The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced on December 1st that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of REAL/STAR ID the option to pay a $45 fee to use an alternative identity verification system to establish identity at airport security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. 

REAL/STAR IDs are issued originally to qualified individuals ONLY at Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License exam offices (Pelham, Columbiana & 280 in Shelby County). All County operated license offices will continue to provide renewals/duplicates for license, ID cards, and STAR ID.

STAR – which stands for Secure, Trusted, Reliable – is part of the Real ID Act, which modifies federal laws dealing with security, authentication and issuance procedure standards for state driver licenses and identification cards.

Applicants must present four documents to verify identity/date of birth, Social Security number and address of principal residence.  Among the accepted documents are a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization. Other documents will be needed to verify Social Security number and address. You can see a complete list of accepted documents here.

Book an appointment with ALEA at: https://alabamadl.alea.gov/_/

More info on STAR ID can be found here.