BETHLEHEM, Pa. — There are just two more months until Pennsylvania residents will need to get their REAL ID.
And the state Transportation Department will hold REAL ID Days to help residents get the new identification, a PennDOT release says.
“PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one.”PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton
“PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one,” PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton said in the release.
“Because we’re seeing an increase in demand, we decided to offer our REAL ID Days as a way to ensure we are meeting the needs of the public and providing them with the best possible customer service.”
REAL ID will be needed for those 18 and older who plan to take domestic commercial flights or access certain federal or military facilities.
Otherwise, a REAL ID is optional to Pennsylvanians — meaning residents can still get an identification card or standard driver's license card.
"If you do not get a REAL ID, you must have an alternate form of federally acceptable identification (valid passport, military ID, etc.) to board domestic commercial flights and enter certain federal facilities after May 7," the state's webpage about REAL ID says.
Area REAL ID Days
REAL ID Days, during which centers exclusively process REAL IDs, typically take place on Mondays when the centers are closed, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Here's when and where REAL ID Days will be held in the Lehigh Valley:
- Whitehall Driver License Center (1101 MacArthur Road): March 3, April 14 and May 5.
- Lehigh Valley Driver License Center (1710 Hoover Ave., Allentown): March 24, April 14 and May 5.
- Easton Driver License Center (2473 Nazareth Road): May 5.
On April 14 and May 5, the Whitehall Driver License Center will be able to process and issue a REAL ID at the time of service. Residents who go to other centers will get the REAL ID by mail within 15 business days.
The state Transportation Department said it's sticking to its most recently announced deadline, May 7, after repeatedly pushing it back since its original deadline in 2008.
The Real ID Act was approved by Congress in 2005 and, according to the Department of Homeland Security establishes "minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards."
Documents needed
The release says the events have been popular, with more than 2,300 residents being assisted at previous REAL ID Days.
If you don't need to enter a military base, certain federal facilities or board a domestic commercial flight before May 7, don't worry, Pennsylvanians can still get their REAL ID up to or after the enforcement deadline, the release says.
PennDOT still needs to verify documents before issuing a REAL ID. Those include proof of identity, proof of social security number, two proofs of a current, physical Pennsylvania address and (if applicable) proof of all legal name changes.
Here's what documents you can bring for each category, according to the state's REAL ID webpage:
- Proof of identity: An original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the state office of vital records with a raised/embossed seal, issued by an authorized government agency or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or passport card.
- Proof of Social Security number: A Social Security card, W-2 form, SSA-1099 form, non-SSA-1099 form or a pay stub.
- Two proofs of current physical address: A current, unexpired Pennsylvania license or ID, a Pennsylvania vehicle registration, auto insurance card or a utility bill with the same name and address.
- Proof of all legal name changes: A certified marriage certificate, court order or adoption decree issued by your county's family court.
The webpage says any lawfully present non-U.S. citizens can bring an unexpired Employment Authorization Card issued by DHS, Form I-766, Form 1-688B, a valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card I-551, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) issued by DHS or INS or an unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired U.S. visa affixed and an I-94 indicating temporary evidence of permanent residence.
Additional information for non-U.S. citizens can be found on the PennDOT REAL ID Information for non-U.S. Citizens page.
