MINNEAPOLIS — Over the past few years, there has been a lot of talk about the REAL ID. If you've been to the DVS they might have asked if you wanted one, or even an enhanced ID. But what do these mean, and are they necessary to have?
If you plan to catch a domestic flight on or after May 7, 2025, you will be required to use a REAL ID. A little gold star in the upper right hand corner is one of the easiest ways to know you're holding a REAL ID.
The REAL ID Act dates back to 2005, with the original deadline being 2016. That deadline has been pushed back multiple times, including in 2020 when the Department of Homeland Security said pandemic-related backlogs slowed state progress in issuing REAL IDs, VERIFY reported.
The requirement for REAL IDs to fly came from a 9/11 Commission recommendation. The goal is to have minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, the Department of Homeland Security said.
You do not need a REAL ID to drive or vote. You also do not need the ID to apply for federal benefits, access health care, or take part in "law enforcement proceedings or investigations."
You just need the REAL ID for federal purposes, namely flying. You also need one if you plan to enter a military base or nuclear facility.
But the REAL ID is not the only new identification card you can get. There is also the enhanced ID — one step above REAL.
The Minnesota Department of Driver and Vehicle Services describes the enhanced ID as "REAL ID compliant and offers the additional benefit of travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada and some Caribbean countries." So, think road trips or cruises instead of just domestic flights.
The REAL ID and enhanced ID are only issued to U.S. citizens in Minnesota, according to the DVS.
To get a REAL ID, you'll need one document proving your identity, such as a passport or birth certificate. You will also need to know your Social Security number and have two documents proving your current Minnesota residency. You can find more details on what you need to bring to the DVS here.
To get an enhanced ID, you need to have a document proving your date of birth, full legal name, Social Security number, photographic identity, U.S. citizenship and two documents proving you're a resident of Minnesota. More details on what you need to get an enhanced ID can be found here.
Again, the REAL and enhanced IDs are not required if you simply plan to use your ID to drive, prove your age and vote.
