REAL ID Deadline Approaches For NYC Residents: What To Know

NEW YORK CITY – With just six months left until the federal enforcement of REAL ID begins for commercial domestic air travel, NYC officials are reminding residents to prepare – and time is running out for residents to get them before their travel plans get disrupted.

Starting on October 1, 2021, U.S. citizens won't be able to take domestic flights without a REAL ID or a passport. The law was passed by Congress in 2005 as a way to establish minimum security standards for state-issued IDs.

The REAL ID will become mandatory for domestic flights and to enter military bases and other certain federal sites, but having one is voluntary. It is not required for:

• Being able to drive.
• Voting or registering to vote
• Receiving Federal benefits
• Accessing hospitals and health clinics, law enforcement or court proceedings.

Information about getting a REAL ID has been shared by New York state in an online leaflet.

You can find the document guide by clicking here.

The program has been opposed by the ACLU, which says it is a thinly veiled attempt to create a national ID. The ACLU also says the ID will allow the federal government to collect even more information on residents, as well as place a burden on state governments to issue the ID cards.

REAL IDs don't look much different from a standard New York State driver's license, and the license itself doesn't have any new information. But in order to receive one, you have to go to the DMV and prove your identity, your New York residency, your lawful presence in the country and your Social Security status.

Doing this gets you a star icon on your license, which means it is REAL ID compliant.

Unlike regular license renewals, getting a REAL ID requires an in-person visit to the DMV. That caused long delays even before those offices were shut down by COVID, as the New York Post reported.

Offices have now re-opened for limited in-person transactions, but you need to make an appointment in advance. You can do that here.

When you go to the DMV to get your REAL ID, you have to bring a few documents with you. And they need to be originals, not copies:

• Proof of identity, such as valid license, birth certificate or passport, with your full first, middle and last name. This name will be displayed on your card as required by federal law.
• Proof of Social Security number or Social Security number ineligibility. If you have a New York State driver's license or identification card, you must bring your Social Security card or a letter from the Social Security Administration proving your ineligibility to have a Social Security number. If you lost your Social Security card, you must obtain a duplicate before you go to the DMV.
• Proof of your date of birth.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or temporary lawful status in the U.S.
• Two different proofs of New York State residence such as a utility bill, bank statement or mortgage statement (a post office box not acceptable). This address will be displayed on your card.
• If the name on your license, permit or non-driver ID application does not match the name on your identity, lawful status and Social Security proofs, you must bring court- or government-issued proof documenting the event causing your name change, such as a marriage license, divorce decree, adoption or court order document.