CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today received a letter from U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Stewart Baker stating the federal government has agreed to postpone imposing Real ID requirements on New Hampshire citizens.

Gov. Lynch sent a letter to Homeland Security officials last month requesting that the Department not impose Real ID requirements on the citizens of New Hampshire.

“I am pleased that the federal government has recognized that the citizens of New Hampshire should not be singled out, and that it will not impose Real ID requirements here beginning in May,” Gov. Lynch said. “We have a law that prohibits New Hampshire from taking part in this burdensome system. New Hampshire, along with many other states has raised legitimate questions about the costs and privacy issues associated with Real ID. Congress must listen to the very real concerns of states and citizens, and re-think the entire Real ID program.”

Last year, Gov. Lynch signed legislation prohibiting New Hampshire from participating in the federal Real ID system. The House approved the legislation 268-9, and the Senate unanimously supported it.

Nearly every state, including New Hampshire, has been exempted from the Real ID requirements until December 31, 2009.

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