The deadline to get a REAL ID was May 7, but what happens if you didn’t get one?
If you want to fly within the U.S., or enter certain federal facilities, you now need to have a REAL ID seal on your state-issued identification card or driver’s license. However, there are alternatives if you were unable to get the REAL ID by May 7.
If you missed the deadline, here’s what to know.
What is REAL ID?
The REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005, “established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
What happens if you don’t have a REAL ID seal after May 7, 2025?
You won’t be able to fly domestically or access certain federal facilities without a REAL ID seal, passport, Enhanced license or other TSA-approved form of identification.
Can you still apply for a REAL ID after May 7 in New York?
Yes, you can still apply for a REAL ID at your local DMV after May 7. It typically takes about two weeks to receive your new REAL ID document in the mail, so if you plan on flying domestically before you get one, you will need to provide another TSA-approved form of identification.
Here are other TSA-approved alternatives:
Do you need a REAL ID seal if you have a passport?
No, you don’t. Travelers with an up-to-date passport or any other TSA-approved form of identification do not need a REAL ID to travel domestically, but you will need to bring your passport with you to every flight.
Do you need a REAL ID seal if you have an Enhanced license?
No, you don’t. In New York, an Enhanced license, permit or non-driver ID is also acceptable. And unlike a REAL ID, an Enhanced license can be used to cross the U.S. border by land or sea into Canada, Mexico and some Caribbean countries.
How to apply for a REAL ID seal in NY
You will need to visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles to submit all of your necessary documentation. After applying, it will take about two weeks to receive your new REAL ID document in the mail.
Here is where to apply for a REAL ID in Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Tioga counties, according to the state DMV website. Check your office’s hours ahead of time as they may have restricted periods when REAL ID transactions are conducted.
DMVs in Broome County
DMVs in Delaware County
DMVs in Chenango County
DMVs in Tioga County
What documents are needed to apply for a REAL ID seal in NY?
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has a guide online you can fill out to find which specific documents you will need to bring with you, which can be found by visiting dmv.ny.gov.
At minimum, you will need your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two proofs of address at your principal residence and lawful status.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: What happens if you miss the REAL ID deadline in NY? What to know
Reporting by Sunshyne Lynch and Emily Barnes, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
