Florida REAL ID: Enforcement Begins In 1 Year

Nikki Gaskins
·3 min read

FLORIDA — Florida residents have just one year to apply for their REAL ID cards. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcement for air travelers on May 3, 2023.

During the pandemic, the deadline was moved to next year for the Sunshine State and the rest of the nation. Coronavirus restrictions made it more cumbersome for residents to make trips to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles since the agency was operating in person at a limited capacity.

Although the deadline is a year away, Floridians are urged to try and get their REAL ID ahead of time.

Getting a REAL ID isn't necessarily required, but Florida recommends it. U.S. passports will still be an acceptable form of federal identification to board any flight or visit a federal property. Those who are under 18 years old are not required to have this ID to fly.

View the FLHSMV's fact sheet about the REAL ID here.

It's important to note that the new federally-compliant ID card looks slightly different from a traditional Florida driver's license. This new card will have a little gold star in the top right corner, while a driver's license will be labeled "federal limits apply."

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Any Floridian who can prove their legal presence in the U.S. with one accepted identity document is eligible to apply for this card, officials said. DACA and Temporary Protected Status recipients are also eligible to apply if their documents are current, according to Florida officials. See the REAL ID checklist here.

The REAL ID Act was passed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.

How to apply for the REAL ID in Florida

To apply for the new card, you'll need to gather a few documents and take a trip to the DMV.

1. First gather any of the following identity documents:

  • Valid U.S. passport

  • Birth certificate

  • U.S. certificate or consular report of birth abroad

  • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship

  • Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card

  • Unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)

  • Unexpired Permanent Resident Card or valid/expired Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797)

  • Unexpired foreign passport stamped "Processed for I-551"

  • Documents reflecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) benefit eligibility

2. Then find proof of your social security number (full number required)

  • Social Security card

  • W-2 form

  • SSA-1099 form

  • Non-SSA-1099 form

  • Paystub

3. Gather two of these documents to prove Florida residency

  • Home utility bills (including cellular phone)

  • Medical documents

  • Car or Boat registration

  • Employment documents

  • Insurance documents

  • Bank and Financial institution records

  • Change of Address confirmation by the U.S. Postal Service

  • Mortgage bill

  • Rental or lease agreement (signed by owner and tenant)

  • IRS or Florida FTB tax return

4. Visit a FLHSMV office. Find one close to you.

Florida REAL ID: Enforcement Begins In 1 Year originally appeared on the Miami Patch