How to Get a New York REAL ID
After May 3, 2023, the federal government requires all New York driver’s licenses to be REAL ID compliant if they’re used to fly domestically.
Written by Jaya Anandjit
Edited by Jessica Barrett
As of May 7, 2025, the U.S. federal government will require your
New York driver’s license
, permit, or ID card to be REAL ID compliant if you want to use it as identification on domestic flights.- REAL IDs can be used to board a domestic U.S. flight or enter a federal building.
- The original deadline to acquire a REAL ID in New York (October 2020) was pushed to May 2025 due to restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 to promote federal security standards.
- Enhanced driver’s licenses are accepted as REAL ID documents, but standard licenses do not offer the same benefits.
- REAL IDs can be used to board a domestic U.S. flight or enter a federal building.
- The original deadline to acquire a REAL ID in New York (October 2020) was pushed to May 2025 due to restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 to promote federal security standards.
- Enhanced driver’s licenses are accepted as REAL ID documents, but standard licenses do not offer the same benefits.
New Yorkers might need a REAL ID as of May 2025
- Board a domestic flight (within the U.S.)
- Enter military bases and certain federal facilities (e.g., courthouses)
- Gain access to nuclear power plants
Entering a military base or nuclear power plant may not be on your daily (or even yearly) to-do list, but if you’re hoping to jet off to another state using your New York driver’s license, you’ll have to upgrade it to a REAL ID-compliant license by 2025.
Remember: If you have an
enhanced driver's license
(EDL) or valid U.S. passport that is already REAL ID compliant, you can use that to board a flight. An enhanced New York driver's license will also get you across the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders, making it slightly more useful than a REAL ID. Take a look at the table below for the key features of each type of driver’s license offered for New York residents. You can apply for any of the following in person at your local NY Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office:
Document type | Use for Photo ID | Accepted for Federal REAL ID use (including entering gov buildings) | Use to board a domestic flight | Use to cross into the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean locations | Includes residential address | Fees to acquire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Standard License | Yes | No | Not after May 7, 2025 | No | Yes | No (standard transaction fees apply) |
REAL ID | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No (standard transaction fees apply) |
Enhanced driver’s license | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | $30 |
REAL ID non-driver identification card | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | $9.50 to $14.00 |
Key Takeaway The REAL ID Act was implemented in 2005 and established higher security standards for identification documents. As of May 7, 2025, you’ll be required to carry a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to pass through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security and board domestic flights.
How to get a New York REAL ID
If you want to upgrade your New York driver’s license to a REAL ID, here’s what you need to do.
Use the New York
DMV’s Document Guide
to gather all required documentation that you’ll need for your REAL ID:- Proof of identity (valid license, birth certificate, or passport with your full first, middle (if applicable), and last name)
- Proof of Social Security number or Social Security number ineligibility (Social Security Card, W2, Paystub with full SSN)
- Proof of date of birth (valid license, birth certificate, passport with your full first, middle (if applicable), and last name)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or temporary lawful status in the U.S. (original U.S. birth certificate, passport with your full first, middle (if applicable), and last name)
- Two different proofs stating your New York state residence (utility bill, bank statement, mortgage statement)
- Name change documents (if applicable)
Once you’ve collected the necessary documentation, you must head to your
local DMV
office to apply for your new ID—you cannot apply for a REAL ID online, by phone, or by mail. There currently is no additional fee to upgrade your New York driver’s license to a REAL ID; all normal transaction fees are still applicable. If you want to apply for an
Enhanced Driver License
or Enhanced ID Card
, you will be required to pay a $30 fee.After completing the application process at your local DMV location, your REAL ID or enhanced driver’s license will arrive in the mail within two weeks.
FAQs
Do I need a REAL ID?
The
Department of Homeland Security’s website
has an interactive tool to help you find out if you’re REAL ID-ready. However, if you’re hoping to use your driver’s license to board domestic flights after May 3, 2023, you’ll have to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license.Can I still board a domestic flight with my standard driver's license in New York?
You can board a domestic flight with your standard New York driver’s license up until May 2025. All New York residents must be REAL ID compliant by May 7, 2025, and without a REAL ID, you will not be able to board a domestic flight after this date.
Does my child need REAL ID documents to fly domestically?
Only individuals over 18 will be required to hold a REAL ID document to travel domestically with their driver’s license. If your child is accompanied by a parent or guardian with a REAL ID license, they will not need their own REAL ID to pass through airport security.
What’s the difference between a REAL ID and an Enhanced driver’s license in New York?
An enhanced driver’s license (EDL) is a type of REAL ID document. The biggest difference between a REAL ID and an EDL is that an EDL exclusively allows U.S. citizens to cross the U.S. border by land or sea when coming from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean locations.
Can I use my REAL ID driver’s license from out-of-state in New York?
Yes, you can use your REAL ID driver’s license to drive, board a domestic flight, or enter a federal building in New York. New Yorkers can also use their REAL ID outside of the state.
Can I get a non-driver Real ID card in New York?
Can I get a REAL ID learner’s permit in New York?
Yes, you can get a REAL ID learner’s permit in New York. Additionally, you can also get a REAL ID non-driver ID card.
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