REAL ID

PLEASE NOTE: New changes to the REAL ID Act will go into effect on 1 October. We will post the information as soon as it is available. Please check back for updates.

According to information published by the Department of Homeland Security on 30 January 2017, the State of New Mexico is now compliant with the Real ID Act. As a result, a New Mexico driver’s license will be accepted as a form of identification to enter White Sands Missile Range, subject to normal background check procedures.
Real ID restrictions still apply to the following states: Minnesota, Missouri, Washington, Montana, and Maine.
The following forms of identification meet minimum REAL ID Act standards for DOD installation access, but must be current. This list is not, nor is it intended to be all inclusive:
  • DOD-issued Common Access Card (CAC) – Military Identification Card- Active duty, Retired, Reserve, National Guard or dependent
  • U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
  • Federal Identification Cards (PIV-Personal Identification Verification)
  • Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) – United States Passport or United States Passport Card Veterans Health Identification Card, with photo, issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Permanent Resident Card/Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551) – Foreign passport with a temporary (I-551) stamp or temporary (I-551) printed notation on a machine readable immigrant visa – An employment authorization document that contains a photograph (Form I-766) – Current/valid driver’s license (must contain photo, name, DOB, gender, height, eye color and address) – must be from a Real ID Act compliant state – ID card issued by Federal, State, and Local Government Agencies (must contain photo, name, DOB, gender, height, eye color & address) – U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Legacy Cards – U.S. Coast Guard New Merchant Mariner Credential
  • Native American Tribal Document

If an adult visitor requesting access to WSMR does not have REAL ID Act compliant form of identification, they must provide supplemental identity proofing documents. The best supplemental proofing documents include the following:

  • U.S. Military or draft record (DD Form 214)
  • Birth Certificate or document with a person’s full name and date of birth – U.S. Social Security card
  • Certification of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State (Forms FS-545 or DS-1350) – U.S. Citizen ID Card (Form I-197) – ID card for use of Resident Citizen in the United States (Form I-179)
  • University, College, school, or library card containing a photograph, name and expiration date