With just over two weeks remaining until federal REAL ID enforcement begins, PennDOT is continuing its REAL ID Days at driver license centers across the state.

Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, a REAL ID or another form of federally acceptable identification, such as a valid passport or military ID, will be required to board domestic commercial flights, enter a military base and enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID.

A valid passport will still be required for international travel.

REAL ID Days will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Mondays, April 28, May 5 and May 12. During REAL ID Days events, PennDOT driver license centers will be exclusively processing REAL IDs so more state residents can get the ID before the enforcement deadline.

In this region, on REAL ID Days, the Altoona Driver License Center, 1738A Ninth Ave., Altoona, and the Rockview Driver License Center, 812 West College Ave., Pleasant Gap, can process and issue a REAL ID at the time of service.

On REAL ID Days, the Johnstown Driver License Center, 563 Walters Ave., and the Clearfield Driver License Center, 1800 Daisy St., Unit 380, Clearfield, will process the documents. Customers will then receive their REAL ID within 15 business days.

Documents needed

To obtain a federal REAL ID, regulations require that customers supply the following documents:

Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.

Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form or a pay stub.

Two proofs of current, physical PA address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver’s license or identification card, vehicle registration or a utility bill with the same name and address.

Proof of all legal name changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the county court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county’s family court.

Note: If current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown.

Cost of a REAL ID

When a customer gets their first REAL ID, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year noncommercial driver’s license and $42.50 for a photo ID). The expiration date of their initial REAL ID will include any time remaining on their existing nonREAL ID, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license. This expiration date structure means that the customer won’t lose time that they’ve already paid for.

After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee beyond regular renewal fees to renew a REAL ID product.

Residents can apply for a REAL ID at any time — before, on or after enforcement begins as REAL ID products are a permanent part of PennDOT’s services.