MD REAL ID Deadline Extended Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Alessia Grunberger
Updated ·3 min read

This article originally appeared on the Rockville Patch

MARYLAND — Amid a growing coronavirus pandemic, federal officials are postponing the Oct. 1 deadline for Marylanders to obtain a REAL ID to fly domestically and enter secure federal facilities.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Thursday that the new enforcement deadline for REAL ID is Oct. 1, 2021.

"The federal, state and local response to the spread of the Coronavirus here in the United States necessitates a delay in this deadline," Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said. "Our state and local partners are working tirelessly with the Administration to flatten the curve and, therefore, we want to remove any impediments to response and recovery efforts."

The REAL ID law was passed by Congress after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The goal was to establish a federal standard for driver's licenses and IDs.

Real ID compliant driver's licenses and identification cards from the state of Maryland have a small star in the upper right corner to indicate the credentials are acceptable for these federal purposes. Some military bases have already stopped accepting non-Real ID compliant credentials which display "Federal Limits Apply."

Four pieces of identification are required to obtain a Real ID: a passport or birth certificate, a Social Security card or tax return, and two documents proving proof of residence, such as a mortgage or rental receipt and a utility bill.

To reduce wait times for Real ID, the Maryland Department of Transportation MVA has extended service hours at nine branch offices. Varied Saturday hours are open in Beltsville, Bel Air, Columbia, Glen Burnie, Frederick, Parkville, Walnut Hill, Westminster, and Loveville. Under the plan, the Maryland MVA will make more than 3,000 appointments available statewide each day.

Related: Real ID Maryland: How To Avoid The Lines

Maryland residents must make an appointment on the MDOT MVA website and after collecting documentation, visit a local branch to become REAL ID compliant. Because of the coronavirus outbreak, all MVA offices are closed until further notice.

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

Visit Maryland's Real ID Lookup Tool to determine your Real ID status.

Residents should bring several documents — originals, not copies — to their MVA appointment.

This includes:

  • Proof of identity, including a valid license, birth certificate or passport, with full first, middle and last name. This name will be displayed on the card as required by federal law.

  • Proof of Social Security number or Social Security number ineligibility. Those with a Maryland driver's license or ID card, must bring a Social Security card or letter from the Social Security Administration proving ineligibility to have a Social Security number. Those who lost their Social Security card must obtain a duplicate before heading to the MVA.

  • Proof of your date of birth.

  • Proof of U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency or temporary lawful status in the U.S.

  • Two different proofs of Maryland residence such as a utility bill, bank statement or mortgage statement (a post office box not acceptable). This address will be displayed on your card.

  • If the name on your license, permit or non-driver ID application does not match the name on your identity, lawful status and Social Security proofs, you must bring court- or government-issued proof documenting the event causing your name change, such as a marriage license, divorce decree, adoption or court order document.