Real ID deadline approaching. Here's what you'll need to get yours
In order to get one, U.S. Citizens and permanent residents need to go to either a DMV or AAA branch in person.
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May 7 is the deadline to get a Real ID both in Connecticut and around the country.
Starting then, a normal driver's license will no longer be accepted to board domestic airline flights or to get into some federal buildings, with those places instead requiring the more secure Real ID, which Connecticut residents can recognize by the gold star in the top right corner.
"It's an enhanced, upgraded, more-secure version of your state-issued driver's license, or nondriver ID," says AAA spokesperson Lauren Fabrizi.
In order to get one, U.S. citizens and permanent residents need to go in person to either any DMV or the AAA branches in Norwalk, Fairfield or Danbury.
"You don't have to be a AAA member to come and do those DMV transactions," said Fabrizi. "We just ask that you make an appointment through our website."
Once there, applicants need to be ready to provide a lot of paperwork, with Fabrizi saying "Real ID requires you to bring your original, primary documents."
That means everyone needs to provide two pieces that prove either citizenship or legal residence. That can include a birth certificate, a passport or an old in- or out-of-state driver's license.
Officials will also need two things to prove residence in Connecticut, which can be recent pieces of mail, a bill, bank statement or school records.
A Social Security card is not required, but it is recommended, and a number will need to be provided regardless.
Anyone who has changed their name also needs to bring proof of that, such as a marriage certificate.
While Norwalk resident Lucy Fiore says "it's a pain in the neck to get," Fabrizi says all of this work is "proving that you are who you say you are."
A full checklist of acceptable documents is available online.
For anyone who does not get a Real ID in time, passports can be used instead of them to get on domestic flights.
A Real ID is also not needed to buy plane tickets, just to get on the plane.
