Community Chat

[CherryHugs]

I heard that more is needed to get drivers license renewed now than just taking in your license!! Can anyone tell me what these things are that we need to take in? Thank you!

[nyc1]

That depends on what kind of license you are getting and what State you're in.  Here in Illinois a lot of people are getting Real ID Drivers Licenses that will allow you to travel on an airline after Oct without needing your passport.   I needed proof of my Social Security, Proof of signature, Proof of address (utility bill, etc), and if your name has changed, you will need something regarding that.   If you go online you can find out all the details.

Edited to add...  you also have to prove your citizenship, so you can bring a birth cert with a raised seal or your passport.  If your name is different than your birth cert, then you need info regarding your name change.  I brought my passport.  It was easier.  

[jeepgrl]

If you are getting a Real ID, here's what I needed. I went on the 20th of December and I am in the State of Pennsylvania so your state may be different.  I had my SS card, birth certificate (not the original, it has to have the raised seal) and 2 pieces of mail that showed my residence.  With all that and a check for $60, I had my real ID.  It took about an hour.   

Best advice - go onto the internet and look it up to see what you state might require.  If you have everything you need, you should have no trouble.

[jlkz]

@jeepgrl 

If you are married and changed your last name, you will need the marriage license from the county you were married in.  I had the original parish license which was not acceptable:  had to go to county courthouse and pay for a raised seal copy ( more money and time lost ).  Then back to license center and wait another hour to finish up the process.

As DH discovered not every driver license does the Real I’d after waiting an hour for his turn !

[Imaoldhippie]

The smart thing to do is check with your states DMV.  It will be on their website or you can call.

[CalminHeart]

In my state, people need their Social Security card, a piece of mail showing their address, and birth certificate or passport for their RealID driver's license.  

Every state has a website.  Look up what your state requires. 

[Illinoisborn]

The important thing to remember is that beginning October 1 of this year, you must have either a Real ID drivers license from your state or a passport in order to board a plane in the US. (There are a couple of exceptions that apply to very few people). Even if your current drivers license hasn't reached its expiration date, after October 1 it will not be accepted by TSA security.

It's important to pay attention to this and make sure you have the required identification if there's any possibility (for example, a family emergency or a vacation) you might have to get on an airplane after October 1. And remember, as the date gets closer and more people start paying attention to this requirement, the DMV lines will get longer.

As another poster said, check with your state's DMV for its specific documentation requirements.

[PINKdogWOOD]

@CherryHugs   You probably should google this in your own state/area just to be certain you take all of the right documents.

As well, give yourself plenty of time, yo'll be at you licesnce bureau for at the very least one hour but reality is, a good two hours. This process is time consuming.

[millieshops]

@CherryHugs   I got a very clear list from  Florida DMV. Last time I renewed my license.    A slight bit of extra searching your own files so you have the right info but once I had ID as listed the process was fast     I’m up for renewal soon again but I shouldn’t.have to repeat the process

I assume there could be slight differences from state to  state but the process is part of the Patriot Act that was passed after 9/11. The deadlines have already been extended.  I stopped reading them once I got my gold star. But I’m thinking every dmv knows.

[Somertime]

My state started two years ago to require a Real Id upon renewal of your license.  I brought with me my Social Security card, certified birth certificate, marriage license, passport, two forms of address.  My state runs you through the national data base to see if there are any violations from another state on a previous license.  If so, my state requires them to be taken care of before a new license is issued.

While waiting to be taken care of, another lady said she had been married more than once and had to bring in those marriage certificates as well.

You, only, need to do this once.  A hologram is placed on your license to prove you have complied.