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About REAL ID
What it means for you
- If it’s time to renew your driver license or ID, you can upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant card for no additional fee (if the upgrade takes place at the same time as your renewal).
- If your current driver license or ID will not expire before 2023, and you wish to obtain a REAL ID-compliant card, the cost of a duplicate card will apply.
- Wisconsin offers both REAL ID-compliant and non-compliant driver licenses and ID cards. The cards look similar; REAL ID-compliant are marked with a µ, while non-compliant cards are marked “NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES.” Should you choose to continue to hold a non-compliant card, you will need another form of identification to board a plane or access federal sites.
- If you have a valid U.S. passport or another acceptable form of federal identification, you can use that for identification, in place of a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card. View list of Transportation Safety Administration approved documents.
What should I bring to DMV to get a REAL ID?
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, you must present additional documentation when you apply. Original document or certified copy (not a photocopy, fax or scan) from each category is required. Some documents may be used for more than one category, whereas some will only satisfy the requirements of a single category. The document categories include:
- Proof of Name and Date of Birth
- Proof of Legal Presence in the U.S.
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Name Change (if your name is different than what’s on your birth certificate, proof is needed for each name change)
- Proof of Address (two forms)
- Provide your Social Security Number
Use DMV’s interactive driver licensing guide to receive a personalized checklist of the required documents you will need to bring. It also allows you to pre-fill any required application(s), print and bring with you or submit electronically (if eligible). You may also be able to schedule an appointment for the DMV for faster service.
- Documentation
- Renewal information
- Check your status
- Reinstatement eligibility and requirements
- Getting a driver license
- New residents
Related services
What is REAL ID?
Beginning May 3, 2023, Michigan residents will need to present a REAL ID-compliant document to fly within the United States and enter certain federal facilities to comply with federal law. REAL ID requirements ensure the secure production and issuance of licenses and IDs to prevent copying or altering.
Deadlines and requirements
The REAL ID requirement takes effect May 3, 2023. You can still convert your license or ID to REAL ID after the deadline at a Secretary of State office.
You aren’t required to convert your license or ID to become REAL ID-compliant. However, beginning May 2023, you will need to present a REAL ID document when you:
- Board a domestic flight in the U.S.
- Enter a military base or nuclear power plant.
- Visit certain federal buildings.
If you have a valid, unexpired Michigan enhanced license or ID, U.S. passport, or DHS Trusted Traveler’s card, you are already REAL ID-compliant.
Converting to REAL ID
To convert to REAL ID, visit a Secretary of State office and provide the following documents:
- Your current Michigan driver’s license or ID.
- A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document
- A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.
There’s no added charge for converting to REAL ID if you do so at the time of renewing or replacing your license or ID. Otherwise, there is a correction fee ($9 for license; $10 for ID) to convert to REAL ID.
Schedule an office visit
Beginning May 3, 2023, you will need to show a REAL ID-compliant document to board a plane for domestic travel or to enter certain federal facilities, military bases, and nuclear power plants.
If your license or ID is not REAL ID compliant, you may show another REAL ID document, such as a valid U.S. passport or passport card.
You can still use your valid, unexpired standard license or ID as legal identification for cashing checks, renting vehicles, purchasing alcohol and tobacco, or entering casinos after May 3, 2023. A standard license or ID will have "Not for Federal Identification" printed on it.
No, a REAL ID will not be required for jury duty, even if it's in a federal building.
All state-issued identification will be accepted when voters are asked to show valid ID when voting. Regardless of whether a voter has a standard, enhanced or REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, the voter's card will be accepted as valid identification. Voters who do not have valid state-issued identification or another accepted identity document may sign an Affidavit of Identity.
If you are a lawfully present non-U.S. citizen, including permanent and non-permanent residents, you are eligible to apply for a REAL ID driver's license or ID card or turn your current Michigan driver's license or state ID into a REAL ID. In either case, you'll need to schedule a visit at a Michigan Secretary of State office and bring the required legal presence document.
It's important to note that some documents already in the possession of non-US citizens qualify as REAL ID and will be acceptable for flying domestically when the law goes into effect on May 3, 2023. These include:
- Permanent resident card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)