The REAL ID In Michigan State

Your driver's license serves as an identification document and provides you with the freedom of the open road. A driver's license allows you to vote, enter certain federal buildings, and board domestic flights. However, as of 2023, your driver's license will need to be updated before you can fly.

What Is REAL ID?

The federally mandated REAL ID law takes effect on May 3, 2023, and if you travel by air, this law will affect you. REAL ID is a post-9/11 federal requirement that establishes higher identification security standards. Once implemented, a REAL ID will be required to board any United States flight or enter certain federal facilities. A REAL ID can be a U.S. passport. A passport or an Enhanced Driver's License are required, or you can convert your standard driver's license to a REAL ID at the Secretary of State's office. The REAL ID mandate goes into effect on May 3, 2023. After the deadline, you can still convert your license or ID to REAL ID at a Secretary of State office. You do not need to convert your license or ID to become REAL ID-compliant. However, beginning in May 2023, you will be required to show a REAL ID document whenever you:
  • Take a domestic flight in the United States.
  • Enter a military installation or a nuclear power plant.
  • Visit some federal buildings.
You are already REAL ID-compliant if you have a valid, unexpired Michigan enhanced license or ID, a U.S. passport, or a DHS Trusted Traveler's card. After May 3, 2023, you can still use your valid, unexpired standard license or ID as legal identification for cashing checks, renting vehicles, purchasing alcohol and tobacco, and entering casinos. A standard license or ID will say "Not for Federal Identification."

License To REAL ID Conversion

Visit a Secretary of State's office and bring the following documents with you to convert to REAL ID:
  • Your current Michigan driver's license or identification card.
  • A valid, unexpired United States passport, birth certificate, or other document proving legal presence in the United States
  • If your name differs from your birth certificate, you must obtain a certified legal name change document.
There is no additional charge if you convert to REAL ID while renewing or replacing your license or ID. Otherwise, a correction fee of $9 for the license and $10 for the ID is required to convert to a REAL ID.

How To Get REAL ID?

Residents of Michigan can apply for a REAL ID card at any time, or they can wait until the time comes to renew their current driver's license.
  • Schedule an appointment. A REAL ID card cannot be obtained by mail or online; in-person appointments are required. You can schedule an appointment by clicking on this link.
  • Your photo will be taken at the appointment, and you must pay all applicable fees. If you apply during your normal renewal period, there is no additional fee.
  • Bring your Michigan driver's license or state ID card, a government-issued birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, or approved citizenship or legal presence document.
  • You must also bring in a certified name-change document, such as a marriage license or court order, for people whose name differs from their birth certificate, including women who have changed their names through marriages.
  • Additional documentation is required if your REAL ID is your first driver's license or state ID card.

Eligibility

Suppose you are a legally present non-U.S. citizen. In that case, You can apply for a REAL ID driver's license or ID card as a citizen, including permanent and non-permanent residents, or convert your current Michigan driver's license or state ID into a REAL ID by scheduling a visit to a Michigan Secretary of State office and bringing the required legal presence document. It's worth noting that some non-US citizens already have documents that qualify as REAL IDs and will be accepted for domestic flights when the law goes into effect on May 3, 2023. These are some examples:
  • Permanent resident card
  • Foreign government-issued passport
  • Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)