New Jersey Residents Can Now Obtain REAL ID-Compliant Driver’s Licenses
Starting October 1, 2020, travelers will need a new form of identification to board domestic flights, enter federal facilities, and visit military bases. This new identification is known as a REAL ID, and New Jersey residents can now obtain REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards, in an effort to make them more secure and harder to counterfeit. REAL ID-compliant cards have a star in the upper right-hand corner, indicating that they meet these new security standards.
New Jersey began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards in May 2019. To obtain a REAL ID, residents must visit a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office in person and provide certain documentation. The required documents include proof of identity, such as a valid passport or birth certificate, proof of Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form, and proof of New Jersey residency, such as a utility bill or bank statement.
In addition to these documents, residents must also provide proof of any name changes, such as a marriage certificate or court order. The cost of a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is the same as a standard driver’s license, $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license.
Obtaining a REAL ID can be a time-consuming process, as residents must visit an MVC office in person and provide all required documentation. However, having a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license will be necessary for certain activities, such as domestic air travel or accessing federal buildings.
New Jersey residents who already have a valid U.S. passport or another form of REAL ID-compliant identification, such as a military ID, do not need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license. However, for those who do not have a passport or another form of REAL ID-compliant identification, obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is essential.
The deadline for obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is fast approaching, so New Jersey residents are encouraged to start the process as soon as possible. The MVC has been working to streamline the REAL ID application process and reduce wait times at MVC offices.
Overall, the introduction of REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses in New Jersey is an important step in enhancing security and protecting against identity theft. By obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, residents can ensure that they have the necessary identification to board domestic flights and access federal facilities after October 1, 2020.
In conclusion, New Jersey residents now have the opportunity to obtain REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses, which will be required for certain activities starting October 1, 2020. By following the necessary steps and providing the required documentation, residents can ensure that they have the necessary identification to comply with the REAL ID Act. The MVC is working to make the application process as smooth as possible, and residents are encouraged to begin the process of obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license as soon as possible.
