Buy a Real Driving License
If your driver's license or state ID has an asterisk in the upper right-hand corner then you're REAL ID compliant and there's nothing else you have to do.
If you require a real ID, you'll be required to visit the DMV and bring several proofs of your identity and residency. Find out more about the requirements.
What is a Real ID?
A Real ID is a security driver's license or state identification card which meets federal standards. The Real ID Act, passed in 2005 following the September 11 attacks on the United States of America, requires that states meet certain requirements in the process of granting or renewing driver's licenses as well as identification cards. The goal of the act is to create more secure and reliable method of identification that can be used by air travelers, law enforcement officers, and for entry into secure government facilities.
If you have an ordinary New York state driver's license or ID card that doesn't have a gold star in the upper right corner, it is not REAL ID compliant, and you'll need to upgrade to get one. Click here to check whether your ID card is REAL ID compliant.
The process to get the Real ID is relatively easy in New York. First, you have to go to an Secretary State Driver Services location to submit your application. You'll need to submit evidence of your identity and date of birth, U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency and a valid photo ID, two different proofs of residence, and a $28 fee (see the Fee Chart). Our Facility Locator will help you locate the closest Secretary of States Driver Services office.
After you have provided all the necessary documents and have paid the fees, the secretary of state will verify your identity and conduct an investigation into your background. If you are approved and the Secretary of State will send your new standard DL or ID to you in the mail. If you are approved for an REAL ID it will be indicated on your ID.
If you are planning to travel internationally, you'll require an ID card, not a passport. Real ID. Passports are a more reliable and robust method of identification, and you'll have to carry it with you in order to travel abroad. This will also be the case when you wish to fly commercially within the United States, as airlines will require that passengers have an ID with a REAL name or a valid passport before they can fly.
How do I obtain a Real ID?
The New York DMV is providing a number of online tools that can help applicants get through the process of applying for a Real ID. One of these tools, an individualized document checklist, allows applicants to monitor the status of their application and 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 applying for a Real ID.
The Real ID Act mandates that states comply with federal security standards in relation to their standard driver's licences and state identification card. If they do not conform with the law will be marked as such and won't be able to use them for federal purposes, including boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings. The DMV offers a variety of options for people to obtain a Real ID. This includes online, over the phone, or in person.
A Real ID is a driver's licence, permit or non-driver identification card issued by the DMV that is compliant with federal law. It will be required to travel on air within the United States and to enter some federal buildings beginning in May 2025, unless you hold an active passport. You can identify a Real ID by looking for a gold star on the top right corner of your card. Non-compliant cards don't have the gold star.
If you aren't in a position to meet the requirements for an Real ID, they can nevertheless obtain an enhanced driver's license, or an enhanced photo ID that conforms with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. These documents are valid for both sea and land travel to Canada, Mexico, and certain Caribbean countries. However, they cannot be used on flights between these destinations.
To get an Real ID or an enhanced document, applicants will need to visit the DMV office in person. They will also need to present an acceptable photo ID, evidence of US citizenship and proof of state residency. The exact documents that are acceptable will vary based on their situation, but usually include one document for each of the categories. The proof of US citizenship could be a birth certificate or naturalization certificate. Evidence of residency in the state could be a utility invoice or bank statement, or pay stubs that include their name and address.
What do I need to bring to DMV in order to get a real ID?
The documents you'll need to bring to the DMV vary depending on what you are doing. However there are a few important things you must remember to bring with you. First, make sure you bring two pieces of documentation that can prove your identity. You should carry a valid passport or driver's licence or birth certificate. Also, make sure führerschein kaufen in deutschland bring proof of residency that proves you are a resident of New York. This could be a utility bill or bank statement (the document must indicate your current address and address - P.O. boxes or "in care of" addresses are not accepted).
Bring a picture that is in line with the requirements. The exact requirements for a picture will vary depending on your situation however, the majority of people have to take a photo with a front view that is clear and shows your face.
Once you have the necessary documents, you can apply to the DMV to get your Real ID. You have to apply in person, and you will need to visit an DMV office or one of their partner offices like DMV Express. You can find a list of locations and their hours on the DMV website.
Make a reservation prior to when you arrive at the DMV. This will save you from long wait times.
The cost of the Real ID card in New York will depend on your specific situation. You'll need to pay a fee for the application, a photo and the card itself. You'll have to pay different fees for applying for a driver's licence, renewing an existing license, or converting an existing New York State ID or license to a Real ID.
You will also have to provide proof of your Social Security number. The DMV must verify your birth date and name with the Social Security Administration if you are applying for an enhanced ID or Real ID driver's licence. If the name you have on your proof of identity legal status, lawful status, or 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 courtor a government-issued document that explains the events that led to the name change.
How long does it take to get a Real ID?
Until recently renewing your license was as easy as getting the mailer which informed you that it was time to renew. Now, if would like to fly or enter certain federal buildings or military bases, you'll need an ID that is REAL or an enhanced driver's license. The clock is ticking, but it's not too late to get your Real ID.
The REAL ID Act mandates that states meet certain security standards when it comes to their permits, licenses, and identification cards. The government claims that the new rules make it more difficult for criminals trying to alter or counterfeit these documents. Federal agencies like the Transportation Security Administration will require an actual ID or an enhanced photo ID for passengers to board domestic flights, or enter certain federal facilities, like military bases.
You'll need to submit specific proofs of identification to DMV in order to satisfy the federal requirements when you apply for an enhanced photo document or a Real photo document. The Department of Motor Vehicles' website offers an online guide to documents that will help you understand the documents you'll need when you visit the office to complete your application.
In addition to your existing driver's license or state ID card, you'll need birth certificate or another form of certified public record that includes the name and date of your birth, as well as two proofs of New York residency. This could include a bank statement, utility bill, pay stub indicating your current address, or printed online documents. Boxes are not acceptable).
Based on your age, you'll also need to have either the passport or an official immigration document. If you're a veteran you can include a specific designation on your ID or license that proves you were in the U.S. Military, which can allow you to receive discounts on flight tickets and assist you in finding housing.
Renewals of Real ID may not require any additional steps in the event that you already have a valid. If you want an enhanced or REAL photo-based document, look up the DMV's online calculator to see the cost and the documents you'll need. There are websites that claim to scan and upload your documents from home, but these websites are not associated with the DMV. These companies may utilize your documents for fraud purposes, so you should not provide them with images.