The state of Florida Requires residents to obtain a driver’s license or a federal certification identification card Real id. As of May 7, 2025, this identification will be mandatory to address national flights and access federal buildings, according to the National Security Department of the United States (DHS).
The program Real id It was established in 2005 through the real identification law, with the objective of strengthening national security and preventing fraud in the issuance of identity documents. Since then, its implementation has been postponed several times due to logistics difficulties and Covid-19 pandemic. The current deadline is May 7, 2025, although some proposals suggest a possible extension until 2027, according to a report of Reuters.
Florida residents who do not obtain the Real id Before the deadline they may continue to use other forms of identification approved by the Government, such as US passports, military identifications or permanent resident cards, to address national flights and access federal facilities.
The Department of Security on the Motorized Roads and Vehicles of Florida (FLHSMV) establishes that to obtain the Real id It is necessary to present documents that prove identity, number of Social Security and residence in the state. To demonstrate the residence, applicants can provide recent public services, current lease contracts or insurance policies with their name and address in Florida.
Basic services invoices must be dated within the last 30 days and show the full name of the applicant together with his address. These may include water, electricity, gas, cell phone or cable television receipts, according to the official site of the Pinellas County Tax Collection.
In the case of lease contracts, these must be in force and contain the name of the lessee and the Directorate of the Property rented in Florida. This document is accepted as an official residence proof by FLHSMV, provided that the applicant appears as the holder of the contract.
Housing or automobile insurance policies are also admitted to check the residence. These must be issued in the last 30 days and show both the name of the headline and the direction registered in Florida. The presentation of this document allows to verify that the applicant maintains active residence in the State.
In addition to residence documents, applicants must present an identity test, such as an current American passport, a birth certificate certified by the State or a permanent resident card in the case of immigrants. It is also mandatory to provide proof of the number of Social Securitylike the card Social Security or a recent tax declaration in which the number appears.
FLHSMV recommends verifying the complete list of accepted documents before going to an office to carry out the process, since the lack of any requirement can delay the process. Interested persons can consult the details on the official FLHSMV website or in the local tax collection office.
To carry out the process of the Real idit is recommended to request an appointment at one of the FLHSMV offices or the State Tax Collectors. Some offices allow processing without previous appointment, but it is advisable to verify availability on the official website before going.
The current deadline for the implementation of the Real id It is May 7, 2025. However, there have been proposals to delay the complete application of these regulations until May 2027. Until definitive decisions are made, it is wise to prepare to meet the current requirements.
The Real id It is a mandatory requirement for those who wish to travel within the United States on national flights and access certain federal buildings. It is important to gather the necessary documentation in advance to avoid delays in the process.
