REAL ID Required Documents — What You Must Bring (Clear & Updated Guide)

작성일자 글쓴이

🪪 REAL ID Required Documents — What You Must Bring in 2025 (Clear & Updated Guide)

Beginning May 7, 2025, every U.S. traveler boarding a domestic flight will need either a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license/ID or another TSA-approved document such as a U.S. passport.
Even if you already have a state-issued license, it may not meet federal REAL ID requirements. This guide breaks down the three mandatory document categories you must bring, how state rules differ, and what non-U.S. citizens (green card holders, students, temporary workers) should know before visiting the DMV.

※ Requirements vary slightly by state. Always double-check your local DMV website for the most accurate updates.


📘 Table of Contents

  1. 1️⃣ What Is REAL ID and Why Is It Required?
  2. 2️⃣ The 3 Mandatory REAL ID Document Categories
  3. 3️⃣ State-by-State Differences & Non-U.S. Citizen Notes
  4. 4️⃣ Example Document Sets & DMV Visit Checklist
  5. 5️⃣ Practical Tips: Names, SSN Records & Address Consistency
  6. 6️⃣ Top 3 Google-Style FAQs (Clear Answers)
  7. 7️⃣ Internal Links & Official External Resources

1️⃣ What Is REAL ID and Why Is It Required?

The REAL ID Act (2005) establishes federal identity security standards. States must verify specific personal documents before issuing a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card.
From May 7, 2025, TSA will no longer accept standard (non-REAL ID) licenses for domestic flights.
You can still fly with a U.S. passport or other federally approved identity documents, but the REAL ID license is the most convenient option for most residents.

A REAL ID card usually includes a star symbol in the upper corner. The exact design varies by state, but the star is the main indicator of federal compliance.

Quick Facts for Travelers
• You can still use your U.S. passport instead of a REAL ID.
• Children under 18 generally do not need a REAL ID when traveling with an adult who has a compliant ID.
• REAL ID is optional for driving purposes — but essential for airport security checkpoints.

2️⃣ The 3 Mandatory REAL ID Document Categories

All states follow the same federal framework. Regardless of where you live, you must bring documents from these three categories:

  1. Proof of Identity & Lawful Status
  2. Proof of Social Security Number (SSN)
  3. Proof of State Residency (usually two documents)

① Proof of Identity & Lawful Status

Examples include:

  • Valid U.S. passport or passport card
  • U.S. birth certificate (certified copy)
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
  • Foreign passport + valid U.S. visa + I-94 record
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
  • Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

If your legal name has changed — marriage, divorce, or court order — bring the document that officially links your previous name to your current one.

② Proof of Social Security Number (SSN)

Most DMVs accept:

  • Social Security card
  • W-2 showing your full SSN
  • SSA-1099 or other 1099 forms displaying your SSN
  • Pay stub with your full Social Security Number

If you are not eligible for an SSN, some states require a formal ineligibility letter from SSA. Always confirm on the state website before scheduling an appointment.

③ Proof of Residency (Two Documents)

  • Utility bills (electric, gas, water, phone, internet)
  • Bank or credit union statements
  • Lease agreements or mortgage statements
  • Auto insurance policy statements
  • Official letters from employers, schools, or government agencies

Most states require recent documents (typically issued within the last 60–90 days).
Documents listing a P.O. Box only are usually not accepted.

Example: A Complete REAL ID Document Set
For a traveler renewing a license in California:

• Identity: U.S. passport (valid)
• SSN: W-2 from the most recent tax year
• Residency (2 docs): Electric bill + bank statement, both showing the same current address

This combination satisfies the federal REAL ID requirements for most states.

3️⃣ State-by-State Differences & Non-U.S. Citizen Notes

While the core requirements are federal, each state interprets them slightly differently:

  • California (CA): Uses a detailed REAL ID checklist; residency documents must clearly show your full name and address.
  • New York (NY): Requires two residency documents and strongly enforces name-matching rules across all identity records.
  • New Jersey (NJ): Follows a point-based identity system combined with REAL ID federal verification standards.
Non-U.S. Citizen Guidance
• Bring documents proving lawful status: I-20, DS-2019, I-797 approval notices, Green Card, or EAD.
• REAL ID expiration may align with your authorized stay period.
• Enhanced IDs (EIDs) are limited to U.S. citizens in many states.
• Ensure all names match across your passport, visa, bank accounts, and school/employment records to avoid delays.

4️⃣ Example Document Sets & DMV Visit Checklist

Here is the simplest way to prepare for your DMV appointment:

  1. Review your DMV’s REAL ID checklist online.
  2. Gather at least one identity document, one SSN document, and two residency documents.
  3. Make an online appointment (walk-ins are limited in many states).
  4. Bring original documents — photocopies are often rejected.
  5. Renew your address with banks, insurance companies, and employers before your appointment.
Pro Tip:
If you recently moved, update your address everywhere first. Inconsistent addresses are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed.

5️⃣ Practical Tips: Name Matching, SSN Records & Address Consistency

REAL ID is not a tax document, but many IRS or SSA-related issues arise because records were not updated consistently.
Here are the most important tips for smooth processing:

💡 Practical Tips
1) Keep your legal name identical on your passport, SSA records, bank accounts, and DMV paperwork.
2) W-2s, 1099s, and bank statements are not only tax documents — they also help verify SSN and residency.
3) If you switched from ITIN to SSN, check that your employer, bank, and IRS records have been updated under your SSN.
4) Save digital scans of important documents — replacing them takes time and can delay REAL ID issuance.

6️⃣ Top 3 Google-Style FAQs

Q1. Do I need an SSN to get a REAL ID?

Most states require SSN verification.
If you are not eligible for an SSN, some DMVs accept an SSA ineligibility letter.
Always confirm with your state DMV before applying.

Q2. Can I apply with only one residency document?

Usually no — most states require two documents showing your name and current residential address.
Acceptable alternatives include bank statements, lease agreements, or insurance policy letters.

Q3. Can green card holders or international students get a REAL ID?

Yes. As long as lawful status can be verified, permanent residents, students (F-1), and temporary workers (H-1B, J-1, etc.) can receive a REAL ID.
However, only U.S. citizens are eligible for Enhanced IDs in many states.

7️⃣ Internal Links & External Resources

🔗 Internal Links

📚 Official External Resources