Get a REAL ID Now, Thank Yourself Later

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657-6437 | [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2024

Sacramento - The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that nearly 18.3 million Californians now have a REAL ID - an increase of 141,691 from October 2024.

With cooler weather, falling leaves and anticipation building for Thanksgiving, now is the perfect time to upgrade to a REAL ID before the May 7, 2025, federal enforcement deadline arrives. This is when a REAL ID or another federally approved document will be required to fly within the U.S. or enter secure federal facilities. By applying for your REAL ID now, you can help avoid heartburn at the airport should you fly to see loved ones in 2025.

"Getting a REAL ID now rather than at the last minute can make for smoother holiday travel," said DMV Director Steve Gordon. "When you pack your REAL ID, you'll be thankful with one less thing to worry about while flying."

To apply for a REAL ID, Californians should visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov, fill out the online application and upload their documents. Customers must visit a DMV office and bring their uploaded documents to complete the application. By starting the process online, it should take only about 15 minutes in the office. Customers need to provide:

• Proof of identity* - One original or certified document (example: valid passport, birth certificate) *Legal name change document(s) is required if name on proof of identity is different from the name on the other documents (example: marriage certificate, adoption papers).
• Proofs of California residency - Two documents, paper copies (example: utility bill, bank statement).
• Social Security number (exceptions may apply).

Visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov for a complete list of acceptable documents and a link to the online application.

Historical REAL ID information:

• Total REAL ID cardholders as of November 1, 2024: 18,279,780
• Total REAL ID cardholders as of October 1, 2024: 18,138,089
• Total REAL ID cardholders as of November 1, 2023: 16,624,827

Online Services

The DMV has taken many steps to offer more digital services. Most DMV tasks do not require an office visit, including simple self-service transactions no longer available in offices. The DMV encourages customers to use its online services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver's license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

To sign up for paperless vehicle registration and driver's license renewal notices, customers must sign in or create a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov, and then opt in.

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