A new act called REAL ID, which intends to strengthen homeland security, is requiring certain U.S. states and a territory to offer their residents another form of identification when flying domestically.

Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, Louisiana and American Samoa residents will be affected by the REAL ID Act, which totals to more than 31 million Americans, reports Forbes.

Resident of the five four states and one territory are not required to show proof of citizenship or residency to obtain a driver's license. Their identification is noncompliant with the act's specifications. The act was enacted in 2005 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but the rules were scheduled to take effect "no sooner than 2016," according to Forbes. If you live in one of the five jurisdictions, you need to start considering your options.

Alternative IDs that are acceptable include military or governmental identification, a passport, a passport card, an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or NEXUS or Global Entry traveler cards. If you have none of these and live in New York or Minnesota, your best option may be the EDL, which costs $30.

The process of acquiring an EDL requires a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles where you complete forms and pay. There is an additional benefit; the EDL allows you to travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda without a passport.

If you live in the other three jurisdictions, your most budget-friendly option is a passport card. It costs $55. It can be used instead of a passport if traveling to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. A passport isn't needed to apply for a passport card.

DHS trusted traveler cards are another option that allow for faster security and customs clearance, but they are expensive. They cost between $85 and $122.25. The cost depends on the type of card you select. Since applicants must be approved, obtaining a traveler cards is not guaranteed.

Lastly, you can apply for a passport, which costs $135. It can take six weeks to receive a passport. Expediting the process will cost you an additional $60 or more.

Residents will have plenty of time to prepare before their identifications need to be upgraded, according to authorities.

"We have submitted a request for an extension to the REAL ID Act and our discussions with the Department of Homeland Security have been very productive," a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson told Forbes. "We have no reason to believe that any New Yorker will have a problem using their current state-issued ID card to get on a plane come January 2016."