The information in this news release is dated and may have changed since its publication date. For up-to-date REAL ID information, visit REALID.dps.mn.gov.
ST. PAUL — Nearly 22 percent of Rock County driver’s license and ID card holders are REAL ID ready. That percentage puts the county at the top of the REAL ID ready leaderboard.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, Minnesotans will not be able to use their standard driver’s license or ID card to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities. Instead, they will need a REAL ID, enhanced driver’s license or ID card, passport or passport card or another acceptable form of identification for federal purposes.
The top five REAL ID ready counties:
- Rock County – 21.80 percent
- Houston County – 17.31 percent
- Lyon County – 16.26 percent
- Carver County – 16.03 percent
- Cottonwood County – 15.97 percent
The five counties with the lowest percentage of REAL ID compliant card holders:
- Kanabec County – 5.80 percent
- Freeborn County – 5.64 percent
- Wadena County – 5.02 percent
- Aitkin County – 5.00 percent
- Pope County – 4.96 percent
“Minnesotans are listening, and they are taking action to get their REAL ID or enhanced driver’s license now ahead of the federal deadline,” Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Director Emma Corrie said. “If you haven’t applied for your REAL ID and are planning a vacation later this year, add it to your to-do list. Make sure you, your friends and your family members apply for a REAL ID now.”
REAL ID Scoreboard
More than 62,000 Minnesotans applied for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card or an enhanced driver’s license or ID card in January.
As of Jan. 30, there are a total of:
- 316,302 Minnesota REAL ID driver’s license and ID card holders.
- 251,241 Minnesota enhanced driver’s license and ID card holders.
- 4,146,583 Minnesota standard driver’s license and ID card holders.
That brings the total number of Minnesotans who are REAL ID ready to 567,543, or 12.04 percent of Minnesota driver’s license and identification card holders. That’s up from:
- 10.72 percent on Jan. 2, 2020.
- 9.72 percent on Nov. 27, 2019.
- 8.91 percent on Nov. 1, 2019.
- 7.8 percent on Sept. 27, 2019.
Track Minnesota’s progress online at REALID.dps.mn.gov.
More Minnesotans Applying for REAL IDs
More than 45 percent of driver’s license and ID card applications were for REAL IDs or enhanced driver’s licenses or ID cards in January. That’s up from:
- 34.25 percent in December
- 33.02 percent in November
- 34.92 percent in October
- 25.49 percent in September
REAL ID Required Documents
Minnesotans are required to provide additional documentation when applying for a REAL ID, compared to a standard driver’s license or ID card.
A person must provide the following in person when applying:
- One document proving identity, date of birth and legal presence in the United States.
- If the name on the identity document is not the same as a person's current name, a name change document must be submitted.
- One document proving social security number.
- If you have not updated your name change with the Social Security Administration, you must do so prior to applying for a Real ID.
- Two different documents proving current residency in Minnesota.
- Must have applicant’s current legal name and current address in Minnesota. A P.O. Box will not suffice as proof of current residency in Minnesota.
Applicants must provide original documents or documents certified by the agency that issued them. Laminated documents will not be accepted. Digital documents shown on your phone or other electronic device will also not be accepted. A full list of accepted documentation is on the REAL ID website.
Required Documents Update
The REAL ID Required Documents list previously indicated that an applicant was able to use two financial documents - such as a bank statement, canceled check, or credit card statement – for both proof of residency documents.
DVS reviewed the Federal Real ID documentation requirements and determined that only one financial document may be used for proof of residency. The second document must be another acceptable document from the REAL ID list.
Applications that were submitted prior to Jan. 28, 2020, that included two financial documents for proof of residency will be processed and will not be returned to the customer.
Pre-Apply OnlineThe best way to make sure applicants for a REAL ID or other license type have everything they need before they visit a driver’s license office is to pre-apply online at
drive.mn.gov. This feature allows Minnesotans to enter a significant portion of their application online, reducing the time they spend in the office. It also lists the required documents for each license type so applicants can have all necessary documents ready when they visit their local office.
New Language on Standard Minnesota Driver’s License Application:
DPS-DVS added an important notice to standard Minnesota driver’s license or ID applications as an added effort to inform customers when they are not applying for a REAL ID-compliant card. This message is printed on all standard driver’s license or ID card applications as of Jan. 28.
Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, a REAL ID, enhanced driver’s license or ID card, passport or passport card or another acceptable form of identification will be required to fly within the United States and enter federal facilities. A standard Minnesota driver’s license or ID will not be accepted for federal use as of that date, but it will still be valid for lawful driving privileges. For more information please ask the agent processing your application or visit REALID.dps.mn.gov.
When will I receive my REAL ID or EDL/EID?
DPS-DVS is working to process all driver’s license and ID card applications as quickly as possible. Here are the processing dates as of Jan. 30:
- Standard licenses and ID cards:
- DVS is currently processing standard applications from Dec. 30.
- REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards:
- DVS is currently processing REAL ID applications from Dec. 12.
- Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and ID cards:
- DVS is currently processing Enhanced applications from Dec. 4.
Renew Early
Any eligible Minnesotan can apply for a REAL ID now, but there is a fee in addition to the standard cost of the license or ID card. It depends on how early you renew.
- $2 for a renewal up to 17 months before expiration
- $4 for a renewal 18-29 months before expiration
- $6 for a renewal more than 29 months before expiration
When renewing early, four years will be added to the license or ID card’s original expiration date, so while an early renewal will cost a little more, the license or ID card will be valid for a longer period of time. The early renewal option is only for those who renewed their Minnesota driver’s license or ID card before REAL IDs were available on Oct. 1, 2018. Their licenses must also expire after the full enforcement date of Oct. 1, 2020.
Enhanced driver’s license or ID (EDL/EID)
State Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) are REAL ID-compliant and are acceptable for official federal purposes such as accessing a federal facility or boarding commercial aircraft. They are also designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and can be used to travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada and some Caribbean countries. Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are the only states that currently issue EDLs.
Minnesotans who have an enhanced driver’s license or ID (EDL/EID) can continue to use it to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities after Oct. 1, 2020.
REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions
- What documentation is required to apply for a REAL ID?
- A person must provide:
- One document proving identity, date of birth and legal presence in the United States.
- If the name on the identity document is not the same as a person’s current name, a name change document must be submitted.
- One document proving social security number.
- Two different documents proving current residency in Minnesota.
- What is the difference between a REAL ID and an enhanced driver’s license or ID card?
- REAL IDs:
- Are issued to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens.
- Cost the same as a standard license or ID card.
- Cannot be used as border crossing documents.
- Enhanced driver’s licenses and ID cards:
- Are federally-approved border crossing documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and can be used to travel by land or sea to Mexico, Canada and some Caribbean countries.
- Are only issued to U.S. citizens.
- Cost $15 more than a standard license or ID card.
- Require additional documentation that REAL IDs do not, such as proof of citizenship, proof of photographic identity and an interview questionnaire at the time of application.
- Why is it taking so long to receive my driver’s license?
- DPS-DVS updates current processing times on a weekly basis online. Minnesotans who have been waiting longer than the posted dates should contact DPS-DVS directly at dvs.driverslicense@state.mn.us or 651-297-3298. Include your full name and date of birth with your question in the email.
DPS-DVS is working to process driver’s license and ID card applications as quickly as possible. This effort includes voluntary overtime to additional DVS staff who can process applications in addition to their other workload. DPS-DVS is adding additional staff to process REAL ID and enhanced driver’s license or ID card applications.
What is the federal REAL ID Act?
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards. The Act refers to federal anti-terrorism laws and regulations that control access to:
- Federally regulated commercial aircraft.
- Federal facilities requiring identification to enter, such as military bases or nuclear power facilities.
For more information on acceptable forms of identification for boarding aircraft, please see
TSA’s website. Please check with individual federal facilities regarding their requirements.
Information from the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security:
How to stay updatedFind Minnesota REAL ID information and resources at the state’s website:
REALID.dps.mn.gov.
How to get help
- For driver services questions (licenses, ID cards, driver compliance and exams) send an email to dvs.driverslicense@state.mn.us, and include your full name and date of birth with your question. You can also call 651-297-3298.
- For vehicle services questions (ownership transfers, titles, liens and vehicle registration) visit the DVS website and submit your question using the vehicle services contact forms. You can also call 651-297-2126 or email dvs.motor.vehicles@state.mn.us and include your full name, date of birth, and license plate or VIN number with your question.
About the Minnesota Department Public Safety
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) comprises 11 divisions where 2,100 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.
About Driver and Vehicle Services
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DVS) is responsible for driver testing, driver licensing and maintenance of driver records; driver evaluation and compliance; motor vehicle title and registration; commercial vehicle registration; motor vehicle dealer licensing and regulation; and enforcement of no-fault insurance requirements.
2019 Statistics:
- 1.6 million driver’s license and ID cards issued.
- 1.74 million titles issued.
- 7.23 million vehicles registered.
- DVS’ Public Information Center handled more than 1.4 million phone calls and 106,000 email correspondences.
