The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced Thursday, June 8, that the requirement for proof of a Social Security Number for REAL ID products will expand to include additional documents.

REAL ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver's licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes, like boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building that requires federally acceptable ID upon entry. A federally acceptable form of identification must be used for these purposes on and after May 7, 2025.

Per federal regulations, customers obtaining a REAL ID product must present proof of Social Security Number. PennDOT is now expanding acceptable options beyond a Social Security Card.

PennDOT will now accept several documents as proofs of Social Security Number, including a Social Security Card; a W-2 form; a SSA-1099 form; a non-SSA-1099 form; or a pay stub with the applicant’s name and full Social Security Number on it.

There is no requirement that any resident obtain a REAL ID; PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver's licenses and photo IDs.