REAL ID Now Available In Maryland: What To Know

MARYLAND — If you don't have a star on your Maryland driver’s license, it’s time to get one, federal authorities say. Residents who want to board an airplane will soon need a star on their driver’s license, indicating that it is a REAL ID credential or you will need another form of approved identification to board a flight or enter a secure federal facility.

While REAL IDs are optional and are not needed to drive or vote, you'll need it to board a domestic commercial flight as of October 1, 2020 if you don't have an alternative federally-acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID card. In addition to needing it for a domestic flight, you'll need the READ ID to enter federal offices or military installations if you don't have a passport or military ID card.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. The upgraded REAL IDs will be required starting October 1, 2020 for air travel and access to some government facilities.

Marylanders can upgrade to a REAL ID or stick with a standard driver’s license when they get a new license at a Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration branch office. Officials encourage residents to make an appointment on the MDOT MVA website to obtain the secure ID.

Required documentation includes identification (original or certified copy of a birth certificate with a raised seal or valid U.S. passport), a Social Security card, W-2 form, proof of legal name changes, and two proofs of address, such as vehicle registration, insurance card or bank statement. For specific information about what documents you'll need to apply for pre-verification, go to the REAL ID FAQs page.

The MVA guarantees you will be seen within 15 minutes of your appointment.

Find a list of full-service MVA offices, and their hours, here.

Even if you have the newly-designed driver’s license or identification card, you may need to submit additional documents in order to be REAL ID compliant – visit Maryland’s Real ID Lookup Tool to determine Real ID status.

Transportation Security Administration officers who check tickets at airports will not allow travelers into the checkpoint without a REAL ID license or another form of acceptable ID after October 1, 2020.

Once you receive your REAL ID, you'll notice there is a visible difference between it and your standard license. The REAL ID will be marked with a gold star.

If you want to see what the identification cards look like, click here.