New York REAL ID Star Recognition
New York REAL ID cards display a gold star inside a black circle at the top-right corner.
Enhanced Driver License vs Standard REAL ID
New York also offers an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) which displays a US Flag. The EDL is accepted for land and sea border crossings to Canada and Mexico.
Documents You Must Bring to the Office
To upgrade, you must visit a local customer center in person with these original papers. Photocopies or digital scans are rejected:
- Proof of Identity (1 Document): US Passport, Certified Birth Certificate, or Permanent Resident Card.
- Proof of Social Security (1 Document): Original Social Security Card, printed W-2, or 1099 form displaying your full SSN. The document must not be laminated.
- Proof of State Residency (2 Documents): Printed utilities bills, credit card statements, bank statements, or rental leases dated within 60 days.
Cost of a REAL ID in New York
A REAL ID costs thirty dollars (standard license fee) with no additional surcharge. An Enhanced License requires an additional thirty dollar fee.
REAL ID FAQs
Yes. TSA checkpoints enforce these guidelines for all domestic flights. Without a gold star license, Enhanced ID, or a valid US passport, you will be blocked from security checkpoints.
Some states permit pre-application online uploads to speed up in-person checkins, but you must still bring your physical original papers to your branch office appointment for validation.