The California Department of Motorvehicles (DMV) is encouraging residents to get REAL IDs as the federal enforcement date is extended to May 2023 due to pandemic delays.

California residents are being urged by the DMV to get their REAL IDs even as the REAL ID enforcement date has been extended from Oct. 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023 because there are limited DMV appointments as a result of the pandemic.

“We continue to aggressively pursue service improvements so anyone who is eligible and wants a REAL ID today can get it,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “There is no need to wait for long lines or deadlines. If you need to renew your driver’s license, you can upgrade to a REAL ID.”

Starting May 3, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is set to require a valid passport or another federally approved document, like a REAL ID driver’s license or REAL ID identification card, to board domestic flights and access secure federal facilities and military bases.

To apply for a REAL ID, Californians must visit a DMV office and provide:

• One proof of identity* – original or certified (examples: valid passport, birth certificate)
• *Legal name change document(s) if name on proof of identity is different from the name on the other documents (examples: marriage certificate, adoption papers)
• Social Security number
• Two proofs of California residency – paper copies (examples: utility bill, bank statement)

More than 10 million Californians have already been issued a REAL ID.

The DMV recommends residents fill out the REAL ID application here and upload their documents before visiting the DMV. This way, Californians can bring their confirmation code and documents with them to a DMV office at their convenience, even the same day, for express service – no appointment necessary.

Once at a service window, it would take less than 10 minutes to complete the REAL ID transaction for those who have already uploaded their documents online.

The DMV continues to encourage customers to use its online services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals.

As a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all Californians can now renew their driver’s license online – even if the renewal notice states an office visit is required.

Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

With more customers using online services, DMV offices have more space to accommodate those who need a REAL ID or otherwise have to visit an office.

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