What To Do If You Don't Have A Real ID As Enforcement Begins

NEW JERSEY — The deadline for New Jersey travelers to get a REAL ID has arrived and for those who were not able to secure the new way to fly domestically, options to prove who you are in order to take flights within the United States still remain.

There is a list of other accepted forms of identification for domestic travel, including a valid U.S. passport. Residents could also apply for a U.S. passport card, which provides proof of citizenship and identity.

Passport cards, which are wallet-sized, are not valid for international air travel — but they are accepted for flights within the United States. They are cheaper than a passport book ($65 for adults applying for the first time and $30 for renewals), and typically take four to six weeks to process. Those who want to get their passport cards quicker can pay an extra $60 for expedited processing, which would take two to three weeks. Mailing schedules are not included in processing times.
The State Department has step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a U.S. passport or passport card here. Note that these applications still require an in-person appointment: At a passport acceptance facility (such as a post office or local government office) if your trip is more than three weeks away, or at a passport agency (located in New York City or Philadelphia) if your trip is within three weeks.

Per the Transportation Security Administration, here is the full list of identifications that also be accepted come May 7:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

If you don't have an accepted form of ID when you go to fly, you may still be able to board. Per the Travel Security Administration: "The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening. You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose to not provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed."

What Is A REAL ID?

Beginning on Wednesday, May 7, residents over the age of 18 need a REAL ID or other specific forms of identification to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings. Those who don't have one of the accepted IDs will face delays, or potentially be refused to board their flight or enter the building.

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, following a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission. The date of enforcement changed several times over the past few years, most recently in late 2022, but this deadline has stuck.

Demand has been high for in-person appointments at the NJMVC since the new year, as residents need to go to one of the MVC license centers or mobile units to upgrade their driver's license/ state identification card to be REAL ID-compliant.

The MVC has issued more than 1.3 million REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs, and licensing centers will continue to issue REAL IDs on and after May 7.

If I still want to get a REAL ID, what should I know?

Federal agencies, including the TSA, will begin REAL ID enforcement on May 7. Agencies may choose to phase in enforcement, but TSA officials have been urging people to upgrade their licenses sooner rather than later "to facilitate a smooth transition."

If you are able to get a REAL ID appointment with the New Jersey MVC, you must bring the following: 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).

A REAL ID is $35, while a standard New Jersey license or ID is $24. The REAL ID is similar to a regular New Jersey identification card or driver's license, but has a small gold star in the upper right hand corner. Licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will

Again, only those over the age of 18 need a REAL ID — and you wouldn't need one if you don't plan to fly within the U.S. any time soon, or enter secure federal facilities and nuclear power plants. The standard New Jersey driver license can still be used for driving and as identification when you go to vote.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission on Friday said it will launch "REAL ID Tuesdays." Beginning May 20, approximately 5,200 additional REAL ID appointments will be added at NJMVC Licensing Centers. This will continue every other Tuesday going forward, officials said.

“As we quickly approach the federal deadline for REAL ID, I am proud to announce the addition of... another tool we are using to expand access to REAL ID appointments,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. “We have offered eligible residents the opportunity to upgrade to a REAL ID for five years, but as we enter the home stretch before the federal deadline, we will continue doing everything we can to expand appointments.”