What To Know About Getting REAL ID In Florida As Deadline Looms

FLORIDA — Florida travelers now have just over two weeks until the deadline to get a REAL ID.

Starting on May 7, residents will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings, if they don't have a passport or other approved form of identification.

Many in the state have already obtained a REAL ID. As of the end of 2022, the state had a 98 percent REAL ID-compliance rate, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The REAL ID Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005 to fight terrorism and reduce identity fraud.

It became effective nationwide on May 11, 2008. Florida began issuing REAL ID-compliant credentials after January 1, 2010, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website.

The new credentials have a star in the upper right corner of the card.

To become REAL ID compliant for the first time in Florida, residents must go in person to a state-approved office. Visit the FLHSMV website to find a location.

A Class E driver’s license can be renewed up to 18 months prior to the card’s expiration date.
To apply for a REAL ID compliant license or ID card, U.S. residents must bring one of the following primary documents with them to establish identity and show proof of residence and date of birth:

• Valid, unexpired U.S. passport
• Original or certified copy of a birth certificate
• Consular report of birth abroad
• Certificate of naturalization issued by the Department of Homeland Security
• Certificate of citizenship

In cases where the current name and the name on the primary identity document are different, residents should also bring:

• Court-ordered name-change document
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree

Non-citizens should bring with them:

• Valid, unexpired permanent resident card
• Valid passport for non-immigrants, except for asylum applicants and refugees
• Other government-issued document showing the full name
• DHS document showing proof of lawful presence

If a non-citizen’s name has changed by divorce or marriage, they should have their name changed on their Citizen and Immigration Services documents, FLHSMV said.

Both citizens and non-citizens will also need their social security card or proof of social security number, and two documents that show their principal residence.