A new form of identification, which was tried last fall in Chilton and two other counties, is now available statewide.

The pilot program of STAR ID, which stands for Secure, Trusted And Reliable, was launched in Chilton, Autauga and Montgomery counties on Oct. 1, 2011.

The Alabama Department of Public Safety developed the new identification after Congress passed the REAL-ID Act of 2005 in response to terrorism threats. The IDs are now available at each of Alabama’s Public Safety Driver License examining offices.

Under the program, all current Alabama driver licenses and non-driver ID cards will be accepted for official federal purposes until Dec. 1, 2014. Starting Dec. 1, individuals born after Dec. 1, 1964 will be required to have a REAL-ID-compliant document to board a domestic flight or to gain access to certain federal facilities that require identification. A valid U.S. passport may be used in place of REAL-ID-compliant identification.

Starting on Dec. 1, 2017, individuals born on or before Dec. 1, 1964, will be required to have a REAL-ID-compliant document or valid U.S. passport.

According to the press release, REAL-ID-compliant identification is considered “secure.” To obtain such identification, individuals must present additional original documents specified by the REAL-ID Act of 2005 to verify identity and date of birth, authorized presence in the U.S. and address of principal residence.

STAR I.D. will issue Alabama driver license and non-driver ID renewals only at driver license examining offices, not at probate or license commissioners’ offices.

For more information, go to Dps.alabama.gov or call (877) 567-1045.