Are New Jersey Licenses Valid Airport Id?

New Jersey drivers' licenses have been accepted as valid identification at airports, but this is set to change. The state has been granted several extensions to meet the federal Real ID requirements, which mandate a more secure license that meets federal homeland security standards. While New Jersey has been offering Real IDs since September 2019, there was a final extension granted until October 2020. Now, every air traveller 18 years of age and older needs a Real ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport or military ID, to fly within the United States.

New Jersey Real ID requirements

New Jersey began issuing REAL ID driver’s licenses in 2020, and the original deadline to get one was October 2020. The deadline has been extended four times, with the most recent deadline being May 7, 2025.

A REAL ID is a more secure, federally-mandated document that will be accepted at airports as identification and to enter federal buildings. The law was passed after being recommended by the 9/11 Commission that investigated the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. Individuals without lawful status in the U.S. are not eligible to obtain a Real ID.

While a REAL ID is not required in New Jersey, it is a good idea to get one if you plan to use your driver's license to fly domestically or enter federal buildings, as this will not be possible without a REAL ID after the deadline.

To obtain a REAL ID, you must make an appointment on the MVC website and bring the following documents to your appointment:

• Two proofs of residential address
• One proof of social security number
• Six points of Identification, including one primary and two secondary forms

Proofs of residential address can include:

• A valid N.J. driver license or non-driver identification card, or a Motor Vehicle Commission-issued driver license renewal form (displaying residential address)
• A utility or credit card bill issued in the past 90 days
• An original, unexpired lease or rental agreement
• A tax bill, statement or receipt, and/or any letter or correspondence received from the IRS or tax office within the past year
• First-class mail from any government agency in the past six months
• If under 18, a statement from a parent or guardian certifying the address of the applicant

Proofs of social security number can include:

• A Social Security Card (if you know your Social Security number but don’t have an actual card, you can enter it on the REAL ID application and MVC will verify it electronically)
• A pay stub with your name and full SSN
• A W-2 or 1099 Form issued within the past year

Primary forms of ID include:

• An unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
• A U.S. or U.S. Territory birth certificate certified copy filed with a state office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in the individual’s state of birth
• A U.S. Department of State birth certificate (Form FS-545 or DS-1350)
• A U.S. Department of State Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240)
• A Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550, N-578, or N-570)
• A Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561)
• A Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) issued by USCIS (with expiration date)
• An unexpired foreign passport with valid visa and I-94 (stamp or form version)
• A photo employment authorization card (USCIS Form I-688B or I-766)

Secondary forms of ID include:

• An unexpired standard photo driver license from N.J. or any state, or U.S. Territory, and the District of Columbia
• An unexpired standard non-driver identification card from NJ only
• A Social Security card
• A bank/credit union statement or record (within the past 60 days)
• An ATM/debit card with printed name and applicant’s signature (ATM/debit card and bank statement cannot be submitted together)
• A current health insurance card or prescription card displaying applicant’s name
• A current employee identification card with pay stub
• A state professional license
• A N.J. public assistance card with photo (also known as an N.J. Social Services identification card)
• A high school diploma, GED, or college degree
• A property tax statement, bill, or receipt issued by an N.J. municipality
• For N.J. high school students: a waiver certificate for the written portion of the driver’s test
• A Veterans Administration universal access photo identification card
• An unexpired federal government employee driver license
• An unexpired federal government employee photo identification card
• U.S. military discharge papers (Form DD-214)
• An FAA pilot license
• A U.S. school photo identification card with transcript or school records
• A U.S. college photo identification card with transcript
• A legal name change court order signed by a judge or court clerk
• A civil marriage or civil union certificate or divorce decree
• U.S. adoption papers
• A current U.S. military photo identification card or a current U.S. military dependent card or a
• A U.S. military photo retiree card
• An NJ firearm purchaser card
• An unexpired REAL ID driver license, non-driver identification card, or probationary license from any state, U.S. territory, and the District of Columbia

Valid ID at airports

As of May 2023, only Real ID licenses are accepted as proof of identity for domestic air travel in the US. This means that standard driver's licenses or those labeled "Not for Real ID purposes" are no longer valid forms of identification at airports. New Jersey started issuing Real ID licenses and non-driver ID cards in September 2019.

To obtain a Real ID license, New Jersey residents must make an appointment and visit a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agency. The cost of upgrading an existing license to a Real ID license for passenger vehicles is $11 if the license has not expired. If the license has expired, a Real ID license will cost the same as a standard license renewal.

It is important to note that a Real ID license is not required for air travel if individuals have other acceptable forms of ID, such as a U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID. These forms of identification will also be accepted at airport security.

The Real ID law was passed in response to the 9/11 terror attacks and establishes minimum security standards for driver's licenses and identification cards. The deadline for implementing Real ID has been extended multiple times, but federal officials have stated that further extensions are unlikely.

Extensions for New Jersey

New Jersey has been granted several extensions by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to meet the requirements of the federal Real ID Act. This Act was passed in 2005 in response to the 9/11 terror attacks and recommended by the 9/11 Commission that investigated the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 2001. The Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards, which are accepted as proof of identity at airports and federal facilities.

New Jersey was initially granted an extension in January 2016, and subsequent extensions in 2017 and 2018, with the last extension granted in October 2018, lasting until October 2019. These extensions were based on the state's progress toward meeting the Real ID requirements, which included upgrading its computer systems and changing some of its processes for issuing licenses.

The state started its journey toward Real ID compliance in 2011 when the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) introduced the "enhanced digital driver's" license, which contained over 20 overt and covert security features. In 2012, the MVC also changed the documents it accepted from drivers to conform with federal Real ID standards.

Despite these efforts, New Jersey missed the October 2020 deadline for full compliance with the Real ID requirements. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting backlog at motor vehicle departments caused further delays, leading to the deadline being pushed back to May 3, 2023.

New Jersey residents can continue to use their current driver's licenses as identification at airports until the new deadline. However, federal officials have warned that there will likely be no further extensions granted. To avoid any issues, residents are encouraged to obtain a Real ID-compliant driver's license or a valid U.S. passport, military ID, or other federally approved identification for air travel within the United States.

Non-Real ID licenses

The REAL ID Act prohibits certain federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and TSA, from accepting non-compliant licenses and identification cards for specific purposes. These purposes include:

• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
• Accessing certain federal facilities
• Entering nuclear power plants

While the REAL ID Act sets standards for identification at airports, non-Real ID licenses are still currently accepted as valid forms of identification at airports across the US. However, this is subject to change. From May 7, 2025, every state resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel and to enter certain federal facilities. This deadline has been pushed back multiple times, initially from October 1, 2020, to October 1, 2021, and then to May 3, 2023, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

New Jersey started issuing Real ID licenses in September 2019, and they are now available at all state Motor Vehicle Commission agencies. The state has issued approximately 235,000 Real IDs as of December 31, 2021, out of 6.4 million licensed drivers.

It is important to note that there is no requirement to obtain a Real ID license, as other forms of identification, such as a passport, are also accepted. Additionally, a REAL ID license is not necessary for driving or voting, banking, or applying for benefits or employment.

Alternatives to Real ID

As of May 7, 2025, U.S. residents will need a Real ID-compliant form of identification for domestic air travel. However, there are several alternatives to a Real ID that can be used instead. Here are some options:

• U.S. Passport or Passport Card: U.S. passports meet the requirements for Real ID, so if you already have one, you can use it for domestic travel without needing to get a Real ID. Passport cards are also available and can be used as a more convenient alternative to carrying your passport. These cards are ID-sized and contain all the necessary information to get through airport security. They cost $65 for first-time applicants.
• Global Entry Card: Global Entry is a program that allows faster customs and immigration clearance when returning to the U.S., and it includes TSA PreCheck benefits. A Global Entry membership card meets federal requirements for Real ID and can be used at airport security checkpoints. However, there is currently a massive backlog of applications for Global Entry, so it may not be an option if you need to travel soon.
• Enhanced Driver's License: Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) are issued by a handful of states (Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont) and are meant to aid in crossing land or sea borders with Canada and Mexico. These licenses will also qualify for Real ID purposes and can be used for domestic air travel.
• Other Federal ID Cards: Several other types of federal ID cards will also work as alternatives to Real ID, including military IDs, permanent resident cards, border crossing cards, and federally recognized tribal IDs.
• Foreign Government-Issued Passport: If you are travelling in the U.S. with a foreign passport, this can also be used as an alternative to Real ID.

Frequently asked questions