The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last week issued grant guidance and application kits to help states prepare for the implementation of REAL ID compliant drivers’ licenses beginning May 11.

Individual states or states acting in groups will be able to apply for $31.3 million in demonstration grants, which are aimed at checking motor vehicle records in other states to ensure that drivers do not hold multiple licenses, and for verification against federal records like immigration status.

“These funds will advance the ability of states to verify the legitimacy of documents that applicants present, and to confirm that the applicants are who they say they are,” Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a statement.

From May 11, 2008 forward, citizens of states that are not REAL ID-compliant may not use their state-issued drivers license or ID to pass through security at airports. Compliant states are those that have either obtained an extension of the compliance date from DHS or have been determined by DHS to be in compliance. REAL ID requirements are expected to be released early next year.

DHS also issued a grant notice valued at $4 million intended for the State of Kentucky for additional work on a pilot program being done to help verify birth certificates and other vital records. The funding is in addition to $3 million awarded to Kentucky in FY ’06 that tested software to improve identity verification capabilities.