Plan Ahead for REAL ID Compliance

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding residents that beginning May 7, 2025, anyone traveling by plane domestically or entering certain federal facilities will need a Registry-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport. The Registry is strongly encouraging everyone seeking a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card to go online now at Mass.Gov/REALID to learn what documents are needed for a required in-person appointment. Appointments to upgrade to REAL ID are available now, and several RMV service centers offer Saturday appointments. Customers who already have a compliant credential may renew online as long as they have not had a name change.

The fee to obtain or renew a REAL ID compliant credential is the same as obtaining or renewing the equivalent non-compliant credential:

• The fee for renewing a non-commercial standard or a REAL ID driver’s license is $50.
• The fee for renewing a Mass ID is $25.
• The amendment fee for upgrading to a standard or REAL ID credential before an existing credential’s expiration is $25.
• Customers with a less than five-year stay in the U.S. pay a pro-rated fee.

“We urge all Massachusetts residents who wish to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant credential to act as soon as possible,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “Go to Mass.Gov/REALID and get informed on what you will need. It’s important to act now so you can gather all your required documents, and to order any replacement documents that may be needed, particularly if you had a legal name change.”

Appointments can be scheduled by visiting the RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/myRMV or if you are a AAA member at https://northeast.aaa.com/automotive/registry-services/massachusetts.html.

The RMV has posted helpful information on REAL ID requirements that customers can use to prepare for their in-person visits, including convenient document checklists to help pre-stage REAL ID applications, at Mass.Gov/REALID. Documents required for this transaction include:

• proof of lawful presence,
• two (2) proofs of Massachusetts residency, and
• proof of a full Social Security Number (SSN).

Customers who have had a name change since the issuance of a birth certificate, passport, or other lawful presence document, will need to show the reason for the name change by presenting documentation like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document. These required documents must be original or certified versions. The RMV recommends customers gather these documents well in advance of appointments to ensure they have the information required by federal law.

Currently, Massachusetts is at 55 percent REAL ID adoption, with over 3 million credentials being REAL ID-compliant. Customers are eligible to renew up to one year in advance of the expiration date printed on their license or ID.

Prior to May 7, 2025, customers will not need a federally compliant REAL ID for the purposes of boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities.

For additional information and details on these and other RMV service offerings, please visit Mass.Gov/RMV.