MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Visitors planning to access Maxwell Air Force Base or Gunter Annex should be aware of a new requirement: beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant credential is required for entry. The change, mandated by the REAL ID Act of 2005 and DODM5200.08v3, affects all individuals seeking visitor passes.
Federal installations will no longer accept non-marked state-issued identification cards after May 6, 2025. As mandated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), state-issued licenses and identification cards must include a REAL ID-compliant marking–star markings, “Enhanced” verbiage, etc.—indicating adherence to federal standards.
REAL ID-compliant cards will have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have a star marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft or access military installations like Maxwell Air Force Base or Gunter Annex.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont are also acceptable for federal purposes. Although most EDLs do not contain the REAL ID star marking, they meet DHS criteria for access.
To obtain a REAL ID, individuals must visit their state’s driver licensing agency website for documentation requirements. At a minimum, applicants must provide proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address and lawful status. States may impose additional requirements.
Minors under 18 years of age are not required to present REAL ID-compliant credentials for travel or base access, but their accompanying adult must be compliant.
Common REAL ID-compliant credentials also include U.S. passports, permanent resident cards and other identification approved under DODM5200.08v3.
Current Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) badges are not impacted by this change. However, new or replacement DBIDS badges will only be issued upon presentation of REAL ID-compliant credentials.
When screening visitors for DBIDS Contractor Badges and EAL sponsorship visitation requests, it is the direct responsibility of the DoD-affiliated sponsor to verify that the personnel they are requesting badging or visitation for are REAL ID compliant.
For DBIDS contractors, Visitor Control Center badging personnel will confirm contractors’ REAL ID compliance when they come to receive their DBIDS badge. Security Forces personnel will verify visitors’ driver’s licenses and identification cards to ensure REAL ID compliance is met. Non-compliance will result in immediate denial to the installation until REAL ID compliance is met.
Security Forces entry controllers will verify REAL ID compliance of visitors when verifying their credentials with Entry Authorization Lists. Non-compliance will result in immediate denial to the installation until REAL ID compliance is met.
Questions? Contact the Visitor Control Center at 1-(334)-953-4283 or 42sfs.vcc.max@us.af.mil or visit Maxwell's Base Access Information webpage.