Anyone who would like to travel domestically or internationally do not have to worry about adding a key piece of information to their Iowa issued driver’s license for a couple more years.

The Real ID is a gold star in the upper right corner of a driver’s license, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security uses for anti-terrorism and fraud protection. The date for all individuals to be required to get the Real ID and to travel by airplane, ship or train has until May 1, 2023. The original required date was October 1, 2020. 

Guthrie County Treasurer Marci Schreck encourages all eligible individuals to get the Real ID now from her office. However, there are some required documents you must show in order to get the designation on your driver’s license. One of the required documents is a birth certificate, a valid passport, or most recent U.S. citizenship and immigration services document. The birth certificate must be the original copy from the county recorder’s office that you were born in.

Other required documents include Social Security card or a W-2 or 1099 with your Social Security number on it, along with either a current utility billing statement, bank or credit card statement, pay stub, or a piece of postmarked mail. The last required document is a marriage certificate if your last name changed from your birth certificate, a divorce decree with your name change or a court ordered petition for a name change. 

The documents must be the originals and not photocopies. Shreck asks anyone interested in getting the Real ID for $10 to schedule an appointment with her office by calling 641-747-3414.