Many Americans may not be up for renewal but interested in a REAL ID. For your information, you will need to have a valid ID before May 7, 2025. Especially, if you would like to travel within the United States, access a federal facility that requires it or even a nuclear plant.
Do you happen to hold a valid passport? Then, you can comfortably wait to get a REAL ID until renewal is necessary. So, you will not need to renew your driver’s license or state’s ID yet.
Has your passport expired? Then, get REAL ID
Those citizens whose passport has expired may want to get REAL ID instead. In the first place, it is important to gather all the necessary documents before you get your new ID. It must be a proof of identity document, like, for example:
- Valid U.S. passport or passport card (Preferred)
- Documents reflecting TPS benefit eligibility
- Valid foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
- U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen
- Valid Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797)
- Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)
- Certified copy of birth certificate from a U.S. Territory
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Foreign passport with valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
- Valid Permanent Resident Card
- Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office). “Abbreviated” or “Abstract” certificates are NOT accepted.
Complete REAL ID online application
Secondly, you will have to complete the application online. Do not forget to upload any required documents before you fill out and submit your REAL ID application.
If you are provided with a confirmation, save it. The last thing you will need to do is visit a REAL ID center. For example, it could be a DMV center. DMV stands for Department of Motor Vehicles.
For instance, if you live in California, you can visit this website to go through the whole process: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/. In Pennsylvania, you can use the REAL ID Center Locator: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/find-a-location/real-id-center-locations.html.