforced in every state starting on May 7, 2025. This means that if you plan on flying on or after May 7, 2025, you must have a valid REAL ID-compliant ID card or passport to pass through security (TSA). 

You must present the required documentation in-person to obtain a gold star for the first time.  The typical cost for a driver’s license is about $48, and a Florida ID is $25. Additional service charges or fees may be applied. 

Why the REAL ID Act?

The REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed by Congress in order to enhance US security and reduce terrorism and identify fraud by setting standards for obtaining proof of identity documentation. Each state enforces the Act differently. If you obtained a star in one state and relocated to a different state, you must present your identification documents again. If you do not have the documents needed to become REAL ID-compliant, you cannot get an ID in Florida.

IDignity can help you get a REAL ID-compliant Florida ID 

IDignity helps Florida US citizens and legal residents obtain REAL ID-compliant ID cards. We do not charge for our services. If you do not have all the required documents to get a gold star, like your birth certificate or social security card, we can try to help you obtain them. To learn more about our Identification Service Days or to make an appointment, call us at 407-792-1374, or fill out a Service Request Form.

References 

Bridges, C. A. (2024, January, 24). When do Real ID driver’s licenses go into effect? What you’ll need in Florida for air travel. The Daytona Beach News-Journal. https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/state/2024/01/24/real-id-compliant-florida-drivers-licenses-ids-required-air-travel/72335336007/  

IDignity staff, personal communication, February 23, 2024.   

Lee County Tax Collector Noelle Branning. (n.d.). Document Requirements. Lee County Tax Collector Noelle Branning  https://leetc.com/drivers-licenses/document-requirements/   

Shelton, N. (2023, January, 30). Get Ready for REAL ID and Other Orlando Travel Requirements. Visit Orlando. https://www.visitorlando.com/blog/post/orlando-travel-requirements/   

Transportation Security Administration (TSA). (n.d.)/ Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint. TSA.gov. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

Humberto’s Story

Humberto moved from Los Angels to Orlando to be closer to his 9-year-old daughter and ended up experiencing homelessness for two years. Now, Humberto resides at Pathways to Care after obtaining serious burns from a fire pit, one that nearly took his life if not for the help of a friend. Humberto came to IDignity for his Social Security card and birth certificate. He needs these documents to reach his end goal: securing a job. Humberto wants to give, explaining that he wishes to pull people out of the dark just as he was pulled out. When asked what it feels like being without his documents to now obtaining them he stated, “I feel like I’m living now, not existing. I’m living and I’m very grateful for everything I got.” 

Kiara’s Six Year Adventure

Kiara’s older sibling used to tell her she was adopted. A stranger at the DMV told her the same thing. It turns out, they were both wrong. When Kiara Fraizer was young, her older sister tried to convince her she was ‘born on a ship in a pile of doo-doo.’  Kiara wrote it off as annoying and typical sibling behavior and never thought it would come back to haunt her – until she went to obtain her Florida gold star ID. Born and raised in Ohio, Kiara never had any issues getting her ID, but when she showed the clerk her documents to obtain her Florida REAL ID it was clear something was wrong. Kiara’s last names on her Social Security card and birth certificate were different. One document had her father’s last name and the other had her mother’s last name. Confused and bewildered, Kiara could only stare at the two documents while the clerk attempted to explain why this could be happening.

“This [discrepancy] usually happens when you get an amended birth certificate, so you’re adopted,” the clerk told her.  Suddenly, she could hear her sister’s words taunting her, “You were born on a ship in a pile of doo-doo, and you were adopted!” But still, Kiara knew this was not true.

In fact, the reasoning for her mismatched documents was much simpler. Her parents had an argument and her dad’s name ended up being omitted from her birth certificate. Thus, the last name on her birth certificate was listed as her mother’s. However, when Kiara got her Social Security card, her last name was listed as her father’s. So there was no record of how her name went from Harris to Fraizer. Now, years later as a single mom with two kids, Kiara needed her gold star Florida ID since she is no longer a resident of Ohio. “I went [to apply] for rental assistance and I got denied because I didn’t have a Florida ID [my Ohio ID wouldn’t work]. Everything else went through but I didn’t have that ID.”

Proving Kiara Fraizer and Kiara Harris were one and the same became a struggle. Five years passed as Kiara searched for a way to fix her mismatched last names. Kiara spoke to her mom, who recommended IDignity where her mom had previously received her ID.

Kiara worked with the two lawyers on staff, Kelly and Sharlene (pictured above), for a few months. “The process just started immediately, no fees, no anything. They knew exactly what to do from day one. This was a big, big milestone because it was a hindrance in my life.”

After going in front of a judge to get her name change approved, Kiara was able to amend her birth certificate to list her last name as Fraizer. Now, Kiara is able to get her gold star Florida ID, be REAL ID compliant, and get her kids into school without any issues.

“They [school officials] want to see your birth certificate to prove you are their parent. I had to tell them the whole story. It looked like I was two people because I had two last names; my kids were Fraizer and I was Harris.”

Finally, after nearly six years, Kiara’s last name matched her identification documents. “[I] feel complete. Having Fraizer on my birth certificate makes me complete and whole with my dad and my family. I’m telling you, IDignity has completed my family. I can call my dad and tell him I will have Fraizer on my birth certificate now!”

In addition, Kiara can now tell her sister that she was NOT born on a ship in a pile of doo-doo!

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Video production by Whitney Media Productions.

IDignity’s mission is essential to the health of our society, and it takes the resources of many. Won’t you please join us?