How to get a california real id license from the dmv the. The real id allows you to use your ca id card for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings after october 1, 2020. All states are required to offer a real id card option by october 2020. If you received a dmv letter asking for a second proof of residency document and are unsure what to do, see our second residency requirement faqs. Your id card copy will be issued within a period of 60 days and mailed to the address currently on file with dmv. Heres the fix from the dmv for your real id drivers license.
Applying for a california real id official website. Try heading over to their website first for more information. Ca dmv to allow drivers to get a real id card faster the. California real id requirements explained mayde gomez breaks down everything you need to know about the california real id requirements. A real id act compliant id card or drivers license requirement to get a dbids id card. A real id compliant license or id card is a federally accepted form of identification. Oct 07, 2018 its become the source of headaches and delays at dmv offices across california. The upgraded license conforms to federal requirements for a change that goes into effect on oct. The noncompliant cards cannot be used to get on a domestic flight or enter military bases. In a recent article posted on the departments website, the california dmv made an announcement regarding the new real id driver licenses and id cards due to roll out in 2018. Important notice the federal government will begin enforcing real id on october 1. The federal rules aim to help ensure that the person presenting a state id card is actually who he or she claims to be. The federal government will begin enforcing real id on october 1, 2021 one year later than previously announced. The real id is a new, special california drivers license that will double as a federally accepted id required when jumping aboard flights beginning in 2020 some will just choose to use a u.
For international travel, youll still need a passport. The enhanced drivers license edl and real id are based on two different congressional mandates with divergent requirements. How can i tell if my licenseid is real idcompliant. The act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits. California is one of 24 states that have been granted an extension until october 1, 2020 for the use of their current non real id compliant license for domestic air travel. New to california, real id driver licenses and id cards in 2018. A passbook book or card can be used for sat identification. Requirements for a california identification card ffdl 6. The tsa will enforce real id compliant air travel by 2020. Use it as identification to board domestic flights. Nov 23, 2018 check out the first blog in our real id series here, which covers what a real id is, when you should get one, and what happens if you choose not to get one. The real id act, passed by congress in 2005, enacted the 911 commissions recommendation that the federal government set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as drivers licenses. This will help you to determine when the real id act will be enforced in your home. Jan 12, 2018 dmv to begin issuing real ids, required for domestic flights beginning 2020.
How to get a california state id card legal beagle. If you know you will not be boarding a domestic flight or visiting secure federal facilities or military bases, you do not need a real id driver license or id card. Passport or military id will be required by the federal government to board domestic flights, or to access some federal facilities starting on october 1, 2020. As of last month, roughly 16 million california drivers were expected to come to the dmv by the end of the year for a real id. Real id cards are stateissued identification credentials that comply with all of the requirements of the federal real id act.
California dmv to offer real ids for domestic airline travel. For information by state, including where to obtain a real id, visit the dhs real id. California dmv to offer real id driver licenses and id. Passport, original or certified copy of birth certificate, permanent residency card. Theres a benefit to not getting a real id too soon orange. California ids contain three layers bonded together with heat, so the layers should not separate. Ca military personnel can use their military identification cards as legal proof of id when replacing a lost california drivers license or id. The california department of motor vehicles begins accepting applications today for real id drivers licenses and state identification cards. For more information on real id, please visit realid. A valid california driver license or id card can be used to board a. Driver license or identification card application dl 44. Dmv is now offering the option of federal compliant real id driver license and id cards. The old cards will still be a valid form of state id so youll.
What is a real id drivers license or identification card. Starting january 22, 2018, at dmv offices statewide, californians may choose to apply for either a real id or a federal noncompliant card. Is a real id california drivers license hard to get. The california dmv began offering a federal compliant real id driver license or id card as an option to customers on january 22, 2018. Book a dmv appointment and get a head start on everyone else in california who will need to get a real id.
A passport or a passport card meets the requirement, as do global entry cards for u. This stepbystep information video explains the real id program and prepares you to apply for a real id driver license or identification card. How to replace a lost california drivers license dmv. Heres the fix from the dmv for your real id drivers.
To apply for a real id card, you must present one identity document that includes your date of birth and your true full name first, middle, and last. A golden bear with a white star in it appears in the top right corner of california real id act license cards. Real id is a new kind of identification card issued by the california dmv that requires more proof of identity residence to obtain, and meets the new federal regulations for identification. Real id, the federally compliant drivers license that can be used as identification for getting on a plane starting in october 2020, became available jan. Theres a benefit to not getting a real id too soon. Californians may choose either a real id or a federal noncompliant card. The clock is ticking for the roughly 16 million california drivers who are expected to come the department of motor vehicles by the end of the year for a real id. Complies with federal requirements to allow the applicant to use their id card as identification to board an airplane, enter military bases, and most federal facilities. All real id compliant id cards issued by california dmv will contain a california grizzly bear and a star on the front upperright corner of the card. Important notice the federal government will begin enforcing real id on october 1, 2021 one year later than previously announced.
Michigan, vermont, minnesota, and new york states issue real id and stateissued enhanced drivers licenses, both of which are acceptable. Real id is a driver license or identification card that is also a federally accepted form of identification. Dec 27, 2018 real ids are issued as either a drivers license or an id card, and any valid real id will be identifiable by the california bear and star logo in the upper righthand corner. Its important to note that a real id is required only for entering airport security checkpoints and boarding aircraft, as well as entering secured federal facilities and nuclear plants. Real id is a new kind of identification card issued by the california dmv that requires more proof of identity residence to obtain, and meets the new federal regulations for. For people whose driver license or identification card expires between now and the federal deadline of oct. The first step will be to look up if your state is already real id compliant, to ensure you can apply for your real id at your local dmv. After that date, only a real id card or other federally approved documents will be accepted, such as a u. Applying for a real id requires proofs of identity, social security number ssn if eligible, california residency, and a trip to a dmv office. What you need to know about california realid drivers. Real id driver license internet renewal california dmv ca.
The real id act is a federal law passed by congress after sept. Its a license or id that is compliant with the real id act, a law passed by congress in 2005 following 911 that sought to create standardized drivers licenses in all states. What is real id and can i use my va issued id card in. To ensure you dont get turned away at the dmv without your documents, weve put together a checklist of needed documents. While airlines and tsa have long accepted stateissued drivers licenses or other photo identification cards for travel within the united states, the real id. If you received a dmv letter asking for a second proof of residency document and are unsure what to do, see our second residency requirement faqs when your real id driver license or identification card is up for renewal, you may be eligible to renew it online. A passport, passport card or california identification card is not a substitute for a drivers license. Electronic driver license and identification card id application. Real ids will have a special marking of the california grizzly bear with a star on the top right corner of the card. The california dmv has begun issuing federallycompliant real id drivers licenses and identification cards in addition to standard noncompliant credentials. Sep 23, 2019 this stepbystep information video explains the real id program and prepares you to apply for a real id driver license or identification card. The procedures of renewing id cards and obtaining id card copies in california will be completed once applicants submit payment for the prices set forth by dmv. These are licenses and ids that will be required to. However, unlike other forms of id, real ids can be used to prove identity when boarding domestic flights or when.
Once youre sure youll be able to apply for a real id in your home state, its time to gather all the documents youll need at the dmv. A california real id card is an identification card that complies with federal standards. Real ids are issued as either a drivers license or an id card, and any valid real id will be identifiable by the california bear and star logo in the upper righthand corner. Washington state issues enhanced drivers licenses only. Chrome, internet explorer, firefox, opera, or safari. When your real id driver license or identification card is up for.
Real id is a new kind of identification card issued by the california dmv that requires more proof of identity residence to obtain, and meets the. One exception that might prompt you to go real earlier is if you will need to visit a highsecurity or military facility. May 22, 2019 the fix for those early adopters of the real id drivers license is coming soon to a mailbox near you, the california department of motor vehicles has announced. Real id frequently asked questions homeland security. Dmv to offer real id driver license and id cards january 22. For more information about passports and passport cards, visit the u. Both documents must show the applicants first and last name and the same mailing address that is listed on the driver license or identification card application. The act established minimum security standards for license issuance and.
California began issuing new identification cards monday that will eventually be mandatory across the u. California dmv to offer real id driver licenses and id cards in 2018 federal enforcement begins october 1, 2020 sacramento the california department of motor vehicles dmv will begin offering the option to apply for a federal compliant real id driver license or identification id card beginning january 22, 2018 at dmv offices statewide. Federal agencies can accept drivers licenses and identification cards from california at federal facilities and nuclear power plants state of california department of motor vehicles. Jan 23, 2018 to obtain a real id license, drivers will have a choice between making an appointment or standing in line without one, but they will need to present three types of documents. To save time, dmv customers can fill out the online electronic driver license and id card application before visiting a dmv field. The passbook card allows the minor to present a airline boarding pass with photo id to tsa. Californians could soon be turned away from airports if they dont have a real id card, and many drivers still havent come in for the updated.
Apply for a new california identification card dmv. Your real id requirements checklist real id california. Whats the deal with a ca senior citizen identification card. Aug 27, 2019 however, if your state received an extension to reach compliance, you can only keep using your old id until that extension expires. Beginning january 22, 2018, the california department of motor vehicles dmv will be offering real id compliant driver licenses and identification cards. To prove that you live in california, you must present two documents that contain your california mailing address. Trump adds 1year real id extension because of coronavirus. Residents are held to a higher standard of documentation when applying for real ids than for other forms of id. Jan 22, 2018 heres what californians need to know about real id licenses, how to get them and how necessary they will be.
Enhanced drivers licenses and real id enhanced drivers license and real id are two separate programs. Using the real id checklist does not guarantee you will be able to obtain a real id card. The california dmv has begun issuing federallycompliant real id driver s licenses and identification cards in addition to standard noncompliant credentials. A california issued real id driver license or identification card meets these new requirements and is marked with a gold bear and star. After that, you might need an additional or alternate form of id between the extension expiration and sept. San francisco kgo heres why i dont have a real id california drivers license. Many military bases have transitioned to use of the defense biometric identification system for military base access. You still need a valid drivers license to operate a motor vehicle. Until october 1, 2020, a valid california driver license or id card can be used for federal purposes, including boarding a domestic flight and entering military bases or secure federal facilities. The newly minted documentation is part of the real id act. Customers can also use the real id interactive checklist to gather the documents needed to apply for a california real id driver license or id card. Real id compliant forms of identification dont just include drivers licenses. Beginning january 22, all california driver licenses and id cards will also have a new card design. For more information about the california real id, visit the dmv website.
Stateissued enhanced drivers licenses do not have a star on the top of the card. If you dont have a real id, we recommend getting one. There is no need to rush into a dmv field office, reads an faq on the departments website. Use our real id documents checklist to gather all of the documentation that you will need to bring to the dmv with you when you come in to get your real id. Your real id requirements checklist real id your california. The cost to get a real id card is the same as getting a drivers license or a regular identification card. The fees to renew an id card or purchase a replacement for a lost or stolen credential will depend on the type of identification document individuals are currently holding. She said something about it being a new thing, but the.
Edl is an attempt to satisfy the mandate of the western hemisphere travel initiative, which was passed by. Real id and federal noncompliant cards are both valid forms of identification. With a passport book or card a minor can open a savings account. Jul 26, 2018 the dmv in california lets you get a regular id card called a federal noncompliant card or a real id compliant id card. The real id will be required for travel starting oct. Nov 30, 2019 california id cards and drivers licenses issued after september 2010 display raised numbers to display the cardholders date of birth, which can be felt. The checklist is for your personal use you will not be asked to present this list to get your real id. Mar 27, 2020 the real id technically is not mandatory because you can instead use other approved documents, including a passport, passport card, u. Simply follow the steps listed above in replacing a lost or stolen ca drivers license at your local dmv office as mentioned above, you cannot replace your id if you are out of state or overseas. Sacramento the california department of motor vehicles dmv will begin offering the option to apply for a federal compliant real id driver license or identification id card beginning january 22, 2018 at dmv offices statewide. As of today, june 15, 2019, on the ca dmv site, it says, you will need a real id driver license or identification card if you want to continue using your driver license or identification card to do any of the following. Real id compliant cards are marked with a star at the top of the card. Applying for this card normally includes a requirement to use a real id actcompliant id or a replacement for those not allowed by.
Next, head on over to this blog for more information on which states are currently real id compliant. How to obtain a real id california drivers license. In order to complete the electronic application, you must use the latest version of dmvs recommended web browsers. These standards were set in 2005, when congress passed the real id act. The real id act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes drivers licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the acts minimum standards. Secure drivers licenses and identification documents are a vital component of a holistic national security strategy.
You need to provide a federallyapproved id when doing activities such as boarding an airplane, going onto a military base, or stepping into a federal building like a courthouse or legislative building or a. Whats a passport card, and can it replace a real id. The california dmv will begin providing real id compliant identification beginning on jan. What if i need real id before my current license expires.
California began issuing real id licenses in january 2018. A real id is any stateissued drivers license or id card that meets new u. Board a flight within the united states starting october 1, 2020 emphasis mine. As mandated by the real id act of 2005, a real id, u. Compliant cards have pictures of bears on them, while noncompliant cards have federal limits apply written on them. Now, just like you, i have been told for a couple years that i need a real id drivers. A week ago i go to my local dmv office with application in hand to renew my drivers license. The state of california began issuing federal real id cards monday to residents. The cost for a real id driver license or identification card is the same as those currently charged for a standard driver license or identification card. Frequently asked questions and answers regarding the implementation the real id act. When your real id driver license or identification card is up for renewal, you may be eligible to renew it online. California real id acts like a passport for air travel within the u. Real id compliant licenses are marked by a star on the top of the card. If youre not sure, contact your state drivers license agency on how to obtain a real id compliant card.