REAL ID Deadline Down To 7 Months: 5 Things To Know In MD

MARYLAND — Less than seven months remain before Marylanders will need to show a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to fly within the United States unless they have other approved identification.

The deadline to get a REAL ID is May 7, 2025. After that date, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, will no longer accept identification that does not meet the new standards.

How Do I Know If I Have A REAL ID?

A REAL ID is distinguishable from a regular Maryland license because it has a black circle in the upper right corner, with a white star in the middle of the circle. That indicates that a person’s citizenship and legal residence status have been verified.

There is a catch, however.

"Marylanders who received a new license or ID card with the 'star' symbol – but did not file required documents – need to bring those documents to the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) to complete the process," MDOT MVA said on a frequently asked questions page.

The only surefire way to know if you have a Real ID is to enter your driver's license number into this state-operated lookup tool.

When Would I Need To Show A Real ID?

The REAL ID Act of 2005 was passed by Congress in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition to the stars, REAL ID cards are built with technology that makes them more difficult to forge, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

A REAL ID-compliant driver's license, or other documentation, will be needed to board domestic flights, enter nuclear power plants, or access certain federal buildings.

Where Can I Get A REAL ID, And What Do I Need?

Some individual states have specific requirements to get a REAL ID card. Marylanders must show proof of age and identity via:

• A birth or adoption certificate; or a valid passport or one that expired in the past five years; a valid permanent resident card (any one of these is needed)
• Proof of Social Security with a Social Security card, a W-2 form, an SSA form or a pay stub issued in the past three months (any one of these is needed)
• Two documents proving a current Maryland address with a matching name, such as a bank statement, a utility bill or a mortgage statement.

To get a REAL ID in Maryland, residents must bring their documents in person to a Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration branch. Appointments at an MVA branch can be made online by clicking "Collect my Real ID documents" at this link.

"If you already have the new REAL ID driver's license or identification card with the star and only need to submit documents, you will not have to pay," the MDOT MVA website said. "If you have the older style Maryland driver’s license or identification card you will pay a $20 fee for a duplicate driver’s license. There are no additional fees when renewing your driver’s license to obtain a REAL ID, just the standard renewal cost."

What If I Don't Get A REAL ID?

Marylanders without a REAL ID will need a valid passport or other federally accepted document, such as a Global Entry Card, to board domestic flights or enter nuclear power plants and certain federal buildings. (The Transportation Safety Administration has a list of federally accepted documents online.)

Those who don’t plan to fly domestically or visit a federal office don’t need to do anything. A REAL ID is not required to get a driver's license. Also, the TSA won’t require children under 18 to provide identification when they’re traveling with an adult companion within the United States, but the companion must have acceptable identification.

The REAL ID is not a substitute for a passport required for international travel, and it also does not affect the ability to vote or register to vote, applications for federal benefits, enter federal facilities that don’t require identification, obtain medical care, or participate in police proceedings or investigations.

Should I Just Wait Until 2025?

There are plenty of MVA appointments available now. They may fill up quickly as the deadline nears.

This MDOT MVA webpage has all the state's information on Real ID requirements and processes.