Countdown begins for Pennsylvania Real ID requirement

Pennsylvanians have one year until the Real ID requirement for domestic air travel in the United States goes into effect.

After two years of pandemic-driven delays, the federal requirement will be put into place May 3, 2023.

“Although a year seems like a long time to get ready, the deadline will be upon us before you know it,” said Melissa Batula, PennDOT’s acting executive deputy secretary. “We encourage our customers who want a Real ID to get one as soon as possible.”

The deadline was originally set for October 2020. It was moved ahead several times to accommodate pandemic precautions that urged people to keep from congregating and stay home as much as possible.

Real ID is a federal law that affects whether a state-issued license or ID card is acceptable for federal purposes — like boarding a flight or entering a federal building. Come May 3, 2023, those things will require a Real ID, passport or passport card or a military identification.

About 1.6 million Pennsylvanians have gotten their Real ID, according to PennDOT officials. That’s out of 8.3 million customers processed at DMVs since March 2019.

“We see plenty of travelers who reside in neighboring Delaware and New Jersey who fly out of Philadelphia International Airport regularly,” Philadelphia TSA security Director Gerardo Spero said in a press conference at the airport Monday. “Like all travelers from out of state who want to fly after May 3, 2023, they also will need to have a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or other acceptable form of ID.”

The law affects not just Pennsylvanians, but rather all U.S. residents. It is up to states to institute and issue an identification card that meets the law’s standards.

“The Real ID law is for all Americans who want to fly out of any domestic airport across the country starting one year from now,” Spero said. “My advice is to go to your local state’s department of motor vehicles or department of transportation to get your upgraded Real ID driver’s license now. Don’t wait.”

Residents need a number of documents that they would not necessarily need if just renewing their driver’s license or ID card:

• Proof of identity: Examples include original or certified copy of a birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport;
• Proof of Social Security number: Social Security card in current legal name
• Two proofs of physical Pennsylvania address: Examples include a current driver’s license or ID card, vehicle registration or a utility bill;
• Proof of all legal name changes (if legal name is different than what is on the proof of identity documents): Examples include a certified marriage certificate, a court order approving a name change or an amended birth certificate