Minnesota REAL ID
REAL ID cards offer federal identification when boarding domestic flights. Standard Minnesota ID/Licence cards will be valid for state identification and driving even after 10/01/21, but will not be valid for federal identification or domestic flights unless you also provide a current, valid passport.
Time Remaining Until REAL ID Requirements Take Effect
Open to the Public!Office Location & Hours
Appointments & Walk-ins
For your convenience, we encourage you to schedule an appointment for License Services, however, we will continue to accept walk-in customers on a first-come, first-served basis. If the License Service Department reaches capacity on a given day for walk-in transactions, customers will be informed upon entering the building in St. Louis Park.
What do I Need to Apply for REAL ID?
You will need at least four documents to apply for a REAL ID. See the chart below for a description of the needed documentation, as well as the most commonly used documents that fulfill those requirements.
Required Documents for REAL ID
- Required documents must be printed out
- Laminated documents are not accepted
- The same document cannot be used for
more than one requirement
Required Document Description | Most Commonly Used Documentation | Full List of Accepted Documentation |
---|---|---|
One (1) document proving:
If the name on the identity document is not the same as a person's current name, a name change document must be submitted. |
Unexpired Passport or Birth Certificate |
See all accepted documents for identity, DoB, and legal presence |
One (1) 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. |
Social Security Card |
See all accepted documents for social security number |
Two (2) different documents proving current residency in Minnesota Must have applicant’s name as used at print and current address in Minnesota. A P.O. Box will not suffice as proof of current residency in Minnesota. |
Unexpired MN Driver's License/ID (must have current address) Bank/Credit Card Statement issued in the last 12 months |
See all accepted documents for current residency |
Yes: If you need to board a domestic flight on or after 10/01/21 AND any of the following apply:
- You do not have a valid passport
- You do not want to carry your passport for domestic travel
- You do not have an Enhanced ID card
No: If you need to board a domestic flight on or after 10/01/21 AND any of the following apply:
- You have a current passport that you are willing to carry for all domestic flights
- You have an Enhanced ID card
- You will not need to board any flights
Standard driver's license cards will continue to be valid for the following after 10/01/21:
- Driving
- Voting or registering to vote
- Entering federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification
- Applying or receiving federal benefits
- Accessing health or life-preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics), law enforcement or constitutionally-protected activities (including a defendant's access to court proceedings)
- Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations
Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services publishes on their website the dates of ID & license applications they are currently processing. You may use this information as a reference for how long it may take to receive your new card.
REAL ID Application Processing Times
Processing times may increase as more applications for REAL ID are submitted.
- Certification of marriage certified by the issuing government jurisdiction
- Certified court order that specifies the name change
- Certified divorce decree or dissolution of marriage that specifies the name change
The TSA does not require children under age 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification.
You can compare the differences between a REAL ID and an Enhanced card with the chart on our Driver's Licenses, Permits & ID Cards page.
Pre-Apply for REAL ID Online
Save time at the counter by completing the online pre-application!
Documents Accepted to Prove Identity, Date of Birth and Legal Presence in the US
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport, passport booklet or passport card
- Certified copy of birth certificate issued by a government bureau of vital statistics or equivalent agency in the applicant's state of birth. This must bear the raised or authorized seal of the issuing government entity
- Consular report of birth abroad, certification of report of birth, or certification of birth abroad (form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545) issued by the United States Department of State
- Valid, unexpired permanent resident card (Form I551) issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security or the former Immigration and Naturalization Service of the United States Department of Justice
- Certificate of naturalization (form N-550 or N-570) issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security
- Certificate of citizenship (Form N-560 or Form N-561) issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security or by the United States Department of Justice
- Unexpired employment authorization document (form I-766 or I-688B) issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security
- Valid, unexpired passport issued by a foreign country and a valid, unexpired U.S. visa accompanied by a Form I-94 as documentation of the applicant’s most recent lawful admittance into the US. If the Form I-94 is endorsed “DS” then a Form I-20, Form DS-2019, or Form I-551
Documents Accepted to Prove Social Security Number
- Social security card
- Federal form W2
- Federal form 22a_1099 or other federal form 1099 with social security number on the form
- Computer-printed US employment pay stub with name, address and social security number
If a foreign passport is used for evidence of identity or date of birth, additional documentation demonstrating non work authorized status may be needed to verify non-eligibility for a Social Security number.
Documents Accepted to Prove Current Residency in Minnesota
- Valid, unexpired Minnesota driver's license or instruction permit (current address must be listed)
- Valid, unexpired Minnesota ID card (current address must be listed)
- Home utility services bill issued no more than 12 months days before the application
- This document will not be accepted if two unrelated people are listed on the bill
- United States bank pr financial information with account numbers redacted including (not issued more than 12 months before REAL ID application. Note: Only one of the two REAL ID required residency documents can be a financial document):
- Bank account statement
- Canceled Check
- Credit card statement
- Minnesota college or university ID card with certified transcript from the college or university, issued no more than 180 days before the application
- Employment pay stub issued no more than 12 months before the application that lists the employer's name, address and telephone number
- Unexpired Minnesota professional license containing current Minnesota residential address
- Home utility services hook-up work order issued no more than 12 months before the application
- This document will not be accepted if two unrelated people are listed on the bill
- US high school identification card with certified transcript from the school issued no more than 180 days before the application
- Minnesota unemployment insurance benefit statement issued no more than 12 months before the application
- Statement from a housing with services building registered under chapter 144D, nursing home licensed under chapter 144A or a boarding care facility licensed under section 144.50 to 144.56 issued no more than 12 months before the application
- Life, health, automobile, homeowner's or renter's insurance policy issued no more than 12 months before the application
- Federal or state income tax return or statement for the most recent filing year
- Minnesota property tax statement for the current year that shows the applicant's principal residential address both on the mailing portion and portion stating what the property is being taxed
- Minnesota vehicle certificate of title issued no more than 12 months before the application
- Filed property deed or title for current resident issued no more than 12 months before the application
- Supplemental security income award statement issued no more than 12 months before the application
- Mortgage documents for the applicant's principal residence
- Residential lease agreement for the applicant's principal residence issued no more than 12 months before the application
- Unexpired selective service card
- Military orders that are still in effect at the time of application
Lists and information provided by Driver and Vehicle Services, a Division of Minnesota Department of Public Safety. See the MN DVS site for more information.