What is REAL ID?
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID ACT establishes minimum security standards for state-issued Driver’s Licenses (DL) and Identification (ID) cards that can be used for official federal purposes.
For more information go to:
Department of Homeland Security.
REAL ID COMPLIANT =
Does New Mexico meet Federal REAL ID requirements?
Yes. New Mexico’s DL and ID cards bearing the gold star, issued after November 14, 2016 are REAL ID compliant.
Have what you need to get a REAL ID?
The REAL ID Companion (RIC) will help you identify the documents you need to get a REAL ID. Click on the Start RIC button, answer a few brief questions and print your results.
REAL ID Videos
What is REAL ID?
Why do I need a REAL ID?
How can I get a REAL ID?
What else do I need to know?
Introduction
What is REAL ID?
Why do I need a REAL ID?
How can I get a REAL ID?
Is there an alternative to REAL ID?
What if my name is not the same?
What else do I need to know?
Have what you need to get a REAL ID?
The REAL ID Companion (RIC) will help you identify the documents you need to get a REAL ID. Click on the Start RIC button, answer a few brief questions and print your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Federal Purposes Print Page
Q:
What are official federal purposes?
Official federal purposes include, but are not limited to, boarding a domestic flight, entering a federal building, military base or nuclear facility.
Q:
Will I always need a REAL ID to enter a federal building?
No, some federal facilities do not require a person to present identification. Please inquire with those entities before visiting their facility.
Q:
Do I need a REAL ID?
Yes, if you intend to use your driver's license or identification for official federal purposes.
Q:
What alternative documents can I use for official federal purposes?
You may use a valid U.S. Passport, Military ID or another federally approved identification.
Standard Driver’s License and ID Card – Alternatives to REAL ID
Q:
What if I am unable to provide proof of Legal Status or I don't want or need a REAL ID for official federal purposes?
New Mexico offers two DL/ID options.
- REAL ID
- Standard Driver’s License and ID Card
Q:
What are the requirements for getting a Standard Driver’s License or ID Card?
The Standard Licenses replace the old “Driving Authorization Cards,” and the process is simpler. All you need is:
- One document that provides proof of your identity and age
- Two documents that prove New Mexico residency
No fingerprints and no social security number are ever needed. You can choose the Standard license for 4 or 8 years.
Q:
Do I have to go into an office to get one?
No, you may be eligible to get one online. Just click here and click on Renew/Replace License or ID.
Q:
What is it good for?
Both types of licenses are valid for driving.
A Real ID License can be used for boarding domestic commercial flights and entering certain federal facilities after Oct. 1, 2021;
the Standard License will not be accepted for those purposes.
Under New Mexico law, Standard Licenses and Identification Cards must be accepted for all other identification purposes in New Mexico
on the same terms as a Real ID credential. This includes transactions like cashing a check or obtaining state and local government services.
Q:
Will my documents be accepted if they are not written in English?
MVD agents may not accept a document in a language other than English without a full and complete translation that is certified by a translator.
When and Where to Get a REAL ID
Q:
When do I need to get a REAL ID?
Effective May 7, 2025, you must present a REAL ID-compliant DL/ID or another acceptable form of identification for official federal purposes.
- If a DL/ID Expires Before May 7, 2025 — It's okay to renew it upon expiration
- If a DL/ID Expires After May 7, 2025 — Renew any time before May 7, 2025; MVD encourages you to renew sooner than later
Q:
Where do I get a REAL ID?
You must come into an MVD office for your next license renewal. See MVD Office Maps & Locations.
Q:
Can I use my current non-compliant DL/ID for Official Federal Purposes?
Yes, until 9/30/2021. Effective May 7, 2025, you must present a REAL ID-compliant DL/ID or another acceptable form of identification to board a domestic flight, enter a federal building, military base or nuclear facility.
Required Documents
Q:
What requirements do I need to meet to get a REAL ID-Compliant DL/ID?
To obtain a REAL ID DL/ID, provide your local MVD office with proof of the following:
- A. Lawful Identity and Age
- B. Identification Number
- C. New Mexico Residency
Q:
Can my documents be copies of the original document?
No, your documents must be original or a certified copy. A certified copy is a copy of a primary document that is endorsed by the entity that issued the original document. Photocopies, notarized photocopies and non-certified copies are NOT acceptable.
Q:
Will the MVD verify that my documents are authentic?
Yes, a REAL ID can only be issued after MVD has electronically verified the Legal Status and Identification Number documents using these sources:
- Verification of Legal Status (VLS) - Immigration documents are matched to the records found in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system
- United States Passport Verification System (USPVS) - Passport documents are matched by the MVD to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) records database
- Social Security Online Validation (SSOLV) - Social Security Numbers are validated by the MVD with the Social Security Administration SSOLV
Q:
What documents are most commonly accepted to meet REAL ID requirements?
A – Lawful Identity and Age:
- U.S. Passport or Card
- Foreign Passport + specified Department of Homeland Security Issued Forms
- U.S. Birth Certificate
- Affidavit of Birth (issued by any Tribal Nation's Vital Records)
- Certificate of Birth Abroad
- Certain Department of Homeland Security Issued Forms
- Certain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Issued Documents
B – Identification Number:
- Social Security Number (SSN) Card
-
Income Tax Forms:
- W-2
- 1099 (SSA or Non-SSA)
- Pay Stub (with Current Legal Name and full SSN)
- Foreign Passport - with Visa & I-94
C – New Mexico Residency:
Documents Dated within 60 Days:
- Utility bill, i.e. water, electricity, gas, phone but not cell phone bills
- Bank or Credit Card Statement
- Pay Stub
- Education Institution Document - Transcript, Report Card or Enrollment
Documents Dated within 6 months:
- Insurance Bill/Card or Binder
Documents with Current Date (not expired):
- Real Property Rental or Purchase Agreement
- Local Property Tax Statement
- City, County, State, Tribal or Federal Document Attesting to NM Residency
- NM Medical Card, Letter or Printout
- NM Public Assistance Card, Letter or Printout
- Document of eligibility and receipt of services from non-profit organization with IRS Section 501 (c) (3) status
Documents for Applicants Under Age 18:
- Membership in a NM Religious Organization
- Membership in a NM Sports Organization
- Parent/Guardian Affidavit of NM Residency (living in the home) - Plus Parent's ID and 2 proofs of parent's NM residency
Note: You can download the full list of acceptable documents at REALID-acceptable-docs. Click Start RIC to start the REAL ID Companion to assist you in identifying which documents to bring to your local MVD office.
Q:
Can my nickname be listed on my REAL ID?
No, your current legal name will be listed on your REAL ID.
Q:
What is a legal name?
A legal name is the name that a person uses for official purposes.
The official document you provide must include:
- Your name at birth, if not legally changed
- Your name at birth plus proof of name changes – marriage, divorce, adoption and/or court records
- Your current legal name
Q:
What if my name changed?
When the name on your Lawful Identity & Age document is not the same as your Current Legal Name, you must provide all linking name change documents, that show clear trail of name changes.
- Marriage Certificate(s)
- Divorce Decree(s)
- Adoption Record
- Court Order(s)
Q:
What do I need to do to get an amended birth certificate?
You may need an amended birth certificate when the name on your Lawful Identity & Age document is:
- Misspelled
- Out of Order – Jane Mary Doe vs. Mary Jane Doe
- A different version of a name – Jose vs. Joe
Note: You can apply for a name correction with the Office of Vital Records from the State or Tribe in which you were born or registered.
Q:
What do I need to do to get a legal name change through the courts?
You may need to petition the court for a legal name change when your required documents do not clearly reflect the change from one name to another.
Reasons to petition the court for a legal name change include:
- Robert Manual Smith has been using, and wants his name to be Gary Smith
- Geraldine Susan Goldstein signed her marriage certificate Joey S. Goldstein when she married Stephen Thomas. Now she wants to be called Joey S. Thomas or some other variation of Geraldine Susan Thomas
- Gerald Michael Gutierrez has been using and wants to be known by his baptismal name Phillip Gerald M. Gutierrez
- Paul Vincent Jones grew up with the Martin family and has been using the surname Martin without having been adopted or undergone a legal name change
Q:
What if my Identification Number document or NM Residency documents do not match my Current Legal Name?
When the current legal name does not match your documents, follow the below guidelines to make corrections to your Identification Number or New Mexico Residency Documents.
- Apply to the Social Security Administration for an amended Social Security Card
- Contact the entity that provided the needed documents and request a correction to your name and/or physical/residential address
- Petition the court for a legal name change
Other Valuable Resources – REAL ID List of Acceptable Documents
Q:
Where can I get a complete list of acceptable documents?
You can download the full list of acceptable documents here: REAL ID Acceptable Documents
The REAL ID Companion (RIC) will help you identify the documents you need to get a REAL ID. Click on the Start RIC button, answer a few brief questions and print your results.
Q:
Where can I get a complete list of resources?
Download the full list of acceptable documents:
Here’s a short list of common resources:
Have what you need to get a REAL ID?
Click on the Start RIC button, answer a few brief questions and print your results.
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