How to be prepared when you go for your Real ID

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Thousands of people across Pennsylvania are scrambling to get their real id's. According to PennDOT officials, the wait times at some DMV's to get the new identification card is up to 3-and-a-half hours long.

According to officials, roughly 821,000 Pennsylvanians have already gotten their Real ID's.

“So, we've added staff and new locations,” Community Relations Coordinator for PennDOT Diego Sandino said. “You can get a Real ID at any of our Driver Licensing Centers you can get verified there or you can visit one of our 12 real ID Centers where you can go in, bring your documents and actually leave those centers with your Real ID in hand. They're all listed on our website at www.penndot.gov/realID.”

Sandino said you need to bring a handful of documents with you to get your Real ID.

“You will need one proof of identity so that's an original or certified copy of the birth certificate with the raised seal or a valid unexpired passport,” Sandino said. “You will need your social security card with your current legal name and then you will need two proofs of your current physical Pennsylvania address.”

According to PennDOT’s website, you need a Real ID to: board domestic commercial flights, enter a military base, and enter a federal facility that requires id at the door.

You don't need a Real ID to: drive, vote, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts, or apply for or receive federal benefits such a social security.

Sandino said there is a best time to get your real id when the DMV is typically least crowded.

“We say avoid the lunch hour rush and if you can go on the off-hours in the afternoon instead of during lunch or the weekends,” Sandino said.

If you're looking to get ahead of the game...you can go to PennDOT’s website and see if you are already pre-verified online.

“The pre-verification is if you received your first Pennsylvania driver license or learners permit or ID after September 1, 2003,” Sandino said. “PennDOT may already have your Real ID documentation on file. So, you can go online if that applies to you and you can see if you are already pre-verified.”

You have until October 1st of 2020 to get your real id.

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