Buy a Real Driving License
If your driver's license already features an asterisk in the upper-right corner, you are already REAL ID-compliant. There is no need to do anything else.
If you are in need of an actual ID You will need to visit the DMV office and present several proofs of identity and residency. Find out more about the requirements here.
What is a real ID?
Real ID is a heightened security driver's licence or state identification card that is compliant with federal standards. The Real ID Act, passed in 2005 following the September 11 attacks on the United States, requires that states meet certain standards for issuance or renewal of driver's licenses and identification card. The purpose of the law is to create a more secure and reliable form of identification that can be used by air travelers, law enforcement, and also to gain access to secure government facilities.
If your standard New York State driver's licence or ID card doesn't have a star on the upper-right corner, it's not REALID compliant. www.fuehrerscheinn.com will need to upgrade if you want one. Click here to find out whether your ID card is REAL ID-compliant.

The process for obtaining the Real ID in New York is fairly straightforward. The first step is to visit the Secretary of State Driver Services facility in person to complete your application and required documents. You'll need to submit proof of your identity as well as your date of birth, U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency as well as an ID with a valid photo as well as two other proofs of residence and a fee of $28 (see the Fee Chart). You can find your nearest Secretary of State Driver Services location by using our Facility Finder.
After you have submitted all of the required documents and paid your fees The Secretary of State will verify your identity and conduct an identity check. If you are approved and the Secretary of State will mail your new standard DL or ID to you via mail. If you are approved for an REAL ID and it is approved, it will be noted as the same on your document.
It is important to remember that if you are planning to travel internationally, you'll need to have an official passport, not a Real ID. You'll need a passport to travel internationally, as it is a more trustworthy source of identification. You'll require an ID card (passport) or REAL ID to travel on commercial flights in the United States.
How do I get a Real Identification?
The New York DMV is providing a number of online tools that can help applicants to navigate the process of applying for an Real ID. One of the tools, a customized document check list, allows applicants to check on the status of their application as well as determine which documents they should bring to their local DMV. A Youtube video can help people avoid the common mistakes that people make when applying for a Real ID.
The Real ID Act requires states to comply with federal security standards for their standard driver's licenses and identification cards. Those that do not comply with the law will be branded as such and will not be able to use them for federal purposes, such as boarding domestic flights or entering federal buildings. The DMV provides a variety of options for individuals to obtain a real ID. This includes online or over the phone or in-person.
A Real ID is a federally-compliant DMV-issued driver's licence, permit or non-driver ID card. It is required for travel in the United States and to enter certain federal structures beginning in May 2025, unless you have a valid passport. You can identify the Real ID by looking for a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of your card. Non-compliant cards are not able to display a gold star.
If you are unable to meet all the requirements for the Real ID, you can still get an enhanced driver's licence or enhanced photo ID that is compliant with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. These documents are able to be used to travel on either by sea or land into Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries, but they can't be used to fly between these destinations.
To obtain an Real ID or an enhanced document, individuals will have to visit an DMV office in person. They will also need to present a valid photo ID and proof of US citizenship and proof of state residency. The documents required will vary according to the circumstances but usually will include one document for each category. For instance, proof of US citizenship can be a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, and evidence of residency in the US could be an utility bill, bank statement, or pay stubs with their address and name on it.
What do I have to bring to DMV in order to obtain a real ID?
The specific documents you will need to bring with you to the DMV will differ depending on your situation. However there are some important things you must keep in mind to bring. First, be sure to bring two forms of documentation that can prove your identity. You can present a valid passport, driver's license or birth certificate. Bring a document that shows that you are a resident of New York. This could be a utility bill or bank statement (the document must indicate your current address - P.O. boxes or "in care of" addresses are not accepted).
Be sure to take a picture that meets the specifications. The exact requirements for a photo will vary depending on the circumstances however, the majority of people have to take a face-to-face photograph that is clear and shows your face.
Once you have the necessary documents you can apply at the DMV for your Real ID. You will need to apply in person, and you'll need to go to an DMV office or one of their partner offices, such as DMV Express. You can find a list of DMV locations and hours of operation on the DMV website.
When you visit the DMV, be sure to make a reservation. This will prevent you from long wait times.
The cost of a Real ID card in New York will depend on your specific situation. You will have to pay the application fee, the photo and the card. The cost will differ depending on whether you are applying for the first time a driver's license, renewing an license, or changing an old New York State license or ID to a Real ID.
You will also have to show proof of your Social Security number. If you are applying for an Real ID driver's license or an Enhanced ID, the DMV will need to verify your name and date of birth with the Social Security Administration. If the name on your proof of identity or lawful status Social Security is not the same as the name that appears on your New York State driver's license or ID, you will need to bring in courtor government-issued proof of the circumstances that led to the name change.
How long will it normally take to get an Real ID card?
Prior to recently renewing your license was only a letter from the mail advising you it was time to renew. If you want to fly, or enter certain federal buildings or military bases, now you need a REALID or enhanced driver's license. It's not too late for you to obtain an ID that is REAL.
The REAL ID Act requires states to comply with certain security standards for their licenses, permits, and identification cards. The government says the new rules will make it more difficult for criminals to create counterfeit or altered versions of these documents. Federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration, will require an actual ID or an enhanced photo ID to board domestic flights or to enter certain federal facilities, such as bases for military personnel.
To meet the federal requirements, you'll need to bring specific proofs of your identity to DMV when you apply for a Real or an Enhanced document. The Department of Motor Vehicles website has an online document guideline that will guide you through the information you need to bring with you when you go to the office to fill in your application.
You can utilize a utility bill bank statement, pay stub with your current address, or print online documentation (documents with P.O. These could include an utility bill, a bank statement, pay stub with your current address or printed online documentation (documents that have P.O. Boxes are not acceptable).
You'll require passport or an official immigration document, based on your age. If you're a Veteran, you can put a special designation on your ID or license that indicates you served in the U.S. Military, which could allow you to get discounts on airline tickets and help with finding a place to live.
If you're already a Real ID holder, you may not need to do anything else in regards to renewing. If you want an enhanced or REAL photo ID, you can use the DMV's online calculator for how much it will cost and what documents you'll require. There are websites that claim to pre-scan and upload your documents from home, but these sites are not affiliated with the DMV. Do not send images of your personal documents to these websites because they could be used for fraudulent purposes.