Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - With the May 7 federal REAL ID deadline just two months away, Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns is encouraging New Yorkers to visit a DMV office to get a REAL ID or Enhanced ID as soon as possible.
"The standard license is not good enough for you to (fly domesically). It is a federal ID or a valid passport," says Kearns in an interview with WBEN.
A REAL ID is also required for access to crossing the border going into Canada or Mexico, or any type of military base.
Kearns says there will be extended hours March 11 and March 22, plus a special event March 18 at the Lackawanna Senior Center. You can also make an appointment at the DMV.
“Although we have these expanded hours in our cheek to walk out location, please go because those are appointment only, and they're filling up quite quickly,” Kearns advised.
Kearns says you need the original birth certificate, the original social security card, if you had a name change and your standard license doesn't match what's on your birth certificate.
"It could be an original marriage certificate, but it has to be government documentation," Kearns explained.
Kearns says it should take about 15-to-20 minutes to process if you have the documentation. Once that's done, you should receive your REAL ID within two weeks. He says that prohibits last second bids.
"We can't turn around in a day or two, especially if they have an emergency after May 7, and they have to fly. From all indications we've been given, TSA is is going to fully implement that deadline of May 7," Kearns warned.
Passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the federal REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses, permits and ID cards.