REAL ID is a coordinated effort by states and the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents. The REAL ID is only needed if you: a) plan to fly domestically b) enter a federal facility or c) visit a military base. If you have a passport, a Department of Defense ID, or if you do not plan to travel, visit a federal or nuclear facility then you do not really need a REAL ID.
The deadline for requiring a REAL ID compliant credential to board a domestic airline flight has been extended to May 3, 2023, due to circumstances resulting from the global health crisis. Until that date, the Transportation Security Administration will accept any state-issued, current driver’s license or identification card. REAL ID compliant cards have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of the card.
To obtain a REAL ID, you must provide proof of identity/lawful presence by providing a birth certificate or an unexpired permanent resident card. You will also need proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of residency. Once you have gathered these documents you can visit a Department of Public Safety location or a tag agency that is actively issuing REAL IDs.
To schedule your REAL ID appointment, please visit a Department of Public Safety location or contact your local tag agency. As a special note, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety has opened a MegaCenter Location for processing your REAL ID.
MegaCenter Location
1000 NE 10th Street
(Old Health Department Building)
Enter the ground level parking garage off of NE 10th & follow the signs for service.
Hours:
6:30am &dnash; 10:00pm
Monday &dnash; Saturday
(Will be open through December 10, 2021)
Costs depend upon a variety of factors such as: first time license, renewal, converting or replacing an existing license, commercial driver’s license, and Hazmat endorsement. Special rates apply for those over the age of 62. It usually takes up to 3 weeks to process the information, and REAL IDs will be sent via U.S. mail.
REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card. REAL ID does not create a federal database of driver’s license information. Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintain its own records, and control who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. The purpose of a REAL ID is to make our identity documents more consistent and secure.
Be sure to contact the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) if you have any questions or need any assistance with the documents required to obtain a REAL ID. DPS reserves the right to reject unverifiable documents, request additional documents and investigate documents that are presented.
