You’ve read the headlines about getting a REAL ID before the May 7 deadline. You’ve done your due diligence and made an appointment. 

Now what? What even is a REAL ID? It will be needed in more places than just the airport. How much does it cost?

Well, before you go to your appointment, you need to make sure you bring the right documentation.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle commissioner requires a unique combination of documents, which follows a process called 2 + 1 + 6 = REAL ID. 

That means you must have:

• Identity documents that add up to six points
• Two documents to prove your address
• One valid social security number

Bear in mind that most transactions at the MVC require a physical document, and not just a copy on your smartphone. 

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What’s included in REAL ID 6 points?

This is the spot where you’ll need to verify your identity with primary documents that add up to six points, such as:

• A U.S passport or birth certificate (4 points each)
• A certificate of naturalization (4 points) 
• Your current permanent resident card (3 points)
• A U.S school or college photo ID with a transcript (2 points)
• A legal name change court order, civil marriage certificate or divorce decree (2 points each)
• Additional documents also count, like a current U.S military ID or New Jersey firearms purchaser card

What’s included in REAL ID 2?

The “2” of the REAL ID formula is where you prove your address. You need to provide two out of the following:

• A valid NJ driver’s license or MVC-issued driver license renewal form displaying your residential address
• A utility bill or credit card bill from within the past 90 days 
• A bank or credit union statement issued within the past 60 days 
• An original, unexpired lease or rental agreement
• Any tax-related documents or government correspondence received within the past year 
• First-class mail from a government agency within the past six months 

What’s included in REAL ID 1?

The “1” in the REAL ID process is where you need to prove your social security number. You’ll have to show one of the following: 

• A Social Security card 
• A pay stub with the full Social Security number
• A W-2 or 1099 form issued within the past year
• You can also enter your Social Security number in the application and the MVC will electronically verify it 

What is REAL ID and where will I need it?

The REAL ID is a federal requirement for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards. It’s meant to issue minimum security standards for state-issued IDs. 

It’s part of a post-9/11 bill passed by Congress in 2005, according to the U.S Department of Homeland Security. 

The requirement was originally set to go into effect in 2020, but was pushed back five years amid backlogs induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Starting May 7 this year, a REAL ID will be required for domestic flying and to get into any federal buildings. 

Your current ID might read “Not For Real ID purposes,” and that means that, even if unexpired, the ID would not be compliant with the federal requirement. 

But you could also present another REAL ID-compliant document to TSA security at the airport, like a passport. 

It can take about two weeks, or 15 business days, to process the request at your local MVC. 

All Real IDs will feature a stamp on the right-hand corner to show that it is federally compliant. The symbol stamped on your Real ID card will vary, depending on the state it was issued in.

What happens at your REAL ID appointment?

At the appointment, the documents you provide are scanned and stored by the MVC, as per federal requirements. State officials stressed that the documents are securely stored.

A REAL ID has to be obtained via an in-person appointment, but renewals can be done online.

The ID costs $35, while a standard New Jersey license or ID costs $24.

Staff Writer Manahil Ahmah contributed this article, which contains information from USA Today

Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record. 

Email: munozd@northjersey.com; Twitter:@danielmunoz100 and Facebook