By Maanasa Dhavala, Building Kentucky
You’ve probably been hearing about REAL IDs for a while. But what actually is a REAL ID, and how do you get one?
A REAL ID is a driver’s license, permit, or identification card that has undergone a stricter vetting process than non-REAL ID compliant identification – it’s part of an attempt by the federal government to verify identities and protect Americans. Starting May 7, 2025, REAL IDs or some other federally compliant ID, such as a passport or military ID, will be needed to board domestic flights, enter military bases, or enter any federal buildings that require identification.
What are the benefits of REAL IDs?
The obvious ones are the ease of flying and entering military bases or federal buildings without worrying if your ID is sufficient. REAL IDs can also be valid for 8 years, compared to the 4 years a standard Kentucky driver’s license is valid for, and they can be renewed online after they have been acquired.
How do you get a REAL ID?
You can get a REAL ID at any Driver Licensing Regional Office statewide, and while appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are also accepted. If your license or identification card expires in the next 6 months, you can get a REAL ID now for either 4 or 8 years – if your identification doesn’t expire in the next 6 months, you can pay $15 to upgrade to a REAL ID.
What’s needed to get a REAL ID?
While the stricter standards for getting a REAL ID may seem daunting, what’s needed to get one is pretty straightforward. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident trying to get their Kentucky REAL ID, you’ll need:
- 1 Proof of Identity (Certified birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, etc. (no photocopies, applicants under 18 must provide birth certificate))
- 2 Proofs of Residency (KY driver’s license with current home address, utility bill (must be less than 1 year old), etc.
- 1 Proof of Social Security (Social Security card, current tax year W-2 or 1099 form (no photocopies of social security card, SSN may not be handwritten))
If your information doesn’t match across documents, you are not a U.S. citizen, or you are unable to obtain any of these documents, go take the quiz at https://drive.ky.gov/Pages/IDocument-Guide.aspx – once you answer a few questions, it’ll pull up a list of what documents you should bring to your REAL ID appointment.
REAL ID rules kick in next May, so get a head start and visit your local Driver Licensing Regional Office to upgrade. If you have any questions, visit https://drive.ky.gov/RealID/Pages/ or https://www.dhs.gov/real-id for the best information.
