REAL ID pre-verification begins in Pennsylvania

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Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Pennsylvania's REAL ID registration opens
Pennsylvania's REAL ID registration opens. Matt O'Donnell reports during Action News Mornings on September 4, 2018.

PennDOT begins pre-verifying residents on Tuesday to receive REAL IDs.[br /][br /]This means, when REAL IDs are available in March 2019, customers can apply for their REAL ID online instead of having to go back to the driver license center.[br /][Ads /][br /]Pennsylvanians will eventually have to show the new kind of ID to board domestic commercial flights, if you don't have a passport or another approved form of identification.[br /][br /][b]Getting a REAL ID is optional and not necessary to drive.[/b][br /][br /]Beginning October 1, 2020, in order to fly or enter a federal building or military installation that require ID, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID compliant driver's license, identification card, or acceptable, alternative ID that's approved by the TSA such as a valid passport or military ID.[br /][br /][youtube ID="Q2t4UsvLVg0" /][br /][br /]Federal Real ID standards take effect in Pennsylvania on October 10, 2018, although the Wolf administration is asking the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for an extension.[br /][br /]PennDOT says until May 2017, Pennsylvania law prohibited them from complying with the federal REAL ID Act. Act 3 of 2017 repealed this prior legislation and allowed PennDOT to seek REAL ID compliance.[br /][br /]In order to pre-qualify, PennDOT will need to verify your identity, your social security number, and your Pennsylvania residency, even if you already have a Pennsylvania driver's license or photo ID card.[br /][br /]PennDOT's 71 Driver's License Centers will be equipped to verify these documents for customers who want a REAL ID.[br /][Ads /][br /]All documents must be original versions or certified copies (if applicable), no photocopies will be accepted.[br /]PennDOT has released [url HREF="https://www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID/Pages/REAL-ID-Document-Check.aspx[br /]" TARGET="blank" REL=""]a checklist[/url] on what documents you should bring to the license center for pre-verification.[br /][br /]A REAL ID will cost $30. The expiration date of your first REAL ID license or ID card will include any time remaining on your current license or ID card, plus an additional four years.[br /]Online:[br /][url HREF="https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Pages/REAL-ID-Frequently-Asked-Questions.aspx" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Frequently Asked Questions[/url][br /][Ads /][br /][url HREF="http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DVSPubsForms/BDL/BDL%20Publications/PUB%20813.pdf" TARGET="" REL=""]REAL ID Brochure [/url][br /][url HREF="https://www.dhs.gov/real-id" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Homeland Security: REAL ID[/url][br /]------[br /][b][url HREF="http://6abc.cm/2BucH0r" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Send a News Tip to Action News[/url][/b][br /][b][url HREF="http://6abc.cm/2Gcv09s" TARGET="blank" REL=""]Learn More About 6abc Apps[/url][/b]