REAL ID Deadline Creeping Up In Massachusetts

Boston MA

20 April, 2021

7:57 AM

Description

BOSTON — People who put off renewing their driver's license to the last minute (hello) might want to be on top of the process this time around. There are less than six months to go before enforcement of REAL ID requirements for certain things like domestic air travel and getting into federal buildings goes into effect. Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, drivers' licenses and state IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted as identification by federal authorities. What that means is relatively simple: Your standard license will no longer be enough to get you on a domestic flight or into federal buildings. REAL IDs will still be optional, but if you don't have one you'll need a U.S. passport or military ID to get fly domestically or get into federal buildings. You don't need a REAL ID to vote or drive. Children under 18 do not need a REAL ID. The deadline for REAL IDs had been last October, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed it back to this October. But again, you don't want to put this off. It could be as many 15 days before you get your REAL ID after applying, so applying in late September could put you at risk for that early October flight. Obtaining a REAL ID requires an in-person visit to the RMV and costs $50, the same as a standard ID. You can at least start — and in some cases, finish — your application online. The requirements for applying are different from a standard ID: You must provide any ONE of the following: SSN Card (cannot be laminated)W-2 FormSSA-1099 FormNon-SSA-1099 FormA pay stub with the applicant's name and full SSN on itSSN Denial Notice with passport, visa, and I-94 ONE of the following: Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport cardCertified copy of a birth certificate filed with a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual's state of birth — A Puerto Rican birth certificate will only be accepted for identification if it was issued on or after July 1, 2010. For more information on the Puerto Rican birth certificate law, visit the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration website at prfaa.pr.govConsular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350, or FS-545Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by DHS or INSTemporary I-551 stamp in foreign passportUnexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by DHS, Form I-766, or Form I-688BUnexpired foreign passport with a valid, unexpired U.S. visa affixed — A non-US passport must contain a current visa and be presented with an I-94 Record of Arrival and Departure, unless you have a Permanent Resident Card or other change in status. The I-94 can be either a paper version from U.S. Customs and Border Protection or a printout of an electronic version downloaded from their website at cbp.gov/i94 — For applicable customers who have a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) or Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (DS-2019) documentation verifying the applicant's most recent admittance into the United States must be shown.Certificate of Citizenship, Form N-560, or Form N-561, issued by DHSCertificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570)Re-Entry Permit (I-327)Refugee Travel Document (I-571) TWO of the following: Massachusetts RMV- issued documents (can use one from the options below): Current license, Massachusetts ID card, or learner's permit (liquor ID not accepted)RMV-issued correspondence dated within 60 days and received via U.S. mail (including license/registration reminders) State/federal/municipal/city/town/county agency-issued documents: 1st class mail dated within 60 daysCurrent MA-issued professional license with photographMedicaid statement dated within 60 daysCurrent firearms cardJury duty summons dated within 60 daysCourt correspondence dated within 60 daysProperty tax for current yearExcise tax for current year Bills Utility bill (electric, telephone, water, sewer, cable, satellite, heating) dated within 60 daysCredit card statement dated within 60 daysMedical/hospital statement dated within 60 daysCell phone bill dated within 60 days Lease/Mortgage Current lease/mortgage or similar rental contract Financial-related documents Bank statement that contains images of cancelled personal checks dated within 60 daysW-2 wage and tax statement from immediate prior yearCurrent pension statement (401k, 457, SEP, etc.)Current retirement statementPay stub dated within 60 daysCurrent SSA statementCurrent installment loan contract (car loan) School-issued document Official school transcript for current yearOfficial letter from school (proof of enrollment) dated within 60 daysTuition bill for current yearCertified school record for current year Insurance-related documents Auto insurance policy for current yearRenter's insurance policy for current yearHomeowner's insurance policy for current year Alternative Residency Affidavit For applicants under the age of 18 only More information on REAL IDs in Massachusetts can be found here.