REAL ID Deadline is on May 7; Shapiro urges Pennsylvanians to prepare

As the REAL ID deadline slowly approaches, Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro and his Administration are reminding people to take action.

What you need to know:

• Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania.
• Travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, ID card, or federally-acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to board a domestic commercial flight, and enter military bases and other federal facilities that require ID at the door.
• PennDOT is hosting a series of REAL ID Days at driver license centers across Pennsylvania.
  • A complete schedule of REAL ID Days events can be found HERE.
• Check if REAL ID is right for you by using the online REAL ID ready tool.
• To apply for a REAL ID you will need:
• Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents:
  • Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
  • Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
  • Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
  • Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county’s family court.
• Customers will need to pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee.
• The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license.
• After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will not pay any additional fee beyond regular renewal fees to renew a REAL ID product.

“As the weather starts getting warmer, we know many Pennsylvanians have made exciting travel plans,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “With federal REAL ID enforcement beginning on May 7, your travel planning should include making sure you have proper ID to fly. If you want to keep using your driver’s license or photo ID card to fly domestically, you’ll need to upgrade to a REAL ID if you haven’t already.”

“One thing travelers can do to make sure their trip goes as smoothly as possible is to obtain a Real ID compliant driver’s license. Thank you to the TSA, PennDOT and AAA for partnering on this initiative to make sure travelers have a REAL ID compliant state ID or driver’s license or a passport or passport card before the deadline. Our team takes pride in ensuring passengers have a great experience with their journey via PHL,” said Philadelphia International Airport CEO Atif Saeed.

“Pennsylvania residents who plan to travel domestically by plane should take advantage of the opportunity to get their REAL ID identification sooner rather than later to avoid potential last-minute scrambling when planning air travel,” said Jana Tidwell, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “If you currently board domestic flights using your state-issued driver’s license as your form of identification, you’ll need to apply for a REAL ID driver’s license or start using a passport to board a domestic flight. Travelers interested in obtaining a REAL ID should begin the application process ahead of time to ensure they do not experience any travel delays or postponements.”