WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Friday announced grants totaling nearly $80 million to assist states in improving the security of state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs.
The grants will fund state-specific projects like improving the physical security of licenses, upgrading facility security and modernizing document imaging and storage. Funding will also be provided for the development and testing of a verification hub that will enable states to query federal and non-federal document-issuing authorities and verify applicant source documents.
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Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said this makes it more affordable for states to implement Real ID by “dramatically cutting costs and providing various and considerable funding options, and we’re requesting additional funding next year.”
DHS said the Real ID program addresses a key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission to enhance the security, integrity and protection of licensing and identification systems across the country. More than $58 million has previously been allocated for state-specific implementation projects that facilitate Real ID compliance.
Each of the 48 states and territories that applied for Real ID grants will be awarded a portion of the available funding.
The department has also pledged to fund in this grant cycle the implementation of a verification hub to be built and governed by the states. The hub will act as a central router to provide timely, accurate and cost-effective verification to motor vehicle departments of an applicant’s source documents. States will be able to verify the identity, lawful status and social security number of an applicant through this common interface.
The department awarded $17 million to Missouri to lead the development of the verification hub. Four other states — Florida, Indiana, Nevada and Wisconsin — will each receive $1.2 million to partner with Missouri for verification hub testing and implementation. Other states and territories will eventually connect to the hub and have the capability to verify applicants’ source documents.
