Still Need REAL ID? A Guide For Pennsylvania Residents

The terminal at Philadelphia International Airport earlier this year.
Credit: PA Internet News Service

Many Pennsylvanians do not yet have a REAL ID, the security-upgraded identification card now required for air travel and entry into federal facilities.

While the federal law took effect on May 7, people without a REAL ID still have options to ensure they can board flights and access certain federal buildings.

If you do not have a REAL ID, you will need another federally accepted form of identification, such as a passport or military ID, to board domestic flights and enter some federal facilities.

How to get a REAL ID in Pennsylvania:

The process for obtaining a REAL ID in Pennsylvania varies depending on your situation:

• Pre-verified and ordering online: If PennDOT, has already verified your documents, you can order your REAL ID online. There is a one-time $30 REAL ID fee, plus your standard renewal fee.

• Renewing your driver’s license: You can request a REAL ID when renewing your driver’s license. This also incurs the $30 REAL ID fee and your standard renewal fee. If you have not been pre-verified, you must visit a Driver License Center in person to have your documents vetted, imaged and verified.

• Applying now (separate from renewal): You do not need to wait for your license renewal to get a REAL ID. You will pay the $30 REAL ID fee plus your standard renewal fee. Your new REAL ID will include the remaining time on your current license plus an additional four years, extending your expiration date accordingly.

• Non-U.S. citizens: Additional documentation may be required based on immigration status.

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders: CDL holders must apply in person at a PennDOT Driver License Center.

What you need to apply:

To obtain a REAL ID, you must provide the following:

• One document proving identity and lawful status.

• One document proving your Social Security number.

• Two documents proving your Pennsylvania residency.

Some applicants, including non-U.S. citizens, CDL holders, and those updating their name or date of birth, may need additional documents. A full list of acceptable documents is available through PennDOT.

These sample driver’s licenses show the differences between a REAL ID Pennsylvania license and a regular license. Credit: PennDOT

Where to apply:

You have two main options for in-person applications:

• Same-Day REAL ID Centers: These centers allow you to receive your REAL ID the same day you apply.

• Other Driver License Centers: You can also apply in person at any other Driver License Center. PennDOT will verify your documents, and your REAL ID will be mailed to you within 15 business days.

What a REAL ID looks like:

A REAL ID is similar to a standard driver’s license or identification card, but it features a gold star in the top right corner.

The federal REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 after a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission. The commission’s report, which was issued in 2004, highlighted that many of the 9/11 hijackers had obtained multiple state-issued identification documents, sometimes fraudulently, which aided them leading up to the attacks. To prevent similar vulnerabilities, the commission recommended that the federal government establish standards for the issuance of identification sources like driver’s licenses.

The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards.

While the law was passed in 2005, its full enforcement was delayed multiple times to allow states to come into compliance.

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