New REAL IDs Being Released This Month In California And You’ll Need To Get One

By Admin on January 8, 2018

If you want to travel within the US and outside of it without lugging around a passport that is. The new California REAL IDs are in compliance with a federal mandate for all states to have more secure IDs.

But, you can’t just renew your license online. No, you have to go into the dreaded DMV in person. And not just you—all 26 million Californians with a current license.

Now, don’t like stress out yet. You have until 2020, but I think I’m going to try to take care of it sooner rather than later. Mostly because I hate lines and waiting and big crowds of people. As long as there is WIFI, I don’t mind the DMV so much. Is there WIFI?

When Can You Get REAL IDs?

The new IDs will be available beginning on January 22. So, you don’t HAVE to get one. But if you ever fly, it’ll be worth it. When you go to get your new ID, you need to bring some paperwork with you.

What Do You Need To Bring With You?

According to the Sacramento Bee, the following documents are acceptable:

• A U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card or foreign passport with approved form I-94.
• Social Security card or a federal W-2 form with your full Social Security number on it.
• Some evidence of your residence, such as a rental agreement or a mortgage statement.

Where Won’t An Old ID Work?

Aside from licenses, there will also be state-issued REAL IDs. Again, the benefit of these IDs is that regular ones will not fly at the airport (get it?). You’ll also need the new ones to get on a military base.

But, current IDs or renews ones that aren’t REAL will work for voting, getting federal benefits like Social Security, and at the post office. Your current ID will still work at the airport until October 1, 2020.

How Much Will It Cost?

The fee for the new IDs is $35, which is the same as the current license or ID renewal. So, if you renew your regular license before 2020 and then want a new REAL ID, you’ll have to pay twice.

For more information and FAQs, click here.