Easier than Homework: Get a REAL ID This Back-to-School Season

Contact: Office of Public Affairs
2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5, 2024

Sacramento – Nearly 17.9 million Californians now have a REAL ID – an increase of 154,759 from July 2024, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Schools are headed back into session and homework is on the horizon for many. But rest assured, your homework to get a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card is a quick assignment.

It is not necessary to wait for the federal enforcement date of May 7, 2025, that requires a REAL ID or other federally approved document to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities. Doing it now means one less thing to worry about in 2025 if you want to use your driver’s license or ID card to fly around the country.

“After the kids are dropped off at school, use your ‘me time’ to go to the DMV website to start the process to get your REAL ID. Do your homework and your trip to the office to complete the application will be quick,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon.

To apply for a REAL ID, Californians should visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov, fill out the online application and upload their documents. Customers must visit a DMV office and bring their uploaded documents to complete the application. By starting the process online, it should only take about 15 minutes in the office. Customers need to provide:

Proof of identity* – One original or certified document (example: valid passport, birth certificate)
*Legal name change document(s) is required if name on proof of identity is different from the name on the other documents (example: marriage certificate, adoption papers).
Proofs of California residency – Two documents, paper copies (example: utility bill, bank statement).
Social Security number (exceptions may apply).

Visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov for a complete list of acceptable documents and a link to the online application.

Historical REAL ID information:

Total REAL ID cardholders as of August 1, 2024: 17,857,636
Total REAL ID cardholders as of July 1, 2024: 17,702,877
Total REAL ID cardholders as August 1, 2023: 16,153,115

Online Services

The DMV has taken many steps to offer more digital services. Most DMV tasks do not require an office visit, including simple self-service transactions that are no longer available in offices. The DMV encourages customers to use its online services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV tasks.

To sign up for paperless vehicle registration and driver’s license renewal notices, customers must sign in or create a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov, and then opt in.

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