Starting on May 7, 2025, US travelers must have an Enhanced or REAL ID to board domestic flights (or present a valid passport) or to access certain federal facilities. Please carefully review the official TSA guidance here.
If you are a U.S. citizen and New York State resident, you can use an Enhanced License instead of a passport to return to the US by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, and some countries in the Caribbean. But an Enhanced Photo Document is not acceptable for air travel between these countries.
A REAL ID is optional and is not needed for the following:
- Being licensed to drive
- Voting or registering to vote
- Entering Federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification
- Applying for or receiving Federal benefits
- Accessing health or life-preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics), law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities (including a defendant’s access to court proceedings)
- Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations
How to get an Enhanced/REAL ID:
- Step 1 – Find out what documents you need by filling out this form.
- Step 2 – Submit your REAL ID application using this link.
- Step 3 – Visit your local DMV Office and bring required documentation.
- Coney Island – 2875 W 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11224
- Atlantic Avenue – 625 Atlantic Ave, 2nd Fl, Brooklyn, NY 11217
- Lower Manhattan – 11 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10004
- Jamaica (Queens) – 168-46 91st Ave, 2nd Fl, Jamaica, NY, 11432
- Springfield Gardens (Queens) – 168-35 Rockaway Blvd, Rochdale, NY 11434
After you apply, you will receive a temporary document. It takes about 2 weeks for your new document to arrive in the mail.
Fees:
There is no additional fee for a REAL ID, all normal transaction fees still apply. The additional fee for an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or enhanced on-driver ID (ENDID) is $30.
Samples of REAL IDs:
You can find different variations of REAL ID, EDL, learner’s permits and other DMV documents on the NY DMV website here. Below are samples of a REAL ID for individuals over the age of 21:
Detailed comparison of Enhanced, REAL ID, or Standard License/ID types
| ID Features | Standard | Real ID | Enhanced |
| Can use for Photo ID purposes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Is acceptable for Federal REAL ID purposes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Can use to board a domestic flight (within the U.S.) | Not after May 7, 2025 | Yes | Yes |
| Can use to enter a Federal building or military base | Not after May 7, 2025 | Yes | Yes |
| Can use to cross U.S. border from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries (by land or sea only) | No | No | Yes |
| Shows your residential address (where you live) | Shows mailing address if different from residential address | Yes | Yes |
| Requires an office visit to get one (if getting a photo document for the first time) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Requires an office visit to replace or renew | No | No, unless you are changing from a standard or updating your lawful status | No, unless you are changing from a standard or Real ID |
| Cost (in addition to regular transaction fees) | No | No | Yes, $30 |
| Displays on the front of document | NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES | See a “Real ID” photo document sample | See an “Enhanced” photo document sample |