What is REAL ID?
“REAL ID” comes from the REAL ID Act of 2005, a federal law that focused on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver license and nondriver license identification card (ID card) security. The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards. The Missouri Department of Revenue has been working to meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act and remains on track to achieve full implementation in 2019.
Beginning October 1, 2021, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights. Also beginning October 1, 2021, individuals must present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses, and to enter nuclear power plants.
Do I need a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?
It depends. Effective October 1, 2021, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card, or another form of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, for boarding domestic flights. Also beginning October 1, 2021, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses, and to enter nuclear power plants.
You are not required and likely do not need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card if:
You will not need one for any of the above purposes on or after October 1, 2021; or
You hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements, such as a valid U.S. passport or passport card.
Does Missouri law require me to hold a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?
No. Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card is your choice. Issuance of a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card is not mandatory.
When will I be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license, nondriver ID card, or other form of identification that meets federal requirements, to board domestic flights, access federal facilities and enter nuclear power plants?
October 1, 2021. Prior to October 1, 2021, you can continue to use your current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card, regardless of whether it is REAL ID-compliant.
When will Missouri’s REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver ID cards be available?
You can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card beginning March 25, 2019.
REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will not be available prior to that date. Please note: the current Missouri-issued license and ID card will afford you the same access as a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card until October 1, 2021. Therefore, you do not need to rush to apply for your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card.
IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on October 1, 2021, and you wait to renew until September 30, 2021, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than September 1, 2021, if you will need to fly on or soon after October 1, 2021, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.
Do I need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card for boarding domestic flights or accessing certain federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses?
Yes, effective October 1, 2021, if you do not hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements.
What is the cost of obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?
Transaction and processing fees for new and renewal applications will be the same as they are currently.
Click here for detailed fee information. You may also apply for an early duplicate license or ID card outside of your regular renewal period (which is six months prior to the expiration of your license or ID card).
Missouri law allows for a one-time waiver of the duplicate transaction fee for persons who have not been issued a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card. License office processing fees, however, will not be waived and are $2.50 (three-year issuance) or $5 (six-year issuance). Personal information may be changed as part of a duplicate one-time waiver transaction, but if you are applying for a different class of licensure or to add any endorsements or restrictions, the one-time waiver will not apply.
Based on the date my current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card expires and assuming I do not hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements, when do I need to apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card for the purposes of domestic air travel, accessing certain federal facilities and entering nuclear power plants?
If your current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card expires:
On or after March 25, 2019, but before October 1, 2021:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted Missouri an extension to comply with the REAL ID Act and its regulations that will allow you to continue using your current Missouri-issued license or ID card until October 1, 2021, regardless of whether it is REAL ID-compliant. Therefore, you can apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card at your next regularly scheduled renewal.
On or after October 1, 2021; or if you are 70 years of age or older and hold a nonexpiring nondriver license:
Your next regularly scheduled license or ID card renewal will not occur until after REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will be required for the above purposes. If you need to use a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, this means you will need to apply for one prior to October 1, 2021.
IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on October 1, 2021, and you wait to renew until September 30, 2021, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than September 1, 2021, if you will need to fly on or soon after October 1, 2021, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.
How can I obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?
You can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card at one of Missouri’s more than 170 license office locations. You will be required to submit the following valid, original documents demonstrating proof of each item at the time you apply:
1. Identity (one acceptable document to verify full legal name and date of birth);
2. Lawful Status in the United States (one acceptable document to verify United States citizenship or immigration status);
3. Social Security Number (one acceptable document);
4. Missouri Residency (two acceptable documents verifying your Missouri residential address); and
5. Additional items may be required if your name is different from the name on your identity and date of birth verification document.
Utilize the Department's interactive guide to ensure you have the documents required to apply for your REAL ID.
You may also refer to our complete list of acceptable documents for REAL ID-compliant license and ID card processing.
IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on October 1, 2021, and you wait to renew until September 30, 2021, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than September 1, 2021, if you will need to fly on or soon after October 1, 2021, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: https://dor.mo.gov/drivers/real-id-information/
Information taken directly from: https://dor.mo.gov/drivers/real-id-information/
