October 1 marks one year until Pennsylvanians will need REAL ID-compliant forms of identification to fly commercially and enter federal buildings.

A statement from PennDOT notes that, starting October 1, 2020 a “federally-accepted form of identification – whether it’s a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a military ID, etc. – must be used as identification to board a commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door.”

Pennsylvanians have been able to acquire such identification since March 2019.

“To date, more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians have chosen to get a REAL ID-compliant product,” PennDOT said. “Based on data from other states with optional REAL ID programs, PennDOT anticipates that approximately 1.3 million of its customers will get a REAL ID before the federal enforcement deadline of October 1, 2020.”

According to PennDOT, federal regulations require proof of identity (either a passport or birth certificate), Social Security card, two proofs of address (such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration or utility bill) and proof of all legal name changes.

That documentation can be taken to any Driver’s License Center in order to be verified, pay the fee and will then receive the REAL ID product in the mail within 15 business days. There are also 12 Driver’s License Centers – Erie being the closest one to Warren County – where the product can be received over the counter.

“Customers who choose to get a REAL ID will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus a renewal fee (current renewal fee is $30.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver’s license, $31.50 for a photo ID),” PennDOT explained. “The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, 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.”