REAL ID Deadline Approaching For NJ Residents: What To Know

NEW JERSEY — With just six months left until the federal enforcement of REAL ID begins for commercial domestic air travel, New Jersey officials are reminding residents to prepare.

Officials with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission say residents who want a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or photo ID card should get their documents together as soon as possible to avoid missing the deadline.

Starting in May 2023, drivers' licenses and state IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted as identification by federal authorities. The announcement that the deadline has been postponed until May 3, 2023 was made Tuesday. April 27. Read more: REAL ID Deadline Extended Again For NJ

While REAL IDs are optional, you'll need some form of acceptable identification to board domestic flights and access federal buildings if you do not obtain one. Other IDs that will be accepted to fly or get into a federal building include a U.S. passport or a military ID.

The MVC, which has been dealing with months of complaints regarding slow service and long lines, has built a website to deal with questions regarding REAL ID.

"If you typically use your driver's license or non-driver ID (instead of a passport or other form of ID) to fly within the U.S., you probably want a REAL ID," the website says. "Otherwise you will need to use a valid U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification. The Standard New Jersey driver license can still be used for driving."

Two additional changes took effect on March 1:

• Name changes and/or gender marker changes may be completed in conjunction with a REAL ID or License Renewal appointment. Otherwise, name changes and/or gender marker changes remain available on a walk-in basis.
• Probationary licenses will be available via an open appointment: following a successful road test, applicants have 60 days to get their license at any Licensing Center.

The MVC told Patch that it makes hundreds of REAL ID appointments each day, but demand is "very high."

"We have been working aggressively to move transactions online and improve transaction speeds in our 23 Licensing Centers to expand the capacity to issue REAL IDs, which require an in-person visit," the MVC said in a statement.

Republicans claim there are no appointments at the Motor Vehicle Commission. Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick is calling on the commission to fix the problem.

“I continue to hear from constituents who cannot find an available appointment,” said Bramnick. “The federal government will start enforcing REAL ID in a few months and the MVC must ensure all residents who want a new ID are able to get one.”

The MVC said the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the ability of all states to issue REAL ID.

"Many states and advocacy groups are (were) in the process of lobbying the Department of Homeland Security to extend the deadline for REAL ID until October 2022. In the meantime, we intend to work strenuously to provide as many REAL ID licenses as possible," the agency said.

The MVC also created a video that provides the step-by-step basics on getting a REAL ID:

You can get a Real ID by appointment here.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. New Jersey received several extensions to implement the requirements.

The federal Department of Homeland Security postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19. Now it's postponed again to May 2023.

A REAL ID costs $24 in New Jersey, which is the same cost as the initial driver’s license or getting renewed. Changing a standard license to a REAL ID before its renewal costs is $11.

To get a REAL ID you'll need the following documents:

• Two proofs of residential address
• One proof of your social security number
• Six points of ID

Here the proofs of residential address you can use:

• Valid NJ driver license/non-driver identification card, or a Motor Vehicle Commission issued driver license renewal form (displaying residential address)
• Utility or credit card bill issued in the past 90 days
• Checking or savings account statement from a bank or credit union issued within the past 60 days
• Original, unexpired lease or rental agreement
• Tax bill, statement or receipt, and/or any letter or correspondence received from the IRS or tax office within the past year
• First-class mail from any government agency in the past six months
• If under 18, statement from parent or guardian certifying address of applicant

Here are the social security proofs you can use:

• Social Security Card
• W-2 Form issued within the past year
• Pay Stub with name and full SSN
• 1099 Form issued within the past year

For more information on obtaining a REAL ID in New Jersey, go here.