Check Your REAL ID Document Requirements

You need a REAL ID (or another acceptable form of ID like a passport) only if you plan to:

• Fly domestically within the U.S.
• Enter federal buildings
• Visit military bases
• Enter nuclear power plants

If you don't plan to do any of these activities, you can continue to use a standard driver's license or ID card for driving, voting, accessing hospitals, applying for federal benefits, and other everyday activities.

If you have a valid U.S. passport or passport card, these are acceptable alternatives to a REAL ID for domestic air travel and entering federal facilities. Other acceptable forms of ID include:

• U.S. Department of Defense ID
• Permanent resident card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• Transportation worker identification credential

The cost varies by state. In North Carolina, a REAL ID costs the same as a standard license or ID card:

• Driver License: $44 for an 8-year license
• ID Card: $14 for an 8-year ID card

If you're getting a REAL ID before your current license or ID expires, you may be charged a duplicate fee. Check with your state's DMV for specific pricing information.

Generally, original or certified documents are required for REAL ID applications. However, many states do accept printed electronic copies of some documents, such as:

• Online utility bills
• Bank statements
• Insurance statements

For core identity documents like birth certificates, social security cards, or passports, original or certified copies are required. Photocopies or digital images on your phone are typically not accepted.

If you've had multiple name changes, you'll need to provide documentation that shows the complete chain of name changes from your identity document to your current legal name.

For example, if your birth certificate shows your maiden name, and you've been married and divorced several times with name changes each time, you would need each document showing the progression of name changes. Each document must create an unbroken link between your birth name and current name.

Yes, children can get REAL ID-compliant identification cards. The documentation requirements are similar to those for adults. For children under 18, additional documents like magazine subscriptions, school records, or medical records may be acceptable as proof of residency.

The parent or guardian must accompany the minor to the DMV. Remember that TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States, but the companion will need acceptable identification.