Michigan
REAL ID deadline 2 weeks away: Here’s what Michigan residents need to know
Michigan residents will want to make sure they have a star on their driver’s license or state ID by May of this year.
Beginning May 7, 2025, Michigan residents will need to have a REAL ID-compliant document to fly within the United States or enter certain federal facilities.
—> Michigan begins issuing new-look driver’s licenses, IDs: What to know
Am I already REAL ID-compliant?
REAL ID-compliant licenses have a star in the upper right corner.
Michigan’s old license and ID design, which will be phased out by January 2029, has a star in a gold circle. The new license design has a star in a silhouette of Michigan.
Valid enhanced licenses and IDs are automatically REAL ID-compliant if they have the star or not. Valid U.S. passports and DHS Trusted Traveler’s cards are also already REAL ID-compliant.
You can learn more about the REAL ID in Michigan by visiting michigan.gov/sos/license-id/real-id.
REAL ID deadline in Michigan: Answering 9 of your most common questions
What do I need to upgrade my license?
To convert to a REAL ID, you will have to visit the Secretary of State and bring the following documents with you:
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Your current Michigan driver’s license or ID.
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A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.
There is no added charge for converting to REAL ID if you do it when you’re renewing or replacing your license or ID. If you’re converting at another time, there is a correction fee ($9 for license; $10 for ID) to convert to REAL ID.
You can schedule an appointment with the Secretary of State online at dsvsesvc.sos.state.mi.us/TAP.
You will still be able to change your license to make it REAL ID-compliant license after May 7, 2025.
What do you need a REAL ID for after May 7, 2025?
You will need to show a REAL ID-compliant document to board a plane for domestic travel or to enter certain federal facilities, military bases, and nuclear power plants.
Valid and unexpired standard license or ID can be used after May 7, 2025, for cashing checks, renting vehicles, purchasing alcohol and tobacco, and entering casinos.
You can learn more about the REAL ID in Michigan by visiting michigan.gov/sos/license-id/real-id.
What do I need at a TSA checkpoint?
Anyone 18 and older is required to show identification at the airport checkpoint to travel. That identification will need to be REAL ID-compliant after May 7, 2025.
According to the TSA, the following documents are acceptable:
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Driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent).
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State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License.
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U.S. passport.
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U.S. passport card.
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DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
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U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
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Permanent resident card.
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Border crossing card.
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HSPD-12 PIV card.
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Foreign government-issued passport.
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Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
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Transportation worker identification credential.
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
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U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential.
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Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC).
Learn more about tsa.gov. You can visit dhs.gov/real-id and use their REAL ID ready tool to learn more.
Will you need REAL ID to vote after May 2025?
No. All state-issued identification will be accepted when voters are asked to show a valid ID when voting. ID will be accepted if it’s standard, enhanced, or REA-ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card. Voters who do not have valid state-issued ID will be asked to sign an Affidavit of Identity.
Can permanent residents apply for a REAL ID?
Yes. Lawfully present non-U.S. citizens, including permanent and non-permanent residents are eligible to apply for a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card. They will need to schedule an appointment with the Michigan Secretary of State office and bring required documents.
Some documents qualify as REAL ID and can be used for domestic flights when the law goes into effect on May 7, 2024. Those documents include: Permanent resident card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
Will a REAL ID be required for jury duty?
No. A REAL ID will not be required for jury duty, even if it’s in a federal building.
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Michigan schools, libraries and nonprofit groups are set to receive more than $280,000 in literacy funding, according to a community announcement issued by Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The money is intended to support reading and education programs across the state.
The grants are part of a nationwide single-day award total of nearly $16 million. The funding supports adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates.
In Michigan, the grants are expected to affect more than 9,600 people, according to the announcement.
The grants are for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. According to the announcement, eligible groups must be within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.
The money may be used for new technology, books, materials or software. The grants can help groups start literacy programs or expand existing ones.
Several Michigan organizations received grants of $10,000, the highest amount. Those recipients included:
- Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian
- Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (Access) in Dearborn
- Literacy Center Of West Michigan in Grand Rapids
- Houghton Lake Community Education in Houghton Lake
- Livingston County Literacy Coalition in Howell
- Goodwill Industries Of Southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo Literacy Council in Kalamazoo
- Capital Area Literacy Coalition / The Reading People in Lansing
- The Global Institute Of Lansing
- Van Buren Intermediate School District in Lawrence
- Reading Patch Literacy Foundation Inc. in Niles
- Grace Centers Of Hope in Pontiac
- Oakland Literacy Council in Pontiac
- Literacy And Beyond Inc. in Port Huron
- Gigi’S Playhouse — Detroit LLC in Southfield
- Southgate Community Schools in Southgate
Other larger grants included $9,999 for Wayne State University in Detroit, $9,500 for Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas City and $8,500 for Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council in Plymouth.
The recipient list also included many grants of $3,000. Those went to:
- Allendale Public Schools
- Boys And Girls Club Of Alpena
- Cedar Springs Public Library
- Clinton Community Schools
- Coloma Public Library
- Mason County Eastern Elementary in Custer
- North Dickinson County School in Felch
- Wilson School Parent Advisory Committee in Herron
- Hillman Community Schools
- Ida Public Schools
- Lawton Public Library
- Luther Area Public Library
- Saginaw African Cultural Festival Inc.
- Sebewaing Township Library
- Tekonsha Community Schools
- Columbia Township Library in Unionville
- Wakefield Public Library
- Whitmore Lake Public Schools
Other awards listed were $2,000 for Taymouth Township Library in Burt; $2,100 for Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township; and $2,500 for Friends Of Cadillac Wexfod Public Library in Cadillac, Teamer Dreams Foundation in Eastpointe, Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association in Lansing and Palomino Hope Equine Experience in Tawas City.
The list also showed a $1,000 grant for Townline Elementary in Grand Rapids and a $4,500 grant for D House Of Angels in Pontiac.
Also receiving grants were Houghton Lake Community Education and Reading Patch Literacy Foundation in Niles.
A full list of grant recipients is available at dgliteracy.org.
“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said in the announcement. “These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.
Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.
Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.
In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.
Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.
BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.
The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.
Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.
Free admission begins at 10 a.m.
General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.
A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.
Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond
The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.
“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”
Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.
Future dates planned
The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.
For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
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