Do you have a California Real ID yet? What you need to apply ahead of deadline

Hannah Poukish, The Sacramento Bee on Apr 4, 2025

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Do you have your California Real ID yet?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will soon require people to have a federally approved document — such as a passport or a Real ID driver’s license — on hand for domestic plane travel.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles recommends applying for a Real ID ahead of the May deadline in order to avoid potential issues.

“Waiting until the last minute could lead to unnecessary delays,” the agency said in a January news release.

Here’s what you need to know about obtaining a California Real ID:

Why do I need a California Real ID?

Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005 in an effort to strengthen national security in the United States.

The law was shaped around the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to create federal standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

“Secure driver’s licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework,” the federal agency said on its website.

The Real ID Act was originally set to go into effect in 2008.

However, a variety of delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and DMV backlogs delayed the deadline for more than a decade.

When does Real ID requirement start?

California’s Real ID requirement will be enforced starting on Wednesday, May 7.

You’ll need the special state-issued identification card to board domestic airplane flights as well as access federal facilities and nuclear power plants, the Department of Homeland Security said on its website.

The law applies to everyone ages 18 years or older, DHS said.

How do I apply for a Real ID?

Applicants need to complete these steps to get a California Real ID from the DMV, according to the agency’s website:

▪ Submit a document that confirms your identity, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate. Your current full name must match the name listed on the identity document.

▪ Provide two printed documents that prove your residence within the state. For example, you can use a utility bill, insurance documents, phone bill or bank statement to confirm your mailing address.

▪ Complete the online Real ID application, a process that typically takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll need your name, address, birth date and Social Security number.

▪ To complete the process, visit a California DMV office. Bring your documents establishing your identity and residence, plus your Real ID application code, and pay a $35 fee.

To avoid long lines, you can reserve an appointment online ahead of time.

Most DMV offices are open Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Offices are closed on weekends and holidays.

According to the DMV, in-person appointments should only take around 15 minutes.

When is the deadline to apply for a Real ID?

Californians have until Wednesday, May 7, to get their Real IDs ahead of the deadline.

“Secure a Real ID for hassle-free travel,” the DMV said.

More than 18.6 million Californians had Real IDs as of Feb. 1, according to the most recent data released by the DMV.

This number represents an increase of 169,116 cardholders from the previous month and 1.6 million more than in February 2024.

How can I tell if I have a Real ID? What does it look like?

You can check if you have a California Real ID by looking at the top right corner of your California driver’s license.

If it’s a Real ID, there will be a golden bear with a white star imprinted on its backside.

“The presence of this image will indicate that the credential is Real ID-compliant,” the U.S. Transportation Security Administration said in a February news release.

Do I have to get a California Real ID?

Getting a California Real ID driver’s license or identification card is “optional,” according to the DMV’s website.

You only need a Real ID if you plan on using your driver’s license or identification card to board domestic flights within the United States or to enter secure federal facilities after May 7.

“If you want to continue to use a U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, military ID, enhanced driver’s license, or other federally accepted identification to do those things, you do not need to get a Real ID,” the DMV said.

Due to high demand ahead of the May deadline, the DMV recommends that California residents with passports hold off on applying for a REAL ID for now.

“If you have plans to travel after May 7, upgrade to a REAL ID before the enforcement deadline,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a February news release.

“However, if you already have a federally approved document such as a passport, you can wait to upgrade to a REAL ID when your ID or driver’s license is due for renewal,” he said.

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