New Jersey
Here’s what 2 + 1 + 6 = REAL ID formula means for your NJ appointment
Starting May 2025, your driver’s license won’t be enough for air travel
This week, after years of delays, the Transportation Security Administration announced that federal agencies will begin enforcement of REAL ID requirements on May 7, 2025.
Fox – 5 DC
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.
Story continues below photo gallery
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
New Jersey
Crookshank Recalled from Utica | BLOG | New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils have recalled forward Angus Crookshank.
He will join the team at morning skate on Friday morning.
The center has played 17 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, with five goals and two assists. He has the second-most goals on Utica, behind Xavier Parent’s six.
Crookshank has played 21 NHL games over the past two seasons with the Ottawa Senators, recording two goals and two assists.
New Jersey
NJ mayor indicted by grand jury on child abuse charges after alleged DUI
Months after the mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, was arrested after allegedly driving drunk with her son in the car, a grand jury indicted her on charges of not protecting her child, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police in Lumberton had responded to the home of Lumberton Mayor Gina LaPlaca after a concerned resident called 9-1-1 to report that she was driving erratically on March 17, 2025.
According to police, the incident happened at about 6:11 p.m. after law enforcement officials were sent a video that allegedly showed a vehicle swerving out of lanes while driving and, at one point, nearly hitting a utility pole.
Court documents claim that in an interview with police, LaPlaca admitted that she had been drinking and said she drove the vehicle to pick up her son from daycare.
Also, according to court documents, officers administered a field sobriety test and LaPlaca “appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense.”
During a search of LaPlaca’s car, officers reported finding an open container of alcohol.
LaPlaca was charged with drunk driving, endangering the welfare of a child, child abuse and other related charges.
The Mayor is expected to be arraigned on Dec. 8, 2025.
New Jersey
Snow Possible In NJ As Arctic Blast Arrives
A blast of Arctic air is set to freeze New Jersey Thursday, bringing with it snow and the potential for dangerous snow squalls, according to the latest forecast.
The cold front moves through the state Thursday and could bring some snow showers along and north of I-80, National Weather Service forecasters said.
“While this should generally be not impactful, the snow squall parameter is not zero, so a few squalls reaching the far northern part of our area cannot be ruled out,” the National Weather Service said.
Find out what’s happening in Across New Jerseyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Squalls can cause conditions to change suddenly, creating danger for those on the road.
“Major highways and secondary roads can be coated in snow, and visibility can be drastically reduced in a matter of seconds, creating slippery and dangerous driving conditions,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said. The best option is to avoid driving during squalls; otherwise, it’s recommended to leave the highway and wait for squalls to pass.
Find out what’s happening in Across New Jerseyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The rest of the state will see brisk winds and frigid temperatures.
By daybreak Friday, it should start to snow. However, the snow will be light and focus more on the southern portion of the state. Those along the coast will see a mix or just rain, forecasters said. There will be a sharp cut-off for precipitation, according to the National Weather Service, which looks to be along I-195. Most snow accumulations will remain south of that, though there is not a lot expected.
“By Friday night, the low will quickly depart and move into the western Atlantic causing most precipitation to cease,” National Weather Service forecasters said. “However, some isolated areas of light snow or rain may linger into Friday night, especially for areas near the coast.”
Temperatures will warm slightly for the weekend, but still remain below normal.
By the middle of next week, a clipper-style storm may bring some snow again to New Jersey.
Here’s the latest forecast.
North Jersey
Thursday: A slight chance of snow showers before 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Friday: A slight chance of snow after 1 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 27. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Friday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 37.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 26
Central Jersey
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 39. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 17. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Friday: A chance of snow after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday Night: A chance of snow before 10 p.m., then a chance of snow and freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31.
South Jersey
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light north after midnight.
Friday: A chance of snow, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday Night: A chance of snow before 10 p.m., then a chance of snow and freezing rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 44.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 32.
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