So, I recently lost my driver’s license which of course required me to get a new one. I’ve heard these rumors and whispers that we all need to get a “REAL ID” prior to a deadline in 2020, so this seemed as good a time as any to knock that off the list.
What is the REAL ID Act? Per the CA department of motor vehicles, “Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government ‘Set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.’ The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. States have made considerable progress in meeting this key recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and every state has a more secure driver’s license today than before the passage of the Act.”
Do you need a REAL ID? Per the CA DMV site, if you travel by airplane or visit federal facilities then you need a REAL ID if you do not have a valid passport, military ID or other federally approved document. The website goes on to say that starting October 1, 2020, if you do not have this REAL ID then you will not be able to board an airplane or enter a secure federal facility. You may also require showing further evidence of legal presence to purchase a firearm. For more information, you’ll want to visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov
If you decide you need one or just want to knock this out, here are some tips from my experience:
- You are required to go to the DMV to get this ID.
- I checked multiple locations and appointments were all at least a couple months out.
- You will need two documents each to verify your Social Security Number and your Address.
- CA DMV provides this checklist: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/realid/checklist USE IT!!
- You will need to have a passport or birth certificate (or 6 other items listed on checklist)
- There will be 6 other items for the second verification. I used my W2 which wound up knocking off two birds with one stone. This document verified my Social Security number and my address.
- Third document I used was a copy of my mortgage statement. The checklist has a large list of alternate items you can utilize such as lease agreement, utility bills, medical docs, etc.
- Be sure to have all of these docs handy when you go to the DMV and also make sure the address on your documents are indeed your home address (and not a PO Box, office)
- Be sure to fill the application online in advance of the meeting and print out the confirmation number. The application can be found at: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/forms/dl/dl44
- You cannot pay with a credit card. Only cash, check or ATM/debit card are accepted. The fee was $28 when I signed up.
- Are you in the OC? Avoid Santa Ana! Parking is very difficult and the lines are long, even with an appointment. I was scheduled for 3pm, arrived at 2:45. Found parking at 3:05pm, waited in line, and was seated at 3:35pm. Once I got to my actual appointment it was smooth sailing.
- Where should you go? I’ve had good luck at the Stanton DMV in the past, but it never hurts to ask around. Long and the short of it, don’t let October 2020 sneak up on you, especially if you can’t locate your birth certificate or a passport. It’s busy now, just imagine how it will be when the deadline comes!
Remember failing to plan is a plan to fail. Get on it! 🙂
Daniel S. Romero, CFP®