April 27, 2021 update: Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the REAL ID full enforcement date by 19 months, from October 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023, due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has significantly impacted states’ ability to issue REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards, with many driver’s licensing agencies still operating at limited capacity. DHS will publish an interim final rule in the coming days to effectuate this enforcement date change. Show
The story below has been revised accordingly since its original publication in January 2019. Do you need a REAL ID?Beginning May 3, 2023, passengers who want to continue to use their driver license or ID card to board a domestic flight will need to show a federal compliant REAL ID driver license or ID card with a special marking. To get one of these cards, a person must apply at a California Department of Motor Vehicles office and provide federally mandated documentation. The REAL ID card is optional. A person can use other federal compliant identification, such as a valid U.S. passport, to pass through airport security, as well as enter secure federal buildings and military facilities. States across the country are offering driver license and identification cards with the REAL ID marking because the 9/11 Commission recommended in 2005 the federal government set uniform standards for state-issued identification cards. The Department of Homeland Security will enforce these new standards on May 3, 2023. Up until that time, all valid California driver licenses and identification cards will be accepted at airport checkpoints for domestic air travel. Applying for a REAL IDAnyone interested in applying for a driver license/ID card with the REAL ID mark is required to visit a DMV field office in person and present specific documentation:
A full list of accepted documents and an interactive checklist are available at REALID.dmv.ca.gov. Original or certified copies are required for proof of identity and Social Security (no photocopies or pictures). You can bring in a copy for your proof of California address, but the DMV won’t accept electronic files. The best time to apply for your REAL ID is when your driver license is up for renewal. The DMV encourages you to apply within 60 days of your expiration date and to make an appointment up to 90 days in advance. Make sure to fill out your application in advance online at eDLapp.dmv.ca.gov. If your driver license or ID card comes up for renewal after May 3, 2023, you may want to consider applying for a card with the REAL ID mark before that federal enforcement date. Remember that if you have a valid passport or other federally approved document, you can use that as well. If you renew your license online or by mail, or if you do not provide all the required documents when you renew in person, you will receive a federal non-compliant license with the phrase “Federal Limits Apply.” Federal non-compliant cards will not be accepted as identification at airport checkpoints starting May 3, 2023. A REAL ID issued in California will display a grizzly bear and star in the upper right corner. A federal non-compliant card will have “Federal Limits Apply” in that area. Either card still allows you to drive, apply for or receive federal benefits, enter federal facilities like post offices, visit hospitals and receive life-saving services. Get all the facts about REAL ID at REALID.dmv.ca.gov. comments powered by Quick Links to Top Questions Minnesotans are asking:
What is REAL ID?Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards. The Act refers to federal anti-terrorism laws and regulations that control access to the following:
The Act prohibits federal agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from accepting driver's licenses and ID cards for official purposes from states that do not meet minimum security standards. Federal enforcement of REAL ID begins on May 3,
2023. Do I need a REAL ID to travel on domestic flights?Minnesotans can use their standard driver's license or identification cards for federal purposes until May 3, 2023. Beginning May 3, 2023, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card or another federally approved form of identification will be required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal facility. These include:
Visit the
TSA's website for a complete list of acceptable documents. Minnesota began issuing REAL ID-compliant licenses on Oct. 1, 2018. Will minors need to have a REAL ID to fly domestically?The TSA does not
require children under age 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification. Do I need a REAL ID to visit a federal facility?When planning a visit to a federal facility, visitors should contact the facility to determine what identification will be accepted. Do I need to get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card?No. A REAL ID-compliant card is optional and is not needed for the following:
How do I decide if I should apply for a REAL ID?Determining which type of license or ID card works best depends on what a person needs to use the card for. If a driver's license is needed for federal use, such as boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities or entering nuclear power plants, a REAL ID-compliant card or enhanced driver's license or enhanced ID card would be required. Someone who needs a driver's license only for identification purposes and lawful driving privileges does not need a REAL ID or enhanced driver's license or ID card. Review the information on the license/ID options page for more direction. Do I need to submit my REAL ID application by May 3, 2023?May 3, 2023, is the federal full enforcement deadline, meaning you will need a REAL ID, enhanced driver's license or ID card, passport or passport card, or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities. Minnesotans can apply for their REAL ID now or after May 3, 2023. If you don't need a REAL ID right away, you do not need to apply for one by May 3, 2023. For example, if your license doesn't expire until 2024, and you plan to use your passport as your federally-approved form of identification starting May 3, 2023, you may choose to wait to apply for a REAL ID when your license expires. If you have travel plans after May 3, 2023, and do not have a passport or another acceptable form of identification, you should apply for your REAL ID or enhanced driver's license now. What's the difference between a REAL ID, standard driver’s license and enhanced driver’s license? Use a standard driver's license or ID card to:
Use a REAL ID driver's license or ID card to:
Use an enhanced driver's license or ID card to:
What if I already have a Minnesota enhanced driver's license or ID card (EDL/EID)?Minnesotans who already have an EDL or EID can continue to use it to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities even after May 3, 2023. EDLs and EIDs are federally-approved border crossing documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Minnesota residents are able to apply for an EDL or EID now.
For more information visit the EDL/EID web page. Are the requirements the same for a REAL ID and an enhanced ID?The requirements are not the same. Enhanced driver's licenses and identification cards are:
An enhanced driver's license or identification card is REAL ID compliant and offers the additional benefit of travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada and some Caribbean countries. If I want to apply for a REAL ID or enhanced driver's license but do not have the correct documents, can I simply apply for a standard driver's license?Yes. If you are at your local office and decide you want to apply for a standard driver's license instead of a REAL ID or enhanced driver's license, you may do so. If you already submitted an application for a REAL ID or enhanced driver's license, receive a letter in the mail stating more documentation is required and wish to change your application to a standard driver's license, you must return to your local office to apply for a standard driver's license. You will receive a refund for your previous application, with the exception of the filing fee and will pay the standard driver's license fees. Can I apply for a Minnesota REAL ID by mail while out of state?No. All REAL ID applications must be submitted, along with required documents, in person at a local DVS exam station, deputy registrar office or driver's license agent office. Do I have to renew my driver's license or ID card early to get a REAL ID?A REAL ID-compliant card is optional, so there's no need to renew early unless you choose to. My new driver’s license arrived and it says it’s not for federal identification. What does that mean?A standard Minnesota driver’s license or identification card is marked "not for Federal Identification. The standard driver's license you received is authentic and will continue to be acceptable for driving privileges, but it is not REAL ID-compliant and will not be acceptable for federal purposes such as boarding domestic flights after May 3, 2023. A REAL ID is marked with a gold star. An enhanced driver's license or ID card is marked with “Enhanced Driver's License" or Enhanced Identification Card" and cards issued after Jan. 1, 2021, also have a gold star on them. At which locations can I apply for a REAL ID?REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards became available at most driver’s license office locations Oct. 1, 2018. Use the Find Office Locations search for a listing of offices near you. What are the requirements to obtain a REAL ID?Applying for a REAL ID requires additional documentation mandated by federal law. You will need to provide:
Complete List of Documents Required If I already have a REAL ID, and move, do I need to re-apply for a new REAL ID and pay another fee since my address has changed?If you have a REAL ID and move to a new Minnesota address, you will need to reapply for a duplicate REAL ID and:
If your name has changed as well, you will need to provide additional identity documents that show the change of name. . If I apply for a REAL ID, is my personal information being entered into a national database?No. The information you give to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) is held securely and not shared or entered into a national database. Will any additional information be stored on the magnetic strip of a REAL ID compared to a standard driver's license?No. The information stored on the magnetic strip of a standard and REAL ID is the same. It is the data shown on the front of the card. I submitted an application before Oct. 1, 2018. Did I get a REAL ID?No. REAL IDs were not available before Oct. 1, 2018. REAL IDs also require different documentation, mandated by federal law, than standard driver’s licenses or ID cards or enhanced driver’s licenses (EDL) or ID cards (EID). How can Minnesotans get help?
Does California have an enhanced driver's license?A California issued REAL ID driver's license or identification card meets these new requirements and is marked with a gold bear and star. Applying for a REAL ID requires proofs of identity, California residency, and a trip to a DMV office.
Is California REAL ID same as driver's license?A REAL ID is a driver's license or identification card that is also a federally accepted form of identification. REAL ID cards are marked with a gold bear and a star.
What does an enhanced driver's license look like in California?A: A California REAL ID will be marked in the top right corner with an image of a golden bear with a star on its backside. This is the REAL ID symbol that tells you it's a REAL ID license. A non-federal compliant license (so, not a REAL ID) would feature the “Federal Limits Apply” wording in that spot instead.
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