How Do I Get a Real ID? Required Documents, FAQs, & More

What You Need to Know About the New Enhanced Driver’s License

Ohio Compliant driver’s license/ID cards have enhanced security features  

To obtain the new compliant identification card, Ohioans must prove their identity

Travelers will not be able to fly within the United States without the new compliant driver’s license or photo ID card

The deadline to have a Real ID was May 3, 2023, but it is now May 7, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security announced that the deadline was pushed back two years due to the impact of the pandemic.

The new federally compliant license or identification cards will meet national travel security requirements to fly, have access to federal facilities or military bases if necessary, and include several enhanced security features in addition to indicating the identity card requirements to drive a motor vehicle or be a CDL commercial driver. These cards are also marked with a black star in the right-hand corner.

Ohio Real ID FAQs

How do I obtain a new State of Ohio-compliant driver’s license or identification card?

Obtaining a compliant license is slightly different than usual when obtaining a standard identification card. Each person will need to provide the following documents from the Acceptable Document List:

1. Full legal name
2. Proof of identity and date of birth (birth certificate or passport)
3. Government-issued social security card or number
4. Proof of Ohio residency (utility bill or bank statement)
5. Proof of legal presence (utility bill or bank statement)

Search Ohio Department of Motor Vehicles locations for help with licence issuing expired license renewing, name change, permanent residence change, citizenship inquiries, voter registration, and more forms of government issued ID.

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What documents do I need?

In order to get the new ID, applicants must provide unexpired proof of their identity (be sure to check the expiration dates as appropriate):

1. Full legal name
2. Date of birth
3. Legal presence in the United States
4. Social Security number (SSN)
5. Ohio street address – TWO documents from various sources proving Ohio street addresses listed on the Acceptable Document List are required for proof of Ohio residency.
6. Proof of name change (if applicable)

A few resources to obtain acceptable documents are as follows:

• Ohio Compliant ID Acceptable Document List for Identification
• How to Order a Certified Copy of an Ohio Birth Certificate
• How to Apply for a U.S. Passport
• How to Order a Social Security Card
  

Why do I need a new driver’s license and identification card?

Centralizing the production and issuance of driver licenses and photo identification cards based on the Real I.D. Act will reduce fraud and identity theft in these ways:

• Ensuring driver licenses and ID cards are issued to legitimate cardholders only;
• Preventing loss and theft of secure materials from Deputy Registrar agencies; and,
• Providing a more secure printing environment and reducing costs associated with security renovations at local Deputy Registrar agencies.

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Please remember that the standard State of Ohio driver licenses and identification cards issued before July 2, 2018, will expire and not be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after May 7, 2025. Ohioans will be required to present a standard driver’s license or id-card with a passport or other acceptable documents approved by the TSA to fly commercially or access a federal facility or active-duty military base.

Source:  State of Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

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