- You apply for a REAL ID when you apply for or renew a license or state ID. Your state decides the process and documents.
- A card with a star in the upper right-hand corner is already REAL ID-compliant. California marks its cards with a golden bear and a star.
- Without a REAL ID you cannot use the card to access federal facilities or military installations, or to enter nuclear power plants.
- You can still fly without one using a passport or other accepted ID, or pay $45 in advance for TSA ConfirmID, valid for 10 days from your departure date.
What the card is, and what it is not
The REAL ID Act sets higher security standards for state-issued licenses and ID cards. It does not create a federal ID. The card is still issued by your state and it is still a driver's license or state ID. Choosing a REAL ID is optional: you can still get a non-REAL ID license, and your state's site tells you how.
Documents states ask for
USA.gov says that in most cases your state agency requires proof of three things.
| Proof of | Examples USA.gov gives |
|---|---|
| Identity | U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or a Permanent Resident Card for non-citizens |
| Social Security number | Social Security card, Form W-2, or a pay stub or paycheck from your job |
| Residency in the state | Deed, mortgage statement, lease, utility bill or bank statement |
Your state's list controls. California's DMV, for example, offers an interactive document checklist and lets you upload images of your identity and residency documents online before the office visit, then bring the originals.
Where look-alike sites come in
A search for REAL ID brings a very large audience, and the demand attracts imitators: sites that take a fee to “process” the upgrade, send you a checklist you can get free, or collect your document scans. The pattern California describes in its scam alert applies: fake sites that look official and charge unnecessary fees, and social media ads that link to them. The REAL ID upgrade itself happens inside your state's licensing process, at the state's price.
- The site address ends in
.govor is reached from the state directory. - The price shown is the state's own fee.
- You are not asked for your Social Security number except in the agency's own secure account or at the counter.
- Nobody offers to issue a REAL ID card by mail without any visit.
Fake star cards
Because the star is a visible mark, sellers of counterfeit licenses advertise “REAL ID compliant” fakes. Compliance is a state record created when the agency checks your documents; a card cannot be made compliant by printing a star. Producing or transferring a document that appears to be a driver's license carries a federal ceiling of 15 years under 18 U.S.C. 1028(b)(1); see fake driver's licenses and IDs.
If you never get one
USA.gov says you can fly with a passport or another acceptable ID, and that TSA ConfirmID is the fallback for travelers 18 and over with no other ID. If you are replacing a lost passport, see the State Department steps summarized in our passport renewal guide.
When a REAL ID is worth getting
The need depends on what you do. If you travel by air and carry a passport anyway, you may never need one. If you enter federal facilities, a REAL ID or another accepted document is how USA.gov says you do it. The upgrade happens at the time you apply for or renew a license or ID, so for many people the sensible moment is the next renewal rather than a special trip.
Costs and wait times
Fees differ among states and may change, so we give no number. California tells applicants to check wait times before visiting. USA.gov's TSA ConfirmID figure of $45 is a fallback for someone who does not have a REAL ID or any other accepted ID, not a replacement for it.
What to do if your documents do not match
A frequent reason for a delayed application is that the name on one document differs from the name on another, for example after a marriage. USA.gov lists the types of documents agencies accept for each proof, but your state decides which exact documents it takes. If your records do not match, ask the agency before you travel to the office; California's REAL ID page says the documents must show your date of birth and your true full legal name.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a REAL ID?
Apply at your state's licensing agency when you apply for or renew a license or ID. Bring proof of identity, Social Security number and residency; your state sets the exact documents. Check the official site in our state directory. California, for example, lets you upload proof documents in advance and then bring the originals to the office.
How can I tell if my license is a REAL ID?
Look for a star in the upper right-hand corner. USA.gov says a card with the star is already compliant and you need to do nothing more. The star is the marker USA.gov gives, and a different symbol can appear on some states' cards, such as California's golden bear with a star.
Can I fly without a REAL ID?
Yes. USA.gov says you can use a passport or another accepted form of ID. Travelers 18 and over with none of those can pay $45 in advance for TSA ConfirmID, valid for 10 days from departure. TSA ConfirmID is a payable fallback for travelers without any accepted ID, and it is only for flying.
Do I have to pay a website to get a REAL ID?
No. The upgrade is done through your state's agency at the state's fee. Sites that charge a separate processing fee add cost, and some collect your documents. If a site wants a processing fee for the upgrade, compare it with what your state charges to apply or renew.
Is a REAL ID a federal ID card?
No. It is a state-issued license or ID that meets federal standards. The state still issues it, and you apply through the state. The federal standard applies to what a state card can be used for at federal checkpoints, while the state still decides how to apply.