FL ID Numbers To Change Due To New State Law: What To Know

FLORIDA — Residents in the Sunshine State will soon be required to change their driver's license numbers to comply with a new state law set to take effect on July 31.

Licenses and identification cards will incorporate four randomly chosen numbers after a 2023 Florida statute was amended, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

State authorities said the change will help to protect people's identities and improve security.

The format of a person's license or identification card will remain the same, authorities said.

First-time applicants will receive licenses and ID cards that meet the new requirements. Additionally, anyone renewing or replacing their cards in-person or online will be issued a new number, authorities said.

New numbers will also be issued if a person's last name changes, authorities said.

"Any new credential, printed report or receipt will display the newly generated driver license or identification number," authorities said in a news release.

Online users can renew their IDs via MyDMV.

RELATED: REAL ID Deadline Is On The Horizon: What You Need To Know In FL

Residents must renew in a driver's license office if they meet one of the following:

• If a customer used the online convenience service on their last renewal.
• If a customer is not REAL ID compliant.
• If a customer wishes to update their photo.
• If the customer changes their name using an original or certified court order or marriage certificate.
• If a customer wishes to add or remove a designation or has a court order to update their credential.
• If a customer is getting a Florida driver license or ID card for the first time.
• If the customer holds a commercial driver license.
• If the license has the word "TEMPORARY" printed on it.

Floridians applying for a driver's license or ID card must submit documents to receive their ID, which will comply with REAL ID regulations.

Homeland Security officials set May 7, 2025, as the final date to receive REAL IDs.

Here's what residents should bring if they are a U.S. citizen:

• Primary identification: a U.S. birth certificate, including some U.S. territories and District of Columbia (birth certificates from Puerto Rico must have an issue date after July 1, 2010), a valid U.S. passport or passport card, consular report of birth abroad, a certificate of naturalization, form N-550 or form N-570 or a certificate of citizenship, form N-560 or form N-561.
• Proof of social security: a Social Security card (with the customer’s current name), aW-2 form (not handwritten), a pay check/stub, a SSA-1099 or any 1099 (not handwritten).
• Proof of residence: a deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, mortgage payment booklet or residential rental/lease agreement; a Florida voter registration card; a Florida vehicle registration or title (print a duplicate registration at MyDMV Portal); an utility bill; an automobile payment booklet; a selective service card; a medical or health card with address listed; a current homeowner insurance policy or bill; a current automobile insurance policy or bill; an educational institution transcript forms for the current school year; an unexpired professional license issued by a government agency in the U.S.; a W-2 form or 1099 form; form DS2019, certificate of eligibility for exchange visitor (J-1) status; a letter from a homeless shelter, transitional service provider or a half-way house verifying they receive mail for the customer; mail from financial institutions including checking, savings or investment account statements; mail from federal, state, county or city government agencies or a Florida Department of Law Enforcement registration form completed by local sheriff’s department