Anyone looking to travel by certain means after May 7th are required to have the Real ID on their driver’s license. 

Greene County Treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen tells Raccoon Valley Radio the Real ID is a star designation that is on a driver’s license as another layer of protection to ensure you are who you say you are. After May 7th, Mechaelsen points out that the Real ID will be required to fly, ride the train, go on a cruise ship, or enter federal government buildings. She explains the required documents needed to apply for the Real ID include your current driver’s license, Social Security card or a form that has the full Social Security number on it, two pieces of mail with your physical street address, and a state certified birth certificate or a valid passport. Mechaelsen describes what the state certified birth certificate will look like.

“When looking at your birth certificate, you want to make sure that there is a certified stamp somewhere located on that birth certificate, it’s usually like a raised seal. If you guys do not have one, you need to go to the county in which you were born or state in which you were born and apply for a duplicate.” 

Mechaelsen strongly encourages any married couples that have a different last name than their maiden name to contact the Social Security Administration Office before applying for a Real ID. She emphasizes that anyone who wants to get the Real ID and does not have to renew their driver’s license that it is a $10 fee for a duplicate with the Real ID on it, but it will be more if your driver’s license needs to be renewed or because it expired. She reveals that the state has up to 30 days to mail a new license with the star designation, but her office will give the applicant an interim license.

“The paper copy that you get when you walk out of our office is not going to have the star. So people need to realize that just because you bring me your documents, it’s not going to have the star on the paper copy. You’re going to have to wait for that to be mailed to you, that will show the star on it.”

Mechaelsen recommends contacting the airline, cruise ship, or train station of what they require for children and if they need their own ID, then the same process is required for the Real ID. She adds that the Greene County Treasurer’s Office will accept anyone who wants a Real ID and can stop into their office during the week, except for Tuesdays, as no scheduled appointments will be accepted. She says if an individual is applying for a Real ID who is out of county, there will be an additional $10 fee.