Virginia REAL ID Deadline: When, Why You Should Get One In 2020

VIRGINIA — The start of 2020 is a reminder that Virginia residents may need to make the switch to REAL ID drivers' licenses or state IDs later in the year. Starting on Oct. 1, 2020, REAL ID credentials will be needed to board domestic flights and access secure federal facilities or nuclear power plants. Passports and military identifications will still be valid for air travel.

At the Virginia DMV, residents have the choice to upgrade to a REAL ID compliant card or stick with the standard driver's license or state ID. The standard drivers' license that isn't REAL ID compliant will still be valid for several purposes after the Oct. 1, 2020 deadline:

• Driving
• Voting or registering to vote
• Verifying identity at banks, utility companies, and retail stores
• Applying for or receiving federal benefits
• Accessing health or life preserving services

Obtaining a Real ID requires the following:

• One proof of identity
• One proof of legal presence
• Two proofs of Virginia residency
• One proof of Social Security number
• Current driver's license, if you are applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state, territory or jurisdiction
• If proof documents contain different names (for example, if the last name on a birth certificate is different than the name on a payroll check stub), it's necessary to supply documents showing proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or a court order.

See all documents accepted to obtain REAL ID in Virginia.

REAL ID credentials are associated with a one-time $10 fee as well as the standard driver’s license or state ID card fees. The REAL ID compliant card will display the phrase "Federal Limits Apply." Residents must apply for their first REAL ID in person — the REAL ID credential can be renewed online in the future.

If you have questions about REAL ID, Virginia DMV's website has more information.