REAL ID Deadline In PA: 10 Questions Answered

The REAL ID deadline is fast approaching for Pennsylvania residents.

Starting Oct. 1, driver's licenses and state IDs that are not REAL ID compliant will not be accepted as identification by federal authorities. That means REAL IDs will be needed to board domestic flights and get access to federal facilities, unless you use a passport instead.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Pennsylvania received several extensions to implement the requirements.

REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and photo ID cards have been available at the customer's option since March 2019. Still, many residents continue to have questions about the REAL ID requirements.

Here are 10 common REAL ID questions answered:

Do I have to get a REAL ID?

No. REAL IDs are optional. If you have a passport, you can use that form of identification to board flights and obtain entry into federal facilities. REAL IDs are not required to drive in Pennsylvania.

Do I need a REAL ID to vote?

No. You do not need a REAL ID to vote.

How and where do I get a REAL ID?

There are three ways to get a REAL ID. If you've been pre-verified, you can order your REAL ID online and receive it in the mail. You can also visit one of PennDOT's 63 Driver's License Centers, have your documents verified and pay the one-time fee. Your REAL ID will be mailed to you.

If you want to receive your REAL ID over the counter, you can visit one of the 12 REAL ID Centers to have documents verified on site and receive it the same day.

What documents do I need?

Required documentation includes identification (original or certified copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal or valid U.S. passport), a Social Security card, proof of legal name changes, and two proofs of address. For specific information about the documents you'll need to apply for pre-verification, click here to go to the REAL ID Document Check page.

How long does it take?

If you order your REAL ID online or at a PennDOT Driver's License Center, you will receive it in the mail within 15 business days. However, first ensure you have all required documentation available. If you need to obtain additional copies of a birth certificate, you'll have to wait until you receive those items to apply for your REAL ID.

How much does it cost?

A REAL ID has a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee.

How often does it expire?

The initial REAL ID will include any time remaining on the current license or ID card, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. The current renewal fee is $30.50 for a four-year, non-commercial driver's license, and $31.50 for a photo ID.

What does a REAL ID look like?

The visible difference between a REAL ID-compliant product and a standard-issue ID is that a REAL ID is marked with a gold star. You can see examples of what it looks like here.

Can minors get a REAL ID?

Yes, REAL ID-compliant versions are available for minors. The documents required to get an initial learner’s permit, driver’s license or photo ID card (birth certificate or passport, Social Security card and two proofs of residency) are the same documents that are required to opt into REAL ID.

Does my child need a REAL ID to board an airplane?

The TSA does not currently require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States.

Have more questions? Find the answers here.