In less than a month REAL ID requirements in New York state kick in. After the May 7 deadline, unless you have a valid passport, you will need a REAL ID to board a domestic flight or even enter certain federal buildings.
Below is The Record’s comprehensive guide to getting a REAL ID.
What is a REAL ID?
A REAL ID can be a Department of Motor Vehicles-issued driver’s license, learner’s permit, or non-driver ID. If your New York state license or ID does not have a star or a flag on it, then it’s not a REAL ID.
U.S. citizens can also get an Enhanced ID, which allows re-entry to the U.S. through land or sea from Canada, Mexico, and some countries in the Caribbean. This Enhanced ID is not, however, acceptable for air travel between these countries.
Photo courtesy Department of Motor Vehicles
What documents do I need?
The New York state DMV has a guide that generates the list of documents that you will need before you apply. The DMV REAL ID page stresses that they will not accept expired or outdated documents.
At minimum, you must provide documentation showing the following:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Two proofs of residency in New York state
- Lawful status
The necessary documents depend on many factors such as what you have available (e.g., in some cases, to provide an SSN, pay stubs, or a W-2 can suffice in the event of a lost Social Security Card), what kind of REAL ID you need, whether you use the same name in all your documents, and your citizenship status.
So, again, check the state DMV’s guide to make sure you have the correct and sufficient documents. The guide also gives an estimate of how much your REAL ID will cost.
How do I submit my documents to a DMV?
You have to be physically present at a DMV location to apply for a REAL ID. While a reservation is not required, the DMV strongly encourages it — if an office is experiencing long wait times, only those with a reservation will be permitted to enter.
That being said, with the REAL ID deadline less than a month away, it’s getting increasingly difficult to find slots.
You can view a list of DMV locations near you here, with addresses and hours.
The reservation system is separate, and outlines each DMV office that provides REAL ID appointments for each county.
For Westchester, it lists the following offices:
White Plains District Office: 1 Maple Ave., 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Yonkers 3rd Floor Office: 1 Larkin Plaza (3rd Floor), 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Yonkers District Office: 1 Larkin Plaza, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
Peekskill District Office: 1045 Park St., 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
West Haverstraw (Rockland County): 45 S. Route 9W Suite 50, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
American Automobile Association (AAA) members can also visit the following:
AAA Yonkers: 2349 Central Park Ave., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday
AAA Nanuet (Rockland County): 38 Rockland Plaza, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday
The Record attempted to make a reservation through the DMV’s reservation system. While, at the time of reporting, days were available in all Westchester DMV offices (the earliest date was May 8 — after the deadline — in the Yonkers District Office), the system would not allow the selection of a time slot.
If there are no reservations available, the DMV advises to check back the next day, as appointments are added daily.
The Record then called the DMV call center (call center numbers are (518) 486-9786 and (800) 698-2931.
An automated attendant picked up and asked for the kind of service needed, a ZIP code, and a preferred DMV office. And then it listed dates.
With the phone call, the earliest reservation The Record was able to make was for May 12 at 12:45 p.m., which was again after the deadline.
The DMV also published a video on how to get a New York state Real ID or Enhanced ID. More information can be found on the REAL ID section of the state DMV’s website.
Once you apply, you will receive a temporary document. It takes about two weeks for your new Enhanced and REAL ID to arrive in the mail.
