REAL ID Deadline Extended Again For NYC, Rest Of Nation

NEW YORK CITY — New Yorkers will have an additional 19 months to get their REAL ID after the Department of Homeland Security delayed the requirement for domestic air travelers to show the form of identification or a passport.

The deadline has been postponed until May 3, 2023. Officials said the new delay is due to the pandemic, which is making it harder for people to get into state motor vehicle departments and get the new IDs. Fewer than 50 percent of Americans have obtained their REAL ID.

The requirement had been supposed to go into effect in October this year.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. The Department of Homeland Security initially postponed the enforcement date for REAL ID from Oct. 1, 2020, to Oct. 1, 2021, in response to COVID-19.

"Extending the Real ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver’s licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a Real ID-compliant license or identification card,” DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

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.