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You May Not Need a REAL ID, but Pennsylvania Suggests You Get One. Here’s Why, How, Where, and What It Will Cost
A United Airlines flight prepares to land at Liberty International Airport in Newark NJ

You May Not Need a REAL ID, but Pennsylvania Suggests You Get One. Here’s Why, How, Where, and What It Costs

HARRISBURG PA – Maybe 2025 is the year in which you hope to avoid missing airline flights, bypass terminal delays, easily get through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checks, and breeze down a boarding ramp to your plane seat. If so, remember two words: “REAL ID.”

You May Not Need a REAL ID, but Pennsylvania Suggests You Get One. Here’s Why, How, Where, and What It Will Cost

The federal government, starting May 7 (2025; Wednesday), will require all domestic commercial airline passengers to possess and show “acceptable identification” to prove they’re who they claim to be. REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, a federal photo ID card, a valid passport, or military identification all are considered acceptable.

You may also need it to enter some federal buildings that require it, or to enter a military base, the TSA says.

REAL ID represents a coordinated federal effort “to improve the reliability and accuracy of driver licenses and identification cards,” the TSA adds. “The improvements are intended to inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) suggests a REAL ID license may be the easiest to obtain and use. To date, the department says it has issued more than 2.3 million qualifying identifications. It also warns the May 7 deadline – only 100 days away, as of Sunday (Jan. 26) – is closer than it seems.

The enforcement deadline “is quickly approaching,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll says. Although the federal identification is optional in Pennsylvania, “if you think you’ll need one, especially if you plan on flying, we recommend you start the process” as soon as possible, he urges.

What You’ll Need to Apply for REAL ID

You May Not Need a REAL ID, but Pennsylvania Suggests You Get One. Here’s Why, How, Where, and What It Will Cost
That star in the gold circle on this sample Pennsylvania driver’s license signals it is REAL ID compliant

Pennsylvanians can obtain REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identity cards by presenting documents for verification and processing at any PennDOT driver license center. Federal regulations require that, to be issued a compliant ID, applicants must provide and PennDOT must verify these documents:

  • A Proof of Identity. Examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the state Office of Vital Records and Statistics with a raised or embossed seal; or a valid and unexpired U.S. passport;
  • Proof of A Social Security Number. Submitted proof must display the applicant’s currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security number. Examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, an SSA-1099 form, or a non-SSA-1099 form or a pay stub;
  • Two Proofs of A Current Physical Pennsylvania Address. Examples include a current unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address; and
  • Proof of all Legal Name Changes, if the applicant’s current legal name is different than that reflected on a proof of identity document (above). Examples include a certified marriage certificate(s), issued by a county court for each marriage, a court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or an amended birth certificate issued by the state Office of Vital Records and Statistics. If the applicant’s current name is the same as that on a proof of identity document, they do not need to show proof of legal name changes.

Where You’ll Get A REAL ID

You May Not Need a REAL ID, but Pennsylvania Suggests You Get One. Here’s Why, How, Where, and What It Will Cost

Applicants have three options to get a REAL ID product:

  • Applicants who received their first Pennsylvania driver’s license, learner’s permit, or photo ID card after Sept. 1, 2003, may already have REAL ID documentation on file with PennDOT. If so, they can for REAL ID pre-verification and order their REAL ID-compliant product online. It will be mailed to them within 15 business days, PennDOT says;
  • Visit any PennDOT Driver’s License Center that is open for driver license services. Once there, applicants can have their documents verified and imaged. Their REAL ID product will then be mailed to them, again within 15 business days;
  • Visit one of 13 REAL ID Centers. Once documents are verified and imaged applicants then can receive their REAL ID product somewhat immediately, over the counter. The ID centers nearest to the Greater Pottstown area are in King of Prussia and Norristown in Montgomery County, and Exeter in Berks County. See the entire list online.

Here’s What REAL ID Will Cost

When applicants get their first REAL ID product they will pay a one-time fee of $30. Additionally, they will pay an advance renewal fee, currently $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license, or $42.50 for a photo ID.

The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. The expiration date structure ensures applicants won’t lose time they’ve already paid for.

After the initial product expires, the customer will pay no additional charges beyond regular renewal fees to renew a REAL ID product.

REAL ID photo and graphics provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Top photo by Travels With The Post