Pennsylvania
Real ID Deadline: What you need to know in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware
PHILADELPHIA – The national deadline to get a REAL ID is quickly approaching, and there are several things you need to know in order to obtain one.
REAL IDs are not mandatory, but will be required to board domestic flights starting May 7, unless a traveler uses a valid passport.
You will need to provide several supporting documents proving your identity and residential address in order to receive a REAL ID.
Below you will find what residents in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware will need to have on hand when getting a REAL ID.
PENNSYLVANIA | NEW JERSEY | DELAWARE
Pennsylvania residents can use the state’s website to check which documents they will need in order to apply for a REAL ID.
Residents can use a birth certificate or valid passport to prove their identity, and they must provide their social security number.
You will also need two documents that show a legal address, including a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license or two pieces of mail with matching addresses.
Those who have legally changed their name will have to provide a certified marriage certificate, court order, or adoption decree.
Pennsylvania does not allow residents to pre-upload their documents, meaning you will need to bring each item with you to a Driver Licensing Center.
More information can be found here.
New Jersey is using the 2+1+6=REAL ID slogan to help residents remember which documents will count towards obtaining a REAL ID card.
As in Pennsylvania, New Jersey residents will need two documents, such as a driver’s license or bill, to prove their residential address.
You will also need to provide your social security number by using either your official Social Security card or a tax document or pay stub.
Documents are classified as primary and secondary items, worth 1-4 points. You will have to choose one primary document and at least two secondary items to use.
A passport or birth certificate, for example, are primary documents worth 4 points. A New Jersey driver’s license or social security card are worth 1 point each.
New Jersey residents can use the state’s online tool ensure they meet the points requirement, and bring all the selected items with them to the DMV,
Delaware is also making it easy for residents to known which documents they need to apply for and receive a REAL ID.
Delaware requires residents to provide one document that proves their identity, such as a birth certificate, and their social security number.
Residents will also need to prove their Delaware residential address through valid documents like a bill, credit card statement, or employment record.
You can check what documents you will need during your trip to the DMV on the state’s website.
What is a Real ID?
A Real ID is a seal on all state-issued identification documents.
Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses,” according to DHS.
The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.
These purposes are for accessing certain federal facilities, boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft and entering nuclear power plants.
Older IDs will be suitable to allow people to drive, buy liquor or other age-regulated products, and gamble at casinos. Travelers also can use military IDs or passports to access flights and federal facilities.
When does the Real ID take effect?
A Real ID will be enforced on May 7, 2025.
This means, starting May 7, a Real ID or other federally approved identification, will be necessary to board domestic flights.
Previously, the deadline had been May 3, 2023, but needed to be extended again due to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial implementation of the Real ID deadline had been Oct. 1, 2021.
Do you need a Real ID to fly in the US?
According to the DHS, U.S. travelers must obtain a Real ID to board flights within the United States and access certain federal facilities.
If you are traveling domestically, you will only need one valid form of identification – either your Real ID or another acceptable alternative such as a passport, not both.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Most EDLs do not contain the star marking and this is acceptable.
DHS notes that TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification.
“CBS Mornings” exclusively revealed Pennsylvania high school teacher Leon Smith as the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, which is selected by the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program.
Smith, a social studies teacher at Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania, said the honor “just means everything.”
“It’s just such an honor to be able to represent teachers all over the country and really stand on the shoulders of so many others that have come before me that have done just such great work,” Smith said in an interview with “CBS Mornings” on Tuesday.
Smith, who teaches AP U.S. history and AP African American studies, was previously named the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
In a video, students at Haverford High School and colleagues described Smith as passionate, caring, charismatic and engaging.
“He is everything you want in a teacher,” principal Pete Donaghy said in the video. “He relates African American studies or U.S. history to his students.”
Smith reflected on the difference teachers can make in the lives of their students. For him, his favorite teacher was his first grade teacher, Ms. Mason.
“Just how she made me feel,” Smith said. “So I just think that’s the power of a teacher, that it’s not always the content but it’s how you make the students feel is what they remember.”
Smith said he thinks it’s crucial to let students “know that you care.”
“And also just being able to see things in students that they cannot see in themselves.”
Smith is also a longtime basketball coach, coaching the freshman team at Haverford High School.
“I was one of his players and he made sure that I felt seen,” a former player told “CBS Mornings.” “He made me feel like I actually had a purpose.”
Smith’s love for basketball started when he was young. His favorite player ever is Julius Erving, known as Dr. J., who Smith said made him “fall in love” with the game.
Erving surprised Smith on “CBS Mornings” by congratulating him in person on being named the National Teacher of the Year.
“When I got the notification about Leon, I realized that his school Haverford is literally right around the corner from a house that I lived in for 11 years,” Erving said. “So there was a connection … I said, ‘Well, let’s go and be on the show. Go see some people. Spread some joy. Spread some love.’”
Erving recalled a teacher who had an impact on his life.
“The most significant was Mr. Ray Wilson, who actually taught special ed in my high school, but he was also my basketball coach,” Erving said, describing Wilson as a lifelong mentor.
“He lived until he was in his 80s, and he was always there. He was always my first call anytime anything came up. Big or small, I could always call him, anytime, day or night. That was special.”
Smith called meeting Erving an honor and said he’s thankful for a moment that he’ll never forget.
A Pennsylvania court ruling is reshaping abortion access in the state, striking down a decades-old ban on using Medicaid to pay for abortions and declaring that the Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees a right to abortion.
The decision came Monday from the state’s Commonwealth Court. In a 4-3 vote, judges ruled in favor of abortion rights in Pennsylvania and invalidated the state’s restriction on Medicaid-funded abortions.
Local abortion-rights advocates praised the ruling as a major step toward protecting access for low-income residents. Adrienne Daily, co-founder of Johnstown for Choice, said, “Everybody should have the right to that. If you restrict the coverage, you’re obviously discriminating against those that have lower income.”
Opponents of abortion rights called the decision a dramatic expansion of the court’s power and warned it will force taxpayers to pay for procedures they oppose. Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, said, “Taxpayers now in Pennsylvania will have no choice under this court ruling to fund abortions. And there are many, many millions of Pennsylvanians who think abortion is wrong. It’s the taking of an innocent human life and to force taxpayers who conscientiously object to abortion to then fund it is just plain wrong.”
Abortion-rights advocates pushed back, arguing abortion access is healthcare and a personal decision. Daily said, “This is a family issue. This is a personal issue. This is a bodily autonomy issue.”
Pro-life leaders also warned the ruling could have broader implications for other abortion-related laws. Geer said, “It is sweeping and there’s no question it’s judicial overreach.” He added, “If this ruling stands, it will invite attacks on every remaining pro-life safeguard that has been put into law by lawmakers at the behest to the people of Pennsylvania over decades.”
The case could still be appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. That decision lies with Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday. His office has not provided a response, but the Associated Press reported a spokesperson said the office is reviewing the decision and did not say whether it will appeal.
Johnstown, Pa. (WJAC) — The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just released this year’s list of inductees, and a new clothing store just opened in the Johnstown Galleria.
What do these two things have in common?
If you grew up listening to 90’s hip-hop, then you’re probably familiar with the Wu-Tang Clan.
Wu-Tang Clan member opens clothing store in Pennsylvania (WJAC)
They said, “We’re in the building right now, we’re out in Johnstown making it happen, fashion and rapping, and Wu-Tang, you already know Wu-Tang is the witty, unpredictable talent and natural game. So, it’s all grassroots with us, man. We do everything from scratch.”
They’re being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and Darryl Hill, aka Cappadonna, and manager Al “Heck” Felder are opening the Pillage, a clothing store in the Johnstown Galleria, selling apparel with a purpose.
Cappadonna said, “‘Cappadonna,’ that stands for ‘Consider All Poor People Acceptable, Don’t Oppress Nor Neglect Anyone,’ and we stand on that.”
They were introduced to mall owner Leo Karruli through Mustafa Curry, a childhood friend from New York, who owns a store on Main Street in Johnstown.
Heck said, “BK Styles, I’ve got to give a shout out to my boy, Mustafa. They’ve got some apparel down there, too. We’re all over. We’re spreading the word and we’re spreading the love.”
Wu-Tang Clan member opens clothing store in Pennsylvania (WJAC)
Their other clothing line, Angry Elephant, promotes being good stewards of the Earth, with a portion of the proceeds protecting the animals from poachers.
They said they believe in always putting God and family first.
Cappadonna said, “When you recognize the God in us, then you can see the God in you.”
They said they want kids to know that violence is not the answer, and it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.
Cappadonna said, “We just want to say that it’s nice to be important, but it’s even more important to be nice.”
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