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Real ID is a shorthand way of referring to the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005 which was passed by Congress in 2005. The legislation establishes minimum security standards for state-issued Driver’s Licenses and ID cards that can be used for official federal purposes such as boarding a domestic flight/commercial aircraft, entering a federal building or military base and entering a nuclear facility.
Yes! If you intend to use your Driver’s License or State ID Card to board a domestic flight/commercial aircraft, enter a federal building or military base or enter a nuclear facility you will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification.
Note – In some cases, you may use a valid U.S. Passport, Military ID or another federally approved form of identification. Each agency that requires identity documents such as TSA, military bases, federal buildings, etc., has defined what documents it will accept. Please inquire with those entities before visiting their facility.
If you renewed or received a new Driver’s License or ID card after the State of New Mexico began issuing REAL ID-compliant forms of identification on November 14, 2016 it is likely you are REAL ID-compliant.To be sure, look for the star symbol on your New Mexico Driver’s License or ID.
Yes, but only until 9/30/2021. If you intend to use your Driver’s License or State ID Card to board a domestic flight/commercial aircraft, enter a federal building or military base or enter a nuclear facility you will need a REAL ID compliant form of identification before the deadline of May 3rd, 2023. See below for additional info on when best to obtain a REAL ID.
If your New Mexico Driver’s License or ID:
Starting May 3rd, 2023, every US resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card, for accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial aircraft. The card, itself, must be REAL ID compliant unless the resident is using an alternative acceptable document such as a valid US Passport. If your New Mexico Driver’s License or ID:
All MVD Express locations are authorized to issue REAL ID Driver’s Licenses or State ID cards. For a list of locations or to make an appointment click here.
Yes. The Standard Driver’s License or Standard Identification Card can be used as a driver’s license or a valid form of identification in New Mexico but ARE NOT acceptable for federal purposes (boarding a domestic flight/commercial aircraft, entering a federal building or military base and entering a nuclear facility). Choosing between the Standard Driver’s License or REAL ID is dependent on an individual’s needs. If you are a frequent air traveler, it is strongly recommended you choose a REAL ID. If you simply need your license to legally operate your vehicle and need it ASAP, you may be best served by getting a Standard Driver’s License (and getting a Real ID-compliant license later, if you choose to).
A Standard Driver’s License is what we are now calling New Mexico driver’s licenses that do not comply with Real ID requirements. It is simply a change in terms to help us and our customers distinguish between the two types (REAL ID vs. non-REAL ID) of driver’s licenses and state IDs that may be issued.
Sort of… Rather than providing (1) Proof of Identification Number (SSN Card, W2, SSA-1099) and (1) Proof Identity & Age (birth certificate, passport, certificate of citizenship etc.), you just need to provide (1) document showing Identity and Date of Birth. If you are unable to show Identity and Date of Birth in one document, (2) documents will be required. As with REAL ID, (2) Proofs of New Mexico Residency is required to obtain a standard driver’s license.
Remember, the Standard Driver’s License or Standard Identification card can be used as a driver’s license or a valid form of identification in New Mexico and ARE NOT acceptable for federal purposes (boarding a domestic flight/commercial aircraft, entering a federal building or military base and entering a nuclear facility) beginning October 2021.
In addition to (2) Proofs of Residency you will need to provide (1) Proof of Identity & Date of Birth. If the document does not contain the applicant’s name and date of birth (2) of the below documents will be required. Please note, all documents must reflect your current legal name*.
See below for the most common documents used to obtain a standard driver’s license:
| IDENTITY & DATE OF BIRTH |
| Original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with a state office of vital statistics or equivalent agency in the individuals place of birth |
| Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the US Department of State, Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545 |
| Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS |
| Foreign Passport with an I-551 Stamp |
| Affidavit of Indian Birth |
| Valid NM license or ID card |
| State-issued driver’s license, driver’s license issued by a U.S. Territory, or by the jurisdiction of Canada, with photograph and has not been expired more than a year |
| U.S. active duty/retiree/reservist military ID card (DOD ID DD-2)* |
| Passport or Passport card from the US if verified through SAVE*Original or Certified Copy of Birth Certificate |
| NEW MEXICO RESIDENCY |
| Two (2) Documents, must list lawful name |
| Utility Bill or Bank Statement (Dated within 60 days) |
| Valid Vehicle Insurance Card |
| Current Property Rental or Purchase Agreement |
| Local Property Tax Statement |
Click here to view the full list of acceptable documents for a Standard Driver’s License.
Note: Documents must be original or certified copies. Paperless Billing Statement Copies are acceptable. Photocopies, notarized photocopies and non-certified copies are NOT acceptable.
*The name on all your documents must be the same. If you use a name other than the legal name on your identity document (such as a birth certificate or passport), you must provide proof of each name change. If the name you currently use is not what’s on your identity document, you may have to change your name legally or, if you are eligible, apply for an amended birth certificate.
You will need a marriage certificate or divorce decree if you have been married or divorced and changed your name from your name at birth. If you are uncertain, bring your identity documents and the documents showing your name change to your local MVD Express or give us a call at 505-226-9333.
To obtain a New Mexico REAL ID you will need (1) Proof of Identification Number, (1) Proof of Identity & Age and (2) Proofs of Residency. Please note, all documents must reflect your current legal name*.
| IDENTIFICATION NUMBER |
| One (1) Document, must list lawful name |
| Social Security Card |
| W-2 Form |
| SSA-1099 |
| IDENTITY & AGE |
| One (1) Documents, must list lawful name |
| Original or Certified Copy of Birth Certificate |
| Valid US Passport or Passport Card |
| Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS |
| Foreign Passport with an I-551 Stamp |
| Affidavit of Indian Birth |
| NEW MEXICO RESIDENCY |
| Two (2) Documents, must list lawful name |
| Utility Bill, Bank Statement or Pay Stub (Dated within 60 days) |
| Valid Vehicle Insurance Card (Dated Within Six Months) |
| Current Property Rental or Purchase Agreement |
| Local Property Tax Statement |
| Employment Pay Stub with name & address |
See below for the most common documents used to obtain a REAL ID Driver’s License or ID: Click here to view the full list of REAL ID acceptable documents.
Note: Documents must be original or certified copies. Paperless Billing Statement Copies are acceptable. Photocopies, notarized photocopies and non-certified copies are NOT acceptable.
*The name on all your documents must be the same. If you use a name other than the legal name on your identity document (such as birth certificate or passport), you must provide proof of each name change. If the name you currently use is not what’s on your identity document, you may have to change your name legally or, if you are eligible, apply for an amended birth certificate.
You will need a marriage certificate or divorce decree if you have been married or divorced and changed your name from your name at birth. If you are uncertain, bring your identity documents and the documents showing your name change to your local MVD Express or give us a call at 505-226-9333.
A Lawful/legal name is the name that a person uses for official purposes. The name on your New Mexico Driver’s License or ID must be your legal name.
If a birth certificate is used as the proof of Lawful Identity & Age and your name has changed to your current legal name, you must also provide any one of the following that documents that name change:
Note – The name on all your documents must be the same. If you use a name other than the legal name on your identity document (such as birth certificate or passport), you must provide proof of each name change. If the name you currently use is not what’s on your identity document, you may have to change your name legally or, if you are eligible, apply for an amended birth certificate.
You will need a marriage certificate or divorce decree if you have been married or divorced and changed your name from your name at birth. If you are uncertain, bring your identity documents and the documents showing your name change to your local MVD Express or give us a call at 505-226-9333.
If the name listed on your birth certificate is misspelled, out-of-order (Jane Mary Doe vs. Mary Jane Doe) or a different version (Jose vs. Joe) you may need an amended birth certificate. You can apply for a name correction with the Office of Vital Records from the State or Tribe in which you were born or registered.
You may need to petition the court for a legal name change when your required documents do not clearly reflect the change from one name to another. A court order stands alone as the Lawful Identity & Age document. However, if you have had a name change and your current legal name is listed on your Lawful Name & Age document (i.e. Passport), you will still be required to provide your birth certificate to establish legal presence.Below are examples of when you may need to petition the court for a legal name change:
When your current lawful/legal name does not match your documents, follow the below guidelines to make corrections to your Identification Number or New Mexico Residency Documents.
The State MVD considers a middle name as part of a legal name that will be listed on a REAL ID; however, a middle name may be included, omitted or abbreviated on Identification Number and New Mexico Residency documents if identity is not in question (i.e. Jerry Paul Valdez is Jerry P. Valdez is Jerry Valdez / Jerry G. Valdez IS NOT Jerry Paul Valdez)
Note: In the case of any individual who uses a suffix, i.e. Jr., the suffix will be used on the REAL ID to resolve situations where the identity and identity number of the applicant is in question. The suffix must match Identification Number and New Mexico Residency documents.