News From Our Partners: Real ID Act and NextGen ID Card 

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses."  The latest information indicates the Department of Homeland Security will start Real ID Act enforcement on 7 May 2025.  This will affect what forms of ID/documentation people can use to access certain federal facilities, board domestic commercial flights or individuals visiting military installations.
 
Even after the Real ID Act is in effect, there is no change for military base access for individuals (military retirees/dependents/surviving spouses) who already possess military, or DoD issued credentials; non-DoD personnel without base access credentials will be the largest demographic affected by REAL ID requirements.  If you don’t have the NextGen ID card, but an “old style” ID card (DD Form 2, DD Form 1173, DD Form 1173-1 or DD Form 2765(blue, pink or tan ID)) you will still be able to access a base for now! 
 
It's important for military retirees/dependents/surviving spouses to know, at some time in the future, these old forms of ID will not be valid to access a military installation, and you will need issuance of the NextGen ID card. This will be true even if your old ID card has an INDEF expiration date on it - the ID will still be invalid. DoD has not specified a date when this will happen, and we have no idea how much advance warning you will get before you must have the NextGen ID card. Social media and word of mouth, however, you receive information, we are hearing the deadline may be on 1 Jan 2026.  We understand DoD will formally announce.
 
Based on this, we strongly encourage everyone with an old-style ID card to get a NextGen ID card now!

There are several ways to make an appointment to get a new ID card. (1). You can visit the RAPIDS ID Card Office Locator website to find the closest office and either call them to make an appointment or (2). schedule your own appointment using the website. https://idco.dmdc.osd.mil/idco/  To make an appointment using this site select the “ID Card Office Locator & Appointments” block.  (3). You may be able to renew your ID card online and have it mailed to you, no waiting in line!  You select the “Family ID Cards” block on the website at the link above.  Below are the requirements to renew a card online:
 
• Sponsor must be a CAC holder or have a DoD Self-Service Logon username/password
• Must be requesting a renewal of an active USID card
• Sponsor and Cardholder must have email addresses listed in DEERS that they have authorized DoD to use for contacting them
• Sponsor’s personnel status must extend at least 30 days into the future
• Cardholder has a photo saved in DEERS taken in the last 12 years
• Cardholder’s mailing address is present in DEERS and is in United States or Overseas.
• USID cards cannot be shipped to PO Boxes
 
 If you have an old-style ID card, you can get the new NextGen ID at any time - do it now!

Note: The information on this website is provided to explain typical situations regarding retiree and annuitant benefits. For details and exceptions, please see applicable laws, financial management regulations, and instructions.
 

Page Updated Mar 26 2025