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

NEW JERSEY — Less than seven months remain before Garden State residents 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 New Jersey driver’s license because it has a gold 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.

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. The REAL ID is $35, while a standard New Jersey license or ID is $24.

"Ensure your license or basic ID is upgraded by May 7, 2025, if typically used for domestic air travel," the state Motor Vehicle Commission noted.

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

REAL ID cards are issued at driver’s licensing stations in New Jersey. You must bring two proofs of residential address, one proof of Social Security Number and six points of ID (a U.S. Passport or birth certificate counts for four points; one-point forms of ID include a high school diploma, social security card, bank/credit union statement, debit card, property tax statement and more).

New Jersey has an online document checklist where you can pick the documents to fulfill both the residential address requirements and the six-point ID requirements. And, click here to find an appointment through the MVC.

And, if you happen lose your REAL ID, you may apply for a duplicate online.

What If I Don't Get A REAL ID?

New Jersey residents 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 close to 30,000 REAL ID appointments available online as of Sept. 9, according to the MVC. If you want to wait until the new year, know you could find longer lines and more competition in licensing centers that require appointments.