MoDOR Encourages Residents to Prepare for REAL ID Deadline

The federal REAL ID enforcement deadline is one year away on May 3, 2023. Since the Missouri Department of Revenue began offering REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and ID cards on March 25, 2019, over 1.6 million REAL IDs have been issued. With the new REAL ID enforcement deadline coming up next year, the Department wants to remind Missourians about the new requirements and make sure everyone is prepared.

“The REAL ID enforcement deadline is approaching fast, and we want Missourians to be prepared,” said Director of Revenue Wayne Wallingford. “If you’ve already decided to get a REAL ID, don’t wait to apply; gather your documents and head to your local license office. If you’re still unsure, the Department has a variety of resources on our website that can help you make an informed decision.”

A Missouri-issued REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card will have a star in the upper right-hand corner. A license or ID card that is noncompliant with REAL ID will have “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” in the upper right-hand corner.

Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID is your choice, and is not mandatory. However, all U.S. residents will soon be required to present a REAL ID in order to enter nuclear power plants, access federal facilities, and board federally regulated domestic flights. If you plan on flying in the future but do not want to apply for a REAL ID, you can present another acceptable form of ID such as your U.S. passport.

A noncompliant license or ID card is, and will continue to be, acceptable for verification of driving privileges, verification of age, voting and registering to vote, state purposes and other purposes not limited by the REAL ID Act.

To apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, Missourians will need to submit valid, original documents verifying their identity, lawful status, Social Security number, proof of residency, and official name change if needed. Anyone wishing to apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card must notify the person assisting them at the start of their transaction.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to ease the burdens caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. REAL ID will now be enforced starting May 3, 2023.

Residents can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or non-driver identification card at one of Missouri’s several contract license office locations. The transaction and processing fees for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, new or renewal, are the same as for a license or ID card that is noncompliant with REAL ID. Detailed fee information can be found at https://dor.mo.gov/driver-license/resources/license.html#fees.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story