County Clerk/DMV Provides Clarity on Upcoming REAL ID Requirements – What to Bring When Applying

The REAL ID requirement to fly domestically or enter into federal buildings takes effect on May 7th. With this requirement, the Cortland County Clerk/DMV is providing clarity regarding the new requirement. The requirements have shown a record number of people visiting their local DMV offices to update their IDs to become REAL ID compliant with the Cortland DMV Office experiencing the same increase.

“It is not mandatory that you have Real ID compliant identification.  This requirement is if you want to fly domestically or enter Federal Buildings on or after May 7, 2025.  Federal buildings closest to Cortland are in Binghamton and Syracuse.  County buildings can still be accessed.”

The County Clerk said in a release.

Those who have a license with a star or a flag on the top corner, you are not required to change your license as these are REAL ID compliant. If you have a passport, you also have a compliant form of identification to fly domestically or enter a federal building; you will be required to bring your passport.

To make it easier for you in obtaining a REAL ID when updating your standard ID, bring the following items with you to the DMV.

• Certified birth certificate (raised seal, signed by registrar) or passport
• Proof of Social Security number (Social Security Card, 1099 or a W-2)
• Your current license
• Documents that allowed for name change since birth (Marriage license, divorce, court documents; all copies must be certified)
• Sufficient proof of address; a PO Box will not be accepted (Bank statements, utility bills are the most common forms)

Appointments with the Cortland Department of Motor Vehicles are available on Thursdays and Fridays. The Cortland DMV does offer walk-in service. More information may be found at the Cortland County DMV website, HERE.

The REAL ID regulation was originally passed by Congress in 2005 as a response to the September 11th attacks. According to the DMV, the federal REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses, permits and ID cards. The law requires customers to bring certain documents to the DMV to prove who they are and to have a new photograph taken before their REAL ID can be issued.