Buy a Real Driving License
If your state ID or driver's license already has an asterisk in the upper-right side, you are already REAL ID compliant. You don't need to do anything else.
If you need a REAL ID, you'll be required to visit the DMV and bring with you various proofs of identity and residency. Find out more information about the requirements.
What is a real ID?
A Real ID is a federally compliant driver's license or state identification card that is compliant with the highest security standards. The Real ID Act was passed in 2005 following the September 11 attacks. It obliges states to comply with certain standards when issuing or renewing drivers' licenses and identification cards. The goal of the act is to create an additional secure and reliable form of identification that can be used by air travelers, law enforcement, and to enter secure government facilities.
If Click Link have a standard New York state driver's license or ID card that does not have a gold star in the upper right corner, it is not REAL ID compliant, and you'll need to upgrade to obtain one. Check here to determine whether your credential is REAL ID-compliant.
The process of getting a Real ID is relatively easy in New York. The first step is to visit an Secretary of State Driver Services facility in person to submit your application and the required documents. You will be required to provide evidence of your identity, date of birth, U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent residence, a valid ID photo and two proofs of residency, and a fee of $28 (see the Fee Chart). Find your closest Secretary of State Driver Services location by using our Facility Finder.
After you have submitted all of the necessary documents and have paid the fees After you have submitted all of the required documents, the secretary of state will confirm your identity and conduct an identity check. If you are approved and the Secretary of State will send you a new standard DL or ID to you in the mail. If you have been approved for an REAL ID it will be stated on your document.
If you plan to travel internationally, you'll need more than a Real ID. A passport is an extremely reliable and durable form of identification, and you'll require it with you in order to travel abroad. This will also be the case when you wish to travel on commercial flights within the United States, as airlines will require that passengers possess a REAL ID or a valid passport to travel.
How do I obtain an Real ID?
The New York DMV is providing several online tools to help applicants to navigate the process of applying for an Real ID. One of these tools, an individualized document check list, allows people to track the status of their application as well as determine which documents they should bring to their local DMV. Another tool is an Youtube video that will help applicants avoid the common mistakes that people make when trying to get a Real ID.
The Real ID Act mandates that states comply with federal security standards in relation to their standard driver's licenses and state identification cards. Those who do not comply are tagged and will not be able to use their IDs for federal use. This includes boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. The DMV offers various ways for people to obtain an authentic ID, such as online, by phone, or in person.
A Real ID is a federally-compliant DMV-issued driver's license or permit or non-driver ID card. In May 2025, it will be required to fly within the United States, and enter certain federal buildings unless you have an authentic passport. You can tell if you have a Real ID by looking for a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of your card. Non-compliant cards are not able to display the gold star.
If you are not able to meet the requirements for a Real ID, you can still obtain an enhanced driver's license or enhanced photo ID that is compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. These documents are valid for sea and land travel to Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries. However, they cannot be used for air travel between these countries.
To obtain an Real ID or an enhanced document, applicants will need to visit the DMV office in person. They will also need to carry a valid ID photo, evidence of US citizenship and proof of residency in the state. The required documents will differ according to the circumstances but usually include one document for each category. For instance the proof of US citizenship can be a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, and proof of state residency could be an utility bill, bank statement or pay stub with their name and address on it.
What do I need to bring to the DMV to obtain a Real ID?
The documents you'll need to bring to the DMV depend on the type of work you are doing. There are a few essential things you should never forget to bring. Bring two pieces of identification documentation. You should bring a valid passport, driver's licence or birth certificate. Bring a proof document to prove you live in New York. It could be an utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub (the document must display your current address - P.O. boxes or "in care of" addresses are not accepted).
Be sure to take a picture that meets the specifications. The requirements for a photo will differ depending on the specific situation. However, most people are required to take a clear picture that shows their face.
Once you have the required documents, you can apply at the DMV to get your Real ID. You'll have to apply on your own, so you'll need to go to either a DMV or partner office, such as DMV Express. You can find a list of locations and their hours on the DMV website.
Make a reservation before you go to the DMV. This will help you avoid long waiting times.
The cost of an Real ID in New York is contingent upon your particular situation. You will need to pay a fee for the application, a photograph and the card itself. The cost will differ if you are applying for an entirely new driver's license, renewing or renewing your existing license, or converting an old New York State license or ID to a Real ID.
In addition to the required documents, you'll also need to provide proof of your social security number. If you are applying for an Real ID driver's license or an Enhanced ID, the DMV will require verification of your name and date of birth with the Social Security Administration. If the name on your proof of identity, lawful status, and Social Security is not the identical to the name on your New York State driver's license or ID, you'll have to present a court- or government-issued proof documenting the events that caused the name change.
How long will it take to get an Real ID?
Prior to recently, renewing your license required only a letter in the mail advising you that it was time to renew. If you want to fly, or access certain federal structures or military bases, then you need an enhanced driver's license. The clock is going by, but it's too late to get your Real ID.
The REAL ID Act mandates that states adhere to certain security standards when it comes to their licenses, permits, and identification cards. The government says that the new regulations will make it harder for criminals to counterfeit or alter these documents. Federal agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration will require a REAL ID or Enhanced photo ID to board domestic flights, or enter certain federal facilities, such as military bases.
To be able to meet federal requirements, you'll need to provide specific proof of your identity to DMV when you apply for the Real or an Enhanced photo document. The Department of Motor Vehicles' website provides an online document guide that will help you to know the documents you'll need when you go to the office to fill out your paperwork.
In addition to your current driver's license or state ID card, you'll require birth certificate or some other document that is certified by the public with the name and date of your birth and two proofs of New York residency. This could include an utility bill, a bank statement, pay stub that has your current address or online documents (documents with P.O. Boxes cannot be used).
You'll require passport or an official immigration document based on your age. If you're a veteran, it is possible to add a designation to your ID or license indicating that you served in the U.S. Military. This can allow you to receive discounts on airline tickets and help with housing.
If you're already a Real ID holder, you might not require any more when it comes to renewing. If you're interested in an enhanced or REAL photo-based document, look up the DMV's online calculator to determine the cost and the documents you'll need. There are some websites that claim to pre-scan and upload your documents from home, but these websites are not associated with the DMV. Do not send images of your personal documents to these websites since they could be used for fraudulent purposes.