Start Planning
To Get Your California Real ID
It may seem like an odd choice of topic
for a disability blog, but I wanted to tell you abut California’s REAL ID card
that you will need to take a domestic flight or enter a Federal building after
October 1, 2020. While this change is still a couple years off, the process is
more time consuming than a normal driver’s license renewal, so I thought it was
worth talking about. Additionally, if you do not replace your current driver’s
license with a real ID by October 1, 2020, you will be barred from all domestic
flights or from entering a Federal building or Social Security office unless
you have an alternative form of identification, like a valid passport. Thus,
when it comes time to renew your driver’s license, OR if your current driver’s
license expires before the October 1, 2020 deadline, you will want to make plans
to obtain a Real ID.
Important Facts
to Know About the Real ID
·
The Department of Motor (“DMV”) vehicles
has started issuing Real IDs as of January 22, 2018.
·
You cannot renew your driver’s license
by mail or online to get a Real ID. The DMV is still allowing online and
main-in renewals, but only for non-Federally compliant identification cards
which will come with prohibitive restrictions on travel and entering Federal buildings.
·
The DMV is extremely backlogged (though
not as bad as what we are seeing with SSA 😊). When I scheduled my license renewal to secure a Real ID, the first
available appointment was 7 weeks in the future.
·
In order to obtain a real ID, you must
bring in an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, US passport, permanent
resident card, or other original proof of identity.
·
You also must bring in proof of your Social Security Number with certified proof such as a SSN card, W-2, or paystub with full SSN. Original or certified copies are required.
· You need a California residency document such as a utility bill, rental agreement, mortgage bill, or medical document that has your name and address on it. Make sure your name is spelled correctly on it.
·
If your identity document is in a different name, you will need to provide a certified name change document such as a marriage license, divorce decree or court document. No photocopies will be accepted.
The
Read ID is meant to provide more security for our citizens, but obtaining said
ID takes some planning and patience. Make sure you make an appointment to get a
Real ID, rather than do a walk-in appointment. The local DMV offices are so
backlogged right now, that walk-ins can end of wasting most of the day sitting
in long DMV lines. For more information on the real ID process, please visit, https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/realid/realidfaq
