Can Undocumented Immigrants Get a Real ID?
If you’re an immigrant or a non-citizen living in the United States, you may have heard about a new federal law called Real ID. It’s designed to make driver’s licenses and identification cards more secure.
But the Real ID Act also raises important questions for undocumented immigrants about their ability to get a license. It’s particularly troubling that hundreds of thousands of immigrants in New York State could lose their drivers’ licenses if they don’t comply with the strict documentation requirements required under the law.
What is a real id?
A real id is a federal security credential added to state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards that establishes a minimum security standard for specific activities, such as accessing secure federal facilities, boarding a domestic commercial flight or entering a military installation. This is a major change to the way we can use our driver’s licenses and ID cards in the United States.
The law, known as the Real ID Act of 2005, was passed by Congress after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in order to protect the American people from identity theft and other crimes. The law prohibits federal agencies from accepting state-issued licenses and IDs for official purposes unless they meet real ID standards, which include incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology and preventing insider fraud.
Currently, only New Yorkers who are authorized to receive or renew their driver’s licenses can get a Real ID. However, beginning May 7, 2025, all New Yorkers must have a Real ID to board a domestic commercial flight or enter a secure federal facility that requires a form of identification.
To find out if you need a REAL ID, contact the DMV Customer Service Center at 1-877-NYS-DMV or visit the DMV website. You can also download a REAL ID interactive checklist to help you determine whether or not you need to get a Real ID.
If you do need a REAL ID, the DMV recommends that you apply for your license or ID as soon as possible. You will need to provide proof of identity, your date of birth and social security number.
Once you have the documents, you can go to your local DMV office or one of the 30 appointment facilities. The DMV encourages you to make an appointment as the line at the walk-in facilities can be long, especially during peak periods.
As of May 7, 2025, your driver’s license or identification card must have a gold star to show it is compliant with REAL ID. If your license or ID does not have a gold star, it is not compliant with REAL ID and will say “NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION.” You will need to obtain another federally-compliant form of identification, such as a passport, to board a domestic commercial flight or enter an secure federal facility after that date.
How do I get a real id?
Generally, people who are not citizens of the United States, or who have immigration status such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), will need to obtain a Real ID. This is a federally mandated requirement for those who want to fly within the United States or enter secured federal facilities, like nuclear power plants.
In order to get a REAL ID, you will need to go to a driver’s license office and present proof of your identity and lawful presence in the United States, such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate or a Social Security card. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will scan and store these documents for 10 years.
The DMV also offers an online status check that allows you to find out whether or not you are eligible for a Real ID. Using this service, you can enter your information to see if your documentation is on file and if you have the time to visit a driver’s license office to get a Real ID.
If you don’t have a Social Security number or two proofs of residency in Kansas, you can still get a REAL ID by visiting an RMV service center and getting your state ID or license upgraded. The DMV will ask for these documents and scan them into an electronic database, which it then stores for 10 years.
This will make it easier for you to use a Real ID at airports, border crossings, or other places where you may need to show identification. Additionally, a REAL ID can help you avoid fines or penalties for not having identification in case you have to leave the country.
Another benefit to getting a REAL ID is that you’ll have an enhanced level of security because it will be based on a national standard. This means that your document won’t be able to be used fraudulently, and it will also be less likely to be lost or stolen.
However, getting a REAL ID will cost you money and take time. If you do decide to get a REAL ID, be sure to visit a driver’s license office and submit your documents as soon as possible in order to get the best chance of getting your new REAL ID in time.
Can I get a real id if I am undocumented?
If you are undocumented, obtaining a real id can be difficult. However, there are options that may help you get the identification you need.
Obtaining a real id is a great first step toward reclaiming your legal status and becoming eligible for certain benefits. For example, some immigrants who are eligible for deferred action under DACA or Temporary Protected Status can apply for a new real ID if they meet certain requirements.
For more information, check out the Department of Homeland Security’s website on obtaining a real id or speak with an agent at one of the local offices in your area.
Another option is to get a temporary real id that can be used for limited purposes until your permanent one is ready. You can also ask your immigration attorney about other legal options to obtain a real id.
Many states have enacted laws that make it easier for undocumented immigrants to get an ID. For example, California has a special license that is issued to people who are not in the country legally but still live here and work.
Proponents of the program say that it has been a boon to immigrants and the state’s economy. Critics, however, argue that it also allows law enforcement to track and enforce immigrant laws and can lead to discrimination in schools and the workplace.
Other states, such as Illinois, have enacted more flexible identification laws that allow immigrants who are not in the country legally to drive without a driver’s license. Experts say that these types of policies are good for the economy in general and can be helpful to immigrants, who often face discrimination from employers and others.
In addition, Illinois has made it easier for undocumented immigrants to find work by expanding the number of businesses that can hire undocumented workers. This has helped people in need of employment gain more opportunities and increase their income, experts say.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has created a tool to help undocumented people find jobs. It includes a search engine and a database of local employers that can help them find jobs.
Can I get a real id if I am a green card holder?
A green card holder can get a real id, but only if their state is compliant with the REAL ID Act. The REAL ID Act is a federal law that requires states to issue licenses and identification cards that meet federal security standards.
This means they must have anti-counterfeit technology and employees who are trained to check immigration status. In addition, if you live in a compliant state, you’ll need to have a photo taken and verify your identity with the Department of Motor Vehicles before they can give you a real id.
The real id will allow you to board domestic flights and access secured federal facilities like military bases and courthouses, but it won’t be a substitute for a passport. It’s important to remember that if you are a green card holder and plan on traveling outside of the United States, you should obtain a passport or other valid form of identification.
In order to get a real id, you must present documents that show your name and date of birth, and you must select which documents you will use to prove your legal presence in the United States. For example, if you live in a different name than the one on your residency documents, you will need to present a certified name change document such as a marriage license or a court document.
You can also use your birth certificate to prove your name and date of birth, as well as an immigration document showing your current legal status. If you don’t have any of these documents, you can purchase them at the local social security office or at the state government offices in your area.
If you do not have any of these documents, you can still get a real id but it will be a much longer process. To get a real id in California, you will need to present your legal presence documents along with proof that you have lived in the United States for at least 12 months prior to applying.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has created a helpful website that will help you determine if you need a real id to fly in the United States. It will also let you know when you can start applying for a real id and how long it takes to get your new ID.