California’s REAL ID deadline is now under a year away, here’s what you need to know
(FOX40.COM) — Californians have less than a year to get a REAL ID to fly domestically.
The REAL ID will be required to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities such as military bases, federal courthouses and other secured facilities after the May 7, 2025 deadline.
It was the third deadline extension by the Department of Homeland Security with travelers previously facing a May 3, 2023 deadline.
The extension to 2025 was due to backlogs created by the COVID-19 pandemic, which state’s driver’s licensing agencies are still working through, the Department of Homeland Security said in 2022 press release.
Federal identification requirements were originally set to take in effect in 2008 after President George Bush signed the Real ID Act into law in 2005.
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What does a California REAL ID look like?
A California-issued REAL ID driver’s license or identification card will be marked with a golden bear and star on the top right corner, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
If a driver’s license or ID says “Federal Limits Apply” on the top right corner, it is not a REAL ID, and Californians won’t be able to board a U.S. domestic flight and enter a federal facility after the 2025 deadline.
A federally-approved identification such as a passport and military ID will be allowed at TSA checkpoints nationwide.
The non-REAL ID may be used as photo identification, but not as evidence of a legal presence in the U.S. and additional documentation may be required, the DMV said.
Anyone under the age of 18 won’t be required to provide their ID when traveling with a companion within the U.S. However, their companion will need a REAL ID, passport, or a DHS Traveler Card.
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What is the application process for a California REAL ID
To obtain a REAL ID, the DMV said Californians can complete their application online.
Before beginning the application, Californians should be prepared to:
•Create a login for a DMV online account if one wasn’t made previously
•Have a social security number handy in addition to basic information such as name, address, and date of birth
•Average time to complete the application is nine minutes, but the app will time out after 15 minutes due to privacy and security purposes. The application could be finished later if logged off.
•Visit a field officer to finish the rest of the driver’s license/ID card application process
Required documents could be uploaded online, but must be brought to a local DMV office to complete the application process. Files could be uploaded as a file from a computer or as a photo from a phone.
According to a video from the DMV, the documents that could be uploaded include:
•Proof of identity document: Valid passport or certified birth certificate
•Two residency documents: Cell phone, utility bills, mortgage and bank statements
•Social security number
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