It's crunch time at PennDOT service centers, where there's less than a month to get a Real ID before the TSA's May 7 deadline to have one if you plan to board an airplane.
As of Monday, about 27 percent of Pennsylvanians have one.
PennDOT secretary Mike Carroll says while the deadline isn't changing, some travelers can afford to wait before getting their Real ID.
“If you have a passport or if you’re not going to travel until June, probably the smart thing to do is wait until after May the 7th so the lines aren’t as bad at the driver’s license centers,” said Carroll.
If you need a Real ID by the May 7 deadline, make sure you actually have what you really need before you go to a license center.
“You have to get a duplicate Social Security card, which would require an interaction with the Social Security Administration, you may need documents from your county courthouse to prove marriages and divorces and such and of course, a birth certificate from the state where you were born,” said Carroll.
Carroll adds that people who already have their Real ID but need other PennDOT services, to do those online if possible to avoid the current crowds at service centers.
Here is what you need if you are going for your Real ID (from PA’s website): More info here.
You will need to provide ONE document proving your identity and your lawful status in the United States when applying for a REAL ID.
If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, acceptable documents include:
A United States birth certificate with a raised seal, issued by an authorized government agency, including U.S. territories and Puerto Rico Please note: souvenir or hospital certificates will not be accepted — it must be an original or certified copy filed with a U.S. state or territory office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in your state of birth A valid, unexpired United States passport or passport card Certificate of U.S. Citizenship (USCIS Form N-560 or Form N-561) Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the U.S. Department of State (Form FS-240, DS-Form 1350 or FS-Form 545) Certificate of Naturalization issued by DHS (Form N-550 or N-570) Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (EAD) issued by DHS; Forms I-766 or Form 1-688B Valid, Unexpired Permanent Resident Card I-551 Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) Issued by DHS or INS Unexpired foreign passport with an unexpired U.S. visa affixed, and an I-94 indicating temporary evidence of permanent residence Proof of Social Security Number
You must present one of the following documents when applying for a REAL ID (NOTE: Proof of Social Security Number must be in your current legal name and display the full nine-digit number):
A Social Security card;
A W-2 form;
A SSA-1099 form;
A non-SSA-1099 form; or
A pay stub.
The name on your social security proof MUST MATCH the name on your proof of identity document. Social Security Cards must also be original.
Proof of your Pennsylvania Residency
You will need to provide TWO documents to prove your Pennsylvania residency when applying for a REAL ID. Examples of acceptable residency documents include:
Current, unexpired PA driver's license or photo ID card PA vehicle registration card Auto insurance card A computer-generated utility bill showing your name and address A W-2 form Tax records Lease agreements or mortgage documents
Proof of Legal Name or Date of Birth Change
If your current legal name or date of birth is different from the information on your birth certificate or legal status document, you must show legal proof of the change. Please note: If you are using a passport as your proof of identity and your passport reflects your current name, YOU DO NOT NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF NAME CHANGE.
If you have been married more than once, you need to show a marriage certificate that shows the transition between names. You ONLY need to show your divorce decree if it states that you are reverting to your previous name.