REAL ID 

Questions and Answers

 What is REAL ID?

 “REAL ID” comes from the REAL ID Act of 2005, a federal law that focused on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver license and nondriver license identification card (ID card) security. The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards.The Missouri Department of Revenue has been working to meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act and remains on track to achieve full implementation in 2019.

Beginning October 1, 2020, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights. Also beginning October 1, 2020, individuals must present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses, and to enter nuclear power plants.

 Do I need a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

 It depends. Effective October 1, 2020, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card, or another form of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, for boarding domestic flights. Also beginning October 1, 2020, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities, including military bases and federal courthouses, and to enter nuclear power plants.

You are not required and likely do not need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card if:

  • You will not need one for any of the above purposes on or after October 1, 2020; or
  • You hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements, such as a valid U.S. passport or passport card. 

 Does Missouri law require me to hold a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

 No. Under Missouri law, applying for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card is your choice. Issuance of a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card is not mandatory. 

 When will I be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license, nondriver ID card, or other another form of identification that meets federal requirements, to board domestic flights, access federal facilities and enter nuclear power plants?

 October 1, 2020. Prior to October 1, 2020, you can continue to use your current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card, regardless of whether it is REAL ID-compliant.

 When will Missouri’s REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver ID cards be available?

 You can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card beginning March 25, 2019. 
REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will not be available prior to that date. Please note: the current Missouri-issued license and ID card will afford you the same access as a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card until October 1, 2020. Therefore, you do not need to rush to apply for your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card. 

IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on October 1, 2020, and you wait to renew until September 30, 2020, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than September 1, 2020, if you will need to fly on or soon after October 1, 2020, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.

 Do I need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card for:

    •  Driving

    •  Voting or registering to vote

    •  State purposes

    •  Age verification

 No. The REAL ID Act does not invalidate any previously issued Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card. 
It does not affect current use of your license or ID card for the purpose of driving, voting or registering to vote, State purposes, or for age verification.

 Do I need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card for:

    •  Boarding domestic flights
    •  Accessing certain federal facilities, included military bases and federal courthouses

    •  Entering a nuclear power plant

 Yes, effective October 1, 2020, if you do not hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements.

 What is the cost of obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

 Transaction and processing fees for new and renewal applications will be the same as they are currently. 

Click here for detailed fee information. You may also apply for an early duplicate license or ID card outside of your regular renewal period (which is six months prior to the expiration of your license or ID card). 

Missouri law allows for a one-time waiver of the duplicate transaction fee for persons issued a license or ID card prior to when REAL ID licenses and ID cards are available. License office processing fees, however, will not be waived and are $2.50 (3-year issuance) or $5.00 (6-year issuance). Personal information may be changed as part of a duplicate one-time waiver transaction, but if you are applying for a different class of licensure or to add any endorsements or restrictions, the one-time waiver will not apply.

 Based on the date my current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card expires and assuming I do not hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements, when do I need to apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card for the purposes of domestic air travel, accessing certain federal facilities and entering nuclear power plants?

 If your current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card expires:

  • Prior to March 25, 2019
    • REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will not be available until March 25, 2019; therefore, if you renew your license or ID card before then, you will receive the current, Missouri-issued license or ID card, which can be used for REAL ID purposes until October 1, 2020, even though it is not REAL ID-compliant. If you will require a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card as of October 1, 2020, you can apply for one after they are available by requesting a duplicate transaction prior to the October 1, 2020 compliance date.  

  • On or after March 25, 2019, but before October 1, 2020
    • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted Missouri an extension to comply with the REAL ID Act and its regulations that will allow you to continue using your current Missouri-issued license or ID card until October 1, 2020, regardless of whether it is REAL ID-compliant. Therefore, you can apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card at your next regularly scheduled renewal.

  • On or after October 1, 2020; or if you are 70 years of age or older and hold a nonexpiring nondriver license
    • Your next regularly scheduled license or ID card renewal will not occur until after REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will be required for the above purposes. If you need to use a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, this means you will need to apply for one prior to October 1, 2020.

IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on October 1, 2020, and you wait to renew until September 30, 2020, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than September 1, 2020, if you will need to fly on or soon after October 1, 2020, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.

 How can I obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

 You can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card at one of Missouri’s more than 170 license office locations. You will be required to submit the following valid, original documents demonstrating proof of each item at the time you apply:

  • Identity (one acceptable document to verify full legal name and date of birth);
  • Lawful Status in the United States (one acceptable document to verify United States citizenship or immigration status);
  • Social Security Number (one acceptable document);
  • Missouri Residency (two acceptable documents verifying your Missouri residential address); and
  • Additional items may be required if your name is different from the name on your identity and date of birth verification document.

Click here for a complete listing of acceptable documents for REAL ID-compliant license and ID card processing.

IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on October 1, 2020, and you wait to renew until September 30, 2020, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than September 1, 2020, if you will need to fly on or soon after October 1, 2020, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.

  What will Missouri’s REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver ID cards look like?

 Missouri’s REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver ID cards will have a gold star in the upper right hand corner. A license or ID card that is not compliant with REAL ID will have “Not for REAL ID Purposes” on the face of the document. Licenses and ID cards, whether they are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, may also be marked as “Limited Term” based on the type of document presented as verification of lawful status.

  What is not affected by the REAL ID Act?

 The REAL ID Act does not invalidate any previously issued Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card. It does not affect current uses of your license or ID card for purposes such as driving, voting or registering to vote, other State purposes, accessing federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification, age verification and more. 

  Is my current Missouri-issued driver license acceptable for driving under the REAL ID Act?

 The REAL ID Act does not invalidate any previously issued Missouri driver license. It does not affect current uses of your license or ID card for purposes such as driving, voting or registering to vote, other State purposes, accessing federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification, age verification and more. 

  Will a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card be issued for a different length of time than the current Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card?

 No. The issuance term for the current Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card, whether it is new or a renewal, will be the same as for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card. The issuance term will continue to be based on your date of birth, type of license or ID card, lawful status end date, and certain commercial driver license endorsements. Applicants applying for a duplicate license or ID card will be issued the same expiration date as that of their prior license or ID card on file, regardless of whether it was REAL ID-compliant.  

  Can I hold a valid REAL ID-compliant driver license and a valid REAL ID-compliant nondriver ID card at the same time?

 No. You cannot hold more than one valid REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card at the same time. For example, if you apply for a REAL ID-compliant Missouri license and also hold or want to apply for an ID card, the ID card will be issued as noncompliant. If you are transferring to Missouri from another state and hold a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, you must surrender any previously issued license or ID card.   

IMPORTANT: At the time you apply, Missouri will initiate inquiries to determine if you hold a valid license or ID card in any other state(s). Upon issuance of a Missouri license, ID card or permit notification, notice of your Missouri application will be sent to the prior state(s) of issuance; this may result in the cancellation of privileges in the prior state(s) of issuance.

  How does the REAL ID Act affect the issuance of Missouri driver licenses and nondriver ID cards?

 The REAL ID Act requires state licensing agencies to:

  • Ensure production facilities and personnel at license offices and other locations meet physical and procedural security standards for the production and issuance of driver licenses and nondriver ID cards; 
  • Ensure the submission, verification, and retention of source documents provided as proof of identity, lawful status, Social Security Number, and Missouri residency and mailing address; and   
  • Ensure all licenses and ID cards, whether they are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, include a compliance status marking.  
    • REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner.
    • Licenses and ID cards that are not compliant with the REAL ID Act will have “Not for REAL ID Purposes” on the face of the document.
    • Licenses and ID cards, whether they are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, may also be marked as “Limited Term” based on the type of document presented as verification of lawful status.   

This page will be updated with additional informational as necessary. For more information about the REAL ID Act, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at dhs.gov/real-id.