Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) are reminding Pennsylvanians they will need REAL ID or other federally accepted ID to board a domestic commercial flight or enter certain federal facilities starting May 7, 2025.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver's licenses and ID cards acceptable for federal purposes.

Pennsylvanians can obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card by presenting documents for verification and processing at any PennDOT driver license center. Federal regulations require PennDOT to verify the following documents:

  • Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised seal/embossed or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
  • Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, an SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form or a pay stub.
  • Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration or a utility bill with the same name and address.
  • Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include a certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name or amended birth certificate issued by the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics. If the customer’s current name is the same as what is reflected on proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), they do not need to show proof of legal name changes.

When a customer gets their first REAL ID product, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver's license or $42.50 for a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee beyond regular renewal fees to renew a REAL ID product.