CA REAL ID Deadline Creeps Closer: When Can You Get Yours?

CALIFORNIA — California is ramping up efforts to get more residents to apply for their REAL ID cards, touting the convenience of completing documentation online and making an appointment to streamline the process. The push comes as the Department of Homeland Security prepares to enforce the identification form for air travelers.

The latest data shared with Patch Monday shows Golden State residents have been heading to the DMV in droves. As of Sept. 1, there were 14,094,438 Californians with REAL IDs, up from just 2,689,704 one year ago, according to DMV data.

The process of securing the documentation has been notoriously difficult for many Californians, with available appointments typically getting swept up quickly. But with the deadline approaching in eight months, appointments have become more readily available.

Residents appear to be taking advantage of the openings. Over the last six months, the DMV has seen an average of 231,000 California residents applying for a REAL ID per month, and the totals are creeping up each month:

• April: 211,442 applications
• May: 213,661 applications
• June: 208,206 applications
• July: 246,658 applications
• August: 239,464 applications
• September: 270,586 applications

More residents may be applying for their REAL ID in preparation for travel plans in the upcoming year, according to DMV officials

"Summer vacations are in the rearview mirror, but holiday travel plans are in the works. This time next year, a REAL ID will make your holiday trips easier if you travel by plane," said DMV Director Steve Gordon. "Whether flying for family gatherings or family avoidance, if you fly in the U.S., soon you are going to need to have a REAL ID if you want to use your license or ID card to board a plane. No need to wait."

During the pandemic, the deadline was moved to 2023 for the Golden State and the rest of the nation. Sweeping COVID-19 restrictions made it more cumbersome for residents to make trips to the California Department of Motor Vehicles since the agency was operating in person at a limited capacity.

Although the deadline is more than half a year away, Californians are urged to try and get their REAL ID ahead of time.

"The DMV has made getting a REAL ID easier and faster," DMV Director Steve Gordon said in an April statement. "Customers can fill out the online application, upload their documents, get verification and make an appointment when and where they want. Taking these steps significantly reduces the amount of time spent at the DMV and lets us serve more customers each day."

Getting a REAL ID isn't necessarily required, but the state is recommending it. U.S. passports will still be an acceptable form of federal identification to board any flight or visit a federal property. Those who are under 18 years old are not required to have this ID to fly.

View the DMV's fact sheet about the REAL ID here.

It's important to note that the new federally compliant ID card looks slightly different from a traditional California driver's license. This new card will have a little gold bear in the top right corner, while a traditional driver's license will be labeled "federal limits apply."

Any Californian who can prove their legal presence in the U.S. with one accepted identity document is eligible to apply for this card, officials said. DACA and Temporary Protected Status recipients are also eligible to apply if their documents are current, the DMV said. See the REAL ID checklist here.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.

Information about the REAL ID in Español can be found here.

Last year, the DMV warned Californians about phishing scams related to the REAL identification initiative.

The agency said in March that it learned of a text message phishing scam and reminded Californians that it will never ask for personal information related to a driver's license number, Social Security number or financial information through email, text or over the phone.

Several Californias reported that they received a message like this one: "Our records indicate that your contact information must be updated for REAL ID Compliance. Provide an Up-to-date Mailing Address and Phone Number." When customers click the continue button, the following message appears: "Action Needed: Due to an update on our new regulation complaint, every CaDMV customer must update their contact information. Update now at: [a fictitious link]."

This is not a text message from the DMV, officials urged.

"The DMV has not sent such a text, nor would we," Gordon said. "We offer secure online services and send text messages for some services, but never ask for personal information outside of a secure DMV account accessed by the customer."

Anyone who receives a message like this is advised to ignore or delete it. The message can be reported here: ftc.gov/complaint.

How to apply for the REAL ID in California

To apply for the new card, you'll need to gather a few documents and take a trip to the DMV.

1. First, gather any of the following identity documents:

• Valid U.S. passport.
• Birth certificate.
• U.S. certificate or consular report of birth abroad.
• Certificate of naturalization or citizenship.
• Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card.
• Unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C).
• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card or valid/expired Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797).
• Unexpired foreign passport stamped "Processed for I-551."
• Documents reflecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) benefit eligibility.

2. Then find proof of your Social Security number (full number required)

• Social Security card
• W-2 form
• SSA-1099 form
• Non-SSA-1099 form
• Pay stub

3. Gather two of these documents to prove California residency

• Home utility bills (including cellular phone).
• Medical documents.
• Car or boat registration.
• Employment documents.
• Insurance documents.
• Bank and financial institution records.
• Change of address confirmation by the U.S. Postal Service.
• Mortgage bill.
• Rental or lease agreement (signed by owner and tenant).
• IRS or California FTB tax return.

4. Make the application. Complete the application process online and upload your documents here.

5. Visit a DMV office. Find one close to you.

"Check wait times before you go and bring your application confirmation code," officials said. "Your confirmation code will work like an appointment."