Looking at the list of required primary and secondary identification needed for the REAL ID, the Office of Motor Vehicles lists an unexpired U.S. passport as primary ID.

Would an unexpired U.S. passport card (used for cruises) be considered acceptable for primary identification purposes?

Yes.

State residents looking to get a Louisiana driver’s license that complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 must prove their identity; show evidence that they’re in the country legally; disclose their date of birth; provide their Social Security number; and present two documents that bear the address of their principal residence.

The state accepts the following as being proof of identity and lawful status, as listed in the Office of Motor Vehicles’ policy manual:

A valid, unexpired United States passport or passport card.

Original birth certificate or certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a state of the United States. “State” includes the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. However, birth certificates from Puerto Rico must be certified as being issued on or after July 1, 2010.

Consular report of birth abroad issued by the United States Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545.

Certificate of naturalization issued by the Department of Homeland Security, Form N-550 or N-570.

Certificate of citizenship, Form N-560 or N-561, issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

“A birth certificate issued from a state within the United States would contain applicant’s name, date of birth and prove lawful status,” reads the OMV’s policy. “This would cover the first three requirements for Real ID.”

The two documents proving residency must include the applicant’s name and street address, and they must be from separate sources. Among the documents accepted:

• Utility bills — electricity, gas, cellphone.
• Financial statements from a bank or credit union.
• Unexpired Louisiana driver’s license.
• Paycheck or paycheck stub from work.
• W-2 form.
• Military orders.
• Louisiana or federal income tax return or refund check.
• Voter registration card.
• Car insurance policy with the applicant’s name and address.
• Current rental agreement.
• Receipts for payment of rent.

For more information, visit www.expresslane.org.

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.