Oregon residents will soon have to meet federal security standards and obtain a REAL ID by May 7, 2025 if they want to fly domestically.
Here’s how to get a REAL ID, why they’re needed, and why you should make plans to get one soon.
What is a REAL ID?
A REAL ID is a state-issued driver’s license, permit or identification card that meets federal security standards, according to a news release from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
An Oregon REAL ID has a star in a black circle in the upper right corner of the card. If you renew identification without choosing a REAL ID, “Not for REAL ID Act” will be displayed in the upper right corner.
Example of an Oregon driver’s license with the Real ID option as indicated by the star in the upper right corner.
Why are REAL IDs required?
In 2005, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in response to the 9/11 Commission recommendation to improve protections and “establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Can I still fly after May 7, 2025 if I don’t get a REAL ID?
No. After the May deadline, anyone aged 18 or over without a REAL ID, passport, passport card or military ID will no longer be able to board domestic flights.
Chris Crabb, public information officer for the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, said 51% of Oregon residents have passports.
REAL IDs cannot be used as a passport alternative for foreign flights, and Oregon residents can still legally drive, vote or prove their identity without a REAL ID.
How do I get a REAL ID in Oregon?
Oregonians can get a REAL ID at any DMV office by walk-in or appointment. Applicants must bring documents proving their identity, date of birth, Social Security number, two different proofs of address, and legal status in the United States.
There will be a wait of up to 20 days for the REAL ID to arrive in the mail after completing the application.
How much does a REAL ID cost in Oregon?
REAL IDs cost $30 each time you sign up, and are in addition to the regular cost for an original, renewal or replacement of a standard Oregon driver’s license, permit or identification card. Obtaining a REAL ID does not change the expiration date on your card.
An original standard driver’s license costs $64, an ID card costs $47 and a permit costs $30.
Renewal of a standard driver’s license costs $54, an identification card costs $43 and a permit costs $26.
Replacing a standard driver’s license costs $30, an identification card costs $40 and a permit costs $30.
Why Oregonians are encouraged to get a REAL ID as soon as possible
Crabb said the DMV is expecting an influx of REAL ID seekers by the deadline, so they’re hoping people can make the switch as soon as possible.
Since the option became available in 2020, a third of state license, instructional permit or identification card holders have chosen to switch to a REAL ID — just over a million people, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Applicants who show up two weeks before the deadline may not receive the REAL ID in time if they travel close to the deadline, she said. Temporary paper cards are not accepted.
“The sooner you get it, the less you’ll probably have to wait,” Crabb said.
Alexander Banks is an AAJA-SPJ reporting intern at the Statesman Journal. Reach him at abanks@statesmanjournal.com
This article originally appeared in Salem Statesman Journal: When is the REAL ID deadline in Oregon and how can I get one?
