REAL ID Deadline Extending Once More

On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security extended the enforcement deadline for Maryland residents to obtain REAL IDs, which will be required to board domestic flights and enter some federal buildings, to May 7, 2025.

COVID-19-related backlogs in-state driver’s licensing bureaus necessitated the extension, officials said.

Many states automatically extended driver’s licenses and ID expiration dates and switched to appointment-only schedules.

88 percent of licensed drivers and identification card holders in Maryland—about 4.3 million people—are REAL ID compliant, significantly above the national average of 51 percent just reported by the Department of Homeland Security. In October, Ashley Millner, acting director of public relations for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, informed Patch that over 500,000 Marylanders need REAL IDs.

She said MDOT MVA provides various services to make REAL IDs easier to get. Most state branches may make appointments within one to three days, sometimes on the same day. Nearly 80% of branch customers finish their transactions in 15 minutes.

Bring REAL ID documents to MVA offices in person. Pre-booking is possible.

Maryland residents must supply their Social Security number, a written signature, and two proof-of-residence documents to get a legitimate ID.

Millner said Maryland individuals who have their Social Security number on file and validated with the MDOT MVA no longer need a Social Security card to get a REAL ID. MDOT MVA added six birth certificate printing branches.

Find more information on REAL IDs in Maryland.