REMINDER: Spring deadline to fly domestically and enter certain federal facilities with REAL ID approaching May 7

LOWVILLE- If you are confused whether or not you have a federally compliant document that will fall into accordance with the Federal REAL ID Act, all you have to do is check your license, according to Lewis County Clerk, Jake Moser.

Come May 7, 2025, all New Yorkers will need some form of federally compliant ID, including a REAL ID, an Enhanced ID or a passport in order to fly domestically and enter certain federal facilities. 

Remember, if you already possess an Enhanced ID, which is an upgrade from a REAL ID, then you do not need to take action. Having an enhanced ID includes additional benefits, including the option of traveling to Canada and Mexico (also including some Caribbean counties) via land or sea.

If you have a REAL ID, then you still do not need to take action and you still will still be federally compliant come this deadline, but you will not have the same privileges as an Enhanced ID.

If you are unsure which form of ID you have, Clerk Moser says take out your driver's license or ID card and check the top-right corner (look for emblems):

NYS issued Enhanced ID sample via the DMV.

NYS issued REAL ID sample issued after March 10, 2022 via the DMV.

NYS issued REAL ID sample issued October 30, 2017 - March 9, 2022 via the DMV.

You can check out the New York State DMV website for more samples. 

Be sure to listen to our latest on-air coverage from Wednesday, April 2, 2025 with Lewis County Clerk, Jake Moser:

NYS DMV images.