Press Release  As REAL ID Compliance Date Nears, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Offers Walk-In Opportunities

As REAL ID Compliance Date Nears, Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Offers Walk-In Opportunities 

Walk-ins for a REAL ID credential are accepted at all service centers; Identity documentation required 

Anyone who qualifies can still obtain a REAL ID past May 7 

Additional information can be found at Mass.Gov/REALID 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding residents that, beginning May 7, anyone traveling by plane domestically or entering certain federal facilities will need a Registry-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport. For customers who do not have valid form of federally acceptable ID and have travel plans scheduled in the near future, the Registry is currently accepting walk-ins for REAL ID transactions at all service centers. If a customer who walks in for a REAL ID transaction cannot be helped immediately, a service center staff will see if another time slot may be available later that same day or scheduled over the next several days. 

In addition, the RMV stresses that anyone who qualifies can still obtain a REAL ID past May 7.      

Massachusetts residents seeking a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card are strongly encouraged to go online now at Mass.Gov/REALID to learn what documents are needed for a required in-person appointment. Customers should also be aware that it can take 10 to 14 business days from the day of their appointment to receive their RMV credential in the mail.   

As of this month, Massachusetts has more than 3 million credentials being REAL ID-compliant.  

“As we get closer to May 7, we are very pleased to see more and more residents coming in for a REAL ID-compliant credential. For those who haven’t, there is no need to panic. Up to and beyond May 7, the Registry will continue to process REAL ID transactions,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “We are increasing our capacity at our service centers, and we are also accepting walk-ins for individuals who have imminent travel plans that require a REAL ID. Meanwhile, we urge everyone to become familiar with the required documentation, so they know what they need to bring with them when applying for the REAL ID.” 

The fee to obtain or renew a REAL ID compliant credential is the same as obtaining or renewing the equivalent non-compliant credential:

• The fee for renewing a non-commercial standard or a REAL ID driver’s license is $50. 
• The fee for renewing a Mass ID is $25. 
• The amendment fee for upgrading to REAL ID credential before an existing credential’s expiration is $25. 
• Customers with a less than five-year stay in the U.S. pay a pro-rated fee. 

For anyone who does not have imminent travel plans, appointments can be scheduled by visiting the RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/myRMV or if you are a AAA member at https://northeast.aaa.com/automotive/registry-services/massachusetts.html.   

The RMV has posted helpful information on REAL ID requirements that customers can use to prepare for their in-person visits, including convenient document checklists to help pre-stage REAL ID applications, at Mass.Gov/REALID. Documents required for this transaction include:

• proof of lawful presence,
• two (2) proofs of Massachusetts residency, and 
• proof of a full Social Security Number (SSN).  

Customers who have had a name change since the issuance of a birth certificate, passport, or other lawful presence document, will need to show the reason for the name change by presenting documentation like a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court document. These required documents must be original or certified versions. The RMV recommends customers gather these documents well in advance of appointments to ensure they have the information required by federal law.  

Customers are eligible to renew up to one year in advance of the expiration date printed on their license or ID. Customers who already have a compliant credential may renew online, provided their legal name has not changed. A REAL ID-compliant credential from the Massachusetts RMV has a star surrounded by a yellow or gold circle, at the top right corner of the license or ID.     

The Massachusetts RMV has been offering the REAL ID to customers since March of 2018. For additional information and details on these and other RMV service offerings, please visit Mass.Gov/RMV. 

For information on acceptable identification at airport security points, please visit tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.  

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