REAL ID Benefits

As a result of REAL ID, the nation will have in place more reliable safeguards against terrorism and identity theft while still maintaining individual privacy. Specific benefits include:

• Helps cut down on identity fraud by establishing layers of security to ensure that identity documents only go to the people they actually belong to
  
  
• Requires electronic verification of data on identity documents, which makes it more difficult to create a fictitious identity using false documents
  
  
• Makes it easier for law enforcement officials to detect documents that have been falsified
  
  
• Establishes safeguards for storing personal information that all DMVs issuing REAL ID compliant identity documents must follow
  
  
• Ensures that states and territories retain their function as issuing authorities
  
  
• Makes it more difficult to tamper with or counterfeit driver’s licenses
  
  
• Distinguishes licenses issued using secure standards from those issued according to lesser standards
  
  
• Helps law enforcement officials identify individuals with limited durations of stay in the United States