ORLANDO, Fla. – People who move to Florida from another state or already live here but don't have proper ID, are discovering proof of identity goes beyond their word.
Since 2010 Florida has required applicants to produce their original or certified birth certificate, social security card and proof of residency as required under the Real ID act.
That law was effective nationwide back on May 11, 2008 in response to the 9-11 attack against the United States.
But for many homeless in Florida and across the country, those documents may have been lost making proof of identity difficult.
Mike Dippy, CEO of IDIGNITY, has organized monthly events in Central Florida to help the homeless track down documents needed to secure a Real ID with the help of volunteer attorneys, judges and law students.
"We really want to help those most in need, those who will need legal or significant assistance in order to overcome the barriers to get an identification," Dippy said.
Florida began issuing REAL ID compliant credentials after January 1, 2010. The new card and license include a single gold star in the upper right corner.
Last week 221 people visited IDIGNITY's event at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.
According to Dippy, 109 people walked away with an ID or drivers license, 42 secured Florida birth certificates, 62 secured out of state birth certificates.
"The whole idea is to help these people jump through this hoop, so they can get their ID," Dippy said. "If you were born in the state of Florida we can probably get you an ID today."
Residents with a current Florida license or ID card will be able to continue to use the cards as identification for federal purposes until December 1, 2014 for individuals born after December 1, 1964. For everyone else the cut-off is December 1, 2017.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle web site, "after the 2014 and 2017 dates, federal agencies will no longer accept a driver license or ID card unless it is Real ID compliant. This means you will not be allowed to board commercial flights or enter federal facilities unless you have a REAL ID compliant document."
For more information go to: http://www.flhsmv.gov/realid/index.html
