Oregon REAL ID: What You Need to Know

You’ll need an Oregon REAL ID if you plan to use your driver’s license to board domestic flights after May 3, 2023.
Written by Sean Boehme
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
background
If you don’t upgrade your
Oregon
driver’s license to a REAL ID before May 3, 2023, you won’t be able to use it to board domestic flights. In order to get a REAL ID, you’ll need to make an appointment at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and bring the proper documentation.
If you’re like most people, you probably use your driver’s license as your primary identification and have never had a problem with it. But starting in 2023, any driver’s license that isn’t REAL ID-compliant will have a few limitations, such as access to federal buildings and domestic flights.
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What is REAL ID?

In 2005, Congress passed the
REAL ID Act
based on a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission. The act intended to overhaul the security measures placed on state-issued identification. The result of the act has been the slow phasing in of REAL IDs, which are more standardized and secure than older forms of identification. 
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Who needs a REAL ID?

The enforcement of REAL IDs will go into effect beginning on May 3, 2023. Starting on that day, you will need a REAL ID to:
  • Enter a military base
  • Enter a federal building
  • Enter a nuclear power plant
  • Board a domestic flight
For the most part, you won’t be affected if you can’t enter these places unless your line of work requires you to.
The one exception is domestic flights, as many people prefer to use their
Oregon driver’s license
in order to board.
You’ll still be able to board a domestic flight with alternative identification, such as a passport or another document approved by the TSA. But if you want the convenience of using your driver’s license to fly, you’ll need to upgrade to a REAL ID. 
Key Takeaway: Beginning on May 3, 2023, you’ll want a REAL ID so that you can board domestic flights. 

How to get an Oregon REAL ID

If you want to upgrade to a REAL ID, you’ll need to
make an appointment
with an Oregon DMV office. Note that there is no way to get a REAL ID through an online application.
Once you head over to the DMV, you will need to provide proof of:
  • Identity
  • Name
  • Address
If you aren’t sure what documents will act as proof, you can
find a list here
. Keep in mind that you’ll also have to pay a $30 fee for a REAL ID in addition to any other renewal or replacement fees you owe. 
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FAQ

If you want to continue using your driver’s license to fly domestically, you should go get one.
If you aren’t sure whether or not to get a REAL ID, you can also check out the
Department of Homeland Security’s website
.
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