REAL ID deadline is approaching — how to get yours in Pennsylvania

After years of delays, the May 7 deadline for REAL ID enforcement is fast approaching. The requirement has been on the books for years, but after multiple postponements due to state compliance issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, enforcement is finally happening.

That means if you want to use your Pennsylvania driver’s license to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings, you will need to upgrade to a REAL ID before the deadline. However, if you already have a valid U.S. passport, a military ID, or another TSA-approved federal ID, you do not need a REAL ID — those forms of identification will still be accepted for both air travel and entry into federal facilities that require identification.

To help Pennsylvanians prepare, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is rolling out REAL ID Days — special Mondays at select driver’s license centers dedicated exclusively to processing REAL ID applications. Here’s what you need to know to get yours before the deadline.

REAL ID is a federal identification standard that was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to enhance security measures. Beginning May 7, you will need a REAL ID (or another form of federally accepted identification, like a passport or military ID) to:

✅ Board domestic flights.

✅ Enter federal buildings that require ID.

✅ Access military bases.

You will not need a REAL ID to:

❌ Drive.

❌ Vote.

❌ Access a hospital or post office.

❌ Apply for federal benefits like Social Security.

If you do not have a REAL ID, you will need a valid U.S. passport or military ID.

To make it easier for residents to obtain their REAL ID before the deadline, PennDot has designated REAL ID Days at the following locations:

📍 Arch Street Driver License Center — 801 Arch St., Philadelphia.

📍 South 70th Street Driver License Center — 2904 S. 70th St., Unit 8, Philadelphia (same-day REAL ID processing available).

📍 Whitman Plaza Driver License Center — 330 W. Oregon Ave., Philadelphia.

📍 King of Prussia Driver License Center — 143 S. Gulph Rd., King of Prussia (same-day REAL ID processing available).

📍 Norristown Driver License Center — 1700 Markley St., Suite 30, Norristown (same-day REAL ID processing available).

📍 South 70th Street Driver License Center — 2904 S. 70th St., Unit 8, Philadelphia (same-day REAL ID processing available).

If you visit a location offering same-day REAL ID processing, you will walk out with your new ID immediately. At other locations, your REAL ID will be mailed to you within 15 business days after your documents are verified.

To get a REAL ID, you must provide the following original documents (no copies accepted):

📌 One document that proves identity and citizenship:

📌 Two documents that prove residency:

📌 Your Social Security Number:

You must provide your original Social Security card. The name on your Social Security card must match the name on your proof-of-identity document. If you do not have a Social Security card or need a replacement, visit ssa.gov/ssnumber to request a new one.

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or another legal reason, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

You can check if your documents meet PennDot’s REAL ID requirements by using the REAL ID Document Check tool on PennDot’s website.

There are two ways to obtain a REAL ID:

1️⃣ In person at a PennDot center — Visit any REAL ID center or a participating driver’s license center with your required documents. Some locations offer same-day issuance.

2️⃣ Online (if you have pre-verified documents) — If you have previously submitted your required documents to PennDot, you may be eligible to order your REAL ID online and have it mailed to you.

A REAL ID in Pennsylvania costs $30, plus the standard renewal fee for your license or state ID.

Jana Tidwell, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, urges Pennsylvanians not to put off getting their REAL ID.

“Pennsylvania residents who plan to travel domestically by plane should take advantage of the opportunity to get their REAL ID identification sooner rather than later to avoid potential last-minute scrambling when planning air travel,” Tidwell said.

For more details on REAL ID and the application process, visit PennDot’s REAL ID website.