ST. PAUL — While more Minnesotans are now REAL ID ready, there are about 3.7 million Minnesota license holders who will need to decide if they need a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification before the federal deadline of Oct. 1, 2020.
Approximately 10.72 percent of Minnesota driver’s license and identification card holders have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card. That’s up two percent since Nov. 1, 2019.
The federal REAL ID Act full enforcement deadline of
Oct. 1, 2020 is less than nine months away. As of that date, 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.
“This is good progress, but there are still many Minnesotans who will need a REAL ID come Oct. 1, 2020,” Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Director Emma Corrie said. “Don’t wait. If you want a REAL ID to fly later this year, apply for one now, and make sure you have everything you need before you visit an office.”
REAL ID Scoreboard
In the last month, nearly 47,000 Minnesotans applied for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card or an enhanced driver’s license or ID card.
As of Jan. 2, there are a total of:
- 274,817 Minnesota REAL ID driver’s license and ID card holders.
- 230,494 Minnesota enhanced driver’s license and ID card holders.
- 4,207,202 Minnesota standard driver’s license and ID card holders.
That brings the total number of Minnesotans who are REAL ID ready to 505,311, or 10.72 percent of Minnesota driver’s license and identification card holders. That’s up from:
- 9.72 percent on Nov. 27, 2019.
- 8.91 percent on Nov. 1, 2019.
- 7.8 percent on Sept. 27, 2019.
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.
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.
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.
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. 2:
- Standard licenses and ID cards:
- DVS is currently processing standard applications from Nov. 21.
- REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards:
- DVS is currently processing REAL ID applications from Nov. 6.
- Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and ID cards:
- DVS is currently processing Enhanced applications from Nov. 5.
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 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.
- Do I need a REAL ID if I have a passport?
- Minnesotans who have a valid U.S. passport or passport card can use it to board domestic flights or enter federal facilities even after Oct. 1, 2020. Minnesotans who do not wish to use their passport for domestic travel can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card to use for federal purposes beginning Oct. 1, 2020.
- 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.
Federal enforcement and identification requirements
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.
A recent
DPS Blog post has information to consider when deciding which license or ID card you need.
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.
