Things are about to get real in the state of New Jersey. Beginning in May, 2025 state residents will be required to have a Real ID compliant driver license or identification card. The only other acceptable form of identification to fly with the United States will be a passport or a federally approved form of identification. The Real ID goes into effect May 7, 2025 The standard New Jersey driver license can still be used for driving. Get started now! Make an appointment on the New Jersey Motor Vehicle website (NJMVC): You are not required to get a REAL ID, however, starting May 7, 2025, if you typically use your driver license or non-driver ID (instead of a passport or other form of ID) to fly within the U.S. you probably want a REAL ID. Otherwise you will need to use a valid U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification. The Standard New Jersey driver license can still be used for driving.
You will need: (2) forms of residential address. This includes a valid New Jersey driver license/non-driver identification card, a utility or credit card bill issued over the past 90 days, a checking or savings account statement issued in the past 60 days, an original, unexpired lease or rental agreement, a tax bill, statement or receipt, or any letter from the IRS or tax office within the past year or first class mail from any government agency in the past six months. Applicants under 18 must have signed parental or guardian consent. You will also need proof of a full social security number. This includes a Social Security card, a pay stub with name and full social security number, a W-2 OR 1099 tax form within the past year. It sounds like a lot of running around and information collection and it is! The beauty of this is once approved and you are looking down on the bright yellow star in the upper right corner, you can be assured you have been fully identified in the world as the person you are.
REAL ID is the government's proof and verification to help prevent fraudulent identification, a dark web nobody wants to experience and be entangled in.