MONTGOMERY — Visitors planning to access Maxwell Air Force Base or Gunter Annex should be aware of a new requirement that began on May 7, 2025: A REAL ID-compliant credential is required for entry.
The change, mandated by the REAL ID Act of 2005, affects all individuals seeking visitor passes.
Similar requirements exist at all other military and federal government facilities requiring approval for visitor access.
Federal installations will no longer accept non-marked state-issued identification cards. As mandated by the Department of Homeland Security, 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.
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 by the Department of Defense.
For 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 [email protected] or visit Maxwell’s Base Access Information webpage.
Photo credit: U.S. Air force Airman 1st Class Tatiana Garcia, assigned to the 42nd Security Force Squadron, directs traffic at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, April 7, 2024. Tatiana was directing traffic on base during the Beyond the Horizon Air and Space Show, an event open to the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Evan Porter)
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