After a few postponements, the deadline to obtain a REAL ID to board domestic flights is May 7, 2025.
Last week, however, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proposed a new rule that would allow for a transition period of two years before full enforcement of the ID would kick in.
Don’t want to wait? Here’s how to get a REAL ID in California — and a tip to speed up the process:
Start the process online
You will need to visit a DMV office to get a REAL ID, but California wants you to fill out an application and upload your required ID documents online ahead of time. The one big advantage of starting the process early is that once you are done, you will be given a confirmation code that will fast track you when you get to DMV. If you want to wait, you likely will have to input your data at a DMV kiosk onsite, anyway.
— To apply for a REAL ID online, first you must create a DMV account and fill out the application for a driver’s license/ID.
— Then upload the required ID documents: These include one proof of identity document and two proof of residency documents. Here are some examples:
Proof of identity documents:
- Valid U.S. passport or passport card
- Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office). “Abbreviated” or “Abstract” certificates are NOT accepted.
- Valid Permanent Resident Card
- Foreign passport with valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certified copy of birth certificate from a U.S. territory
- Valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)
- Valid Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797)
- U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen
- Valid foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
- Documents reflecting TPS benefit eligibility
Proof of California residency documents:
- Home utility bill or cellphone bill
- Records from any state or national bank, state or federal savings association, trust company, industrial loan company, state or federal credit union, or any institution or entity that has issued a credit card
- Insurance documents, including medical, dental, vision, life, home, rental or vehicle
- Medical documents
- A document issued by a U.S. government agency, meaning the entity, office, or authority governing over a country, state, county, city, municipality, district, agency, department, or any other political subdivision of a country or state
- Mortgage bill
- Employment documents
- Tax return (either Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) Faith-based document that includes the name and address of organization
- Rental or lease agreement with the signature of the owner/landlord and the tenant/resident
- School documents issued by a public or private primary, secondary, or post-secondary institution, college, or university that includes the applicant’s date of birth. If using a foreign school document, it must be sealed by the school and include a photograph of the applicant at the age the record was issued.
- Change of Address Confirmation by the U.S. Postal Service
- Property tax bill or statement
- Letter attesting that the applicant resides in California from a homeless shelter, shelter for abused women, nonprofit entity, faith-based organization, employer or government agency within the United States
- Deed or title to residential real property
- Voter registration confirmation letter or postcard issued by the California Secretary of State or a local California county elections officer
- Proof of payment of resident tuition at a public institution of higher education in California
- An original copy of an approved Claim for Homeowners’ Property Tax Exemption (BOE-266) form filed with a local California County Assessor
- Court documents that list the applicant as a resident of California
- California Certificate of Vehicle or Vessel Titles or registration
- A DMV No Fee Identification Card Eligibility Verification (DL 933) form, completed and signed
If you use a P.O. box, you must bring in at least one document that shows both your P.O. box and a physical address.
If there is a different name on the residency documents, you can bring other documentation such as a marriage license, birth certificate or name change form to trace your connection to the named person.
At the DMV
Once you’ve completed the application online and uploaded your documents, you will receive a confirmation code with a green symbol to bring to the DMV office. Often, that will get you ahead of the queue. Be sure to also bring along the physical ID documents to present at the office.
The DMV representative will help complete the process to obtain/renew a license, which may include a vision test and written test. You’ll take a new photo and a thumbprint — then you’re all set.
It will take approximately 2-6 weeks for the ID to be sent. When it arrives, look for the REAL ID star in the top right corner.
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