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    Pennsylvania’s REAL ID Program Recertified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security

    June 11, 2025

    Pennsylvania continues to meet federal security standards, ensuring residents have continued access to secure, federally accepted identification.

    Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that it has been recertified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) as being in continued full compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005.

    The recertification means the commonwealth is in compliance with federal guidelines so it can continue to offer residents a federally acceptable driver license or photo ID, REAL ID, that can be used to fly domestically, enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable ID to enter, or enter military bases. Recertification occurs every three years, as determined by TSA and per federal REAL ID regulations.

    “PennDOT is committed to ensuring Pennsylvanians can access REAL ID drivers licenses and photo IDs that comply with the federal law,” said PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services Deputy Secretary Kara Templeton. “Maintaining REAL ID certification is a complex and ongoing process. The recertification reflects the hard work and dedication of PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services team, who are upholding the highest standards for security and service.”

    As a reminder, Pennsylvanians need a REAL ID driver’s license, photo ID card or another federally-accepted form of identification (like a valid passport) to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities or military bases. Visit www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID for information on how to get a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card today.

    REAL ID products are a permanent part of PennDOT’s services. Pennsylvanians can determine if a REAL ID is right for them by visiting PennDOT’s REAL ID online wizard.

    Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents to issue a REAL ID:

    • Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
    • Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
    • Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
    • Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court.
      • Note: If current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown.

    More information about REAL ID document requirements can be found on PennDOT’s REAL ID website.

    When a customer gets their first REAL ID, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee. Visit PennDOT’s website for a complete list of fees. The expiration date of a person’s initial REAL ID will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won't lose time that they've already paid for. After the initial REAL ID is issued, the customer will pay no additional fee beyond the regular renewal fees for future renewals of the product.

    After customers present the proper documentation and pay the applicable fee, they may obtain a REAL ID :

    • Apply for REAL ID at one of PennDOT’s 15 REAL ID Centers and receive it over the counter at the time of service.
    • Apply for REAL ID at a PennDOT driver license center and receive it in the mail within 15 days.

    Customers who received their first Pennsylvania driver's license, learner's permit, or photo ID card after September 1, 2003, may already have their REAL ID documentation on file with PennDOT. These customers can  apply for REAL ID pre-verification and order their REAL ID online.

    For a full list of driver license centers, REAL ID Centers, and services offered, please visit the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website and click on Find a Location.

    For more information on REAL ID, visit PennDOT’s REAL ID website.

    Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

    Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

    MEDIA CONTACT: Aimee Inama, ainama@pa.gov or 717-787-0485

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