MD REAL ID: Compliance Rates By County As Deadline Looms

BALTIMORE, MD — Nearly 87 percent of Maryland residents have their REAL ID and are ready to fly, with the deadline now just under a year to get the more secure identification required to board an airplane or enter federal facilities.

The Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcing the new identification for air travelers on May 3, 2023.

Below is the compliance rate by county and how to get your new ID.

“Maryland has made significant progress over the last few years, assisting more than 4.2 million people become REAL ID ready,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer in a news release. “Our goal is to ensure every Marylander is aware of the upcoming deadline, understands the requirements to obtain a REAL ID if they don’t already have one and can access the tools that are readily available to them to get a compliant product.”

As of May 3, 2023, all Marylanders 18 years of age and older must have documents on file and a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or identification card to board an airplane or enter a federal facility. Airport numbers continue to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic and are anticipated to continue to grow heading into the summer, the MDOT said.

Obtaining a compliant REAL ID driver’s license or identification card with the REAL ID star in the upper right-hand corner requires one proof of age and identity, one proof of Social Security, and two proofs of Maryland residency on file with MDOT MVA.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the original deadline of Oct. 1, 2020, was delayed since state agencies were operating in person at a limited capacity. Since then, many updates have gone into effect and the MVA has implemented new services to help Marylanders obtain a REAL ID.

In 2020, Congress modified requirements for obtaining a REAL ID, allowing residents who have their Social Security number on file and verified with the MDOT MVA to fulfill the proof of Social Security requirement without presenting their Social Security card.

The MVA also began a pilot program in March 2021 in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health Division of Vital Records to allow Maryland-born customers visiting the Annapolis, Baltimore City, Essex, Frederick and Largo branch offices to request a certified copy of their birth certificate and have it printed onsite to fulfill the proof of identity requirement. To date, more than 1,500 customers have used this service.

“Over the last several years, MDOT MVA has implemented new services that make getting a REAL ID faster and easier than ever,” said MDOT Secretary James F. Ports Jr. “At nearly 87 percent, Maryland has one of the highest compliance rates in the nation, and we’re well positioned to have a seamless transition when the federal deadline takes effect.”

“The federal deadline will bring a significant change in how our passengers make their way through the airport,” said BWI Marshall Executive Director Ricky Smith. “Preparing ahead is the best way to ensure our passengers can continue to take their trips uninterrupted.”

To date, Maryland jurisdictions have reached the following compliance rates:

• Allegany County, 83.6%
• Anne Arundel County, 87.7%
• Baltimore City, 84.4%
• Baltimore County, 87.2%
• Calvert County, 87.4%
• Caroline County, 86.3%
• Carroll County, 88.0%
• Cecil County, 86.0%
• Charles County, 87.8%
• Dorchester County, 85.4%
• Frederick County, 87.8%
• Garrett County, 84.9%
• Harford County, 87.5%
• Howard County, 88.8%
• Kent County, 86.5%
• Montgomery County, 87.3%
• Prince George’s County, 86.9%
• Queen Anne’s County, 87.6%
• St. Mary’s County, 87.2%
• Somerset County, 83.6%
• Talbot County, 86.7%
• Washington County, 85.3%
• Wicomico County, 85.7%
• Worcester County, 86.2%

REAL ID was passed by Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Getting a REAL ID isn't necessarily required, but the state recommends it. U.S. passports will still be an acceptable form of federal identification to board any flight or visit a federal property. Those who are under 18 years old are not required to have this ID to fly.

View the MVA's fact sheet about the REAL ID here.

Driver’s licenses can be renewed up to 12 months before the expiration date, providing customers greater time to renew. Marylanders can check their REAL ID status by entering a driver’s license or identification card number into the REAL ID Lookup Tool.

It's important to note that the new federally compliant ID card looks slightly different from a traditional Maryland driver's license. This new card will have a little gold star in the top right corner, while a traditional driver's license will be labeled "federal limits apply."

"In order to get a REAL ID, you must bring your documents in person to an MDOT MVA branch," according to the MVA. "MDOT MVA does not have a process by which customers can scan and upload REAL ID documents to our website."

The agency also has a tool that allows people to look up whether they are REAL ID-compliant. Those who need to present their documents must do so in person at MVA full-service branches, which are open by appointment only.

If you have the older style Maryland driver's license or identification card (with no star on it), a $20 fee is required to renew your driver's license to obtain a REAL ID, according to the MVA. Those who have the new REAL ID driver's license or identification card — which has a star on it — only need to submit documents and will not have to pay a fee; check your REAL ID status here.

How to apply for the REAL ID in Maryland

To apply for the new card, you'll need to gather a few documents for your trip to the MVA.:

• Proof of age and identity: Original or certified copy of a birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport that has not expired. If you don't have a birth certificate, request an original or certified copy (here for those born in Maryland and here for those born in other U.S. states)
• Proof of Social Security: Social Security card in current legal name. Other items are accepted such as W-2, SSA-1099 or pay stub from past three months displaying name and SSN.
• Proof of Maryland residency (two are required): Current, unexpired Maryland driver's license or identification card; Maryland vehicle registration card or title; utility, TV/cable or telephone bill with the same name and address; property tax bill or receipt; residential rental contract; mail or benefits statement from a federal, state or local government agency; copy of federal or Maryland income tax return filing; checking, savings, financial account or collection agency communications; voter registration card; credit card statement; valid Maryland state-issued professional license; medical or hospital bill; or residential service contract or delivery for services performed at the address of residence (e.g., TV repair, lawn service, furniture delivery)

Find more information on REAL IDs in Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Transportation created a video that provides the basics on getting REAL ID.