What students need to know about California’s Real ID

FRESNO, Calif. – With Graduation season here, graduation trips are close behind, but there is an important upcoming deadline for those who are planning to fly to their vacation destinations.

The Real ID deadline is May 7, but many students are still unclear about what a Real ID is.

Abraham Cruz, MCJ student, said, “I know what it is. I’ve heard of it. I don’t have it though, so I should definitely get informed on it.”

Abraham is talking about REAL ID’s.

Passed in 2005, the REAL ID act requires all states’ drivers licenses to meet federally compliant standards. They will be required to enter federal buildings and to fly.

The deadline to get one is May 7th.

But a REAL ID requires more when applying than a regular driver’s license.

Chris Orrock, an information officer for CA DMV, explained “”One, Identification. That might be your passport, or birth certificate. Then you have to show two forms of where you reside so it has to be a cable bill or a utility bill of some sort so we know you’re a California resident, your name matches on your utility bill with your driver’s license or passport or birth certificate.”

But this has creeped up on many, causing a spike in people going to the DMV for their REAL ID appointment.

So much that the DMV is issuing a recommendation. They recommend that for people wait to renew their driver’s license or ID and upgrade it to a REAL ID.

But if you’ve already renewed your license, or your graduation trip is well before your renewal, then there is another option. A passport.

While a passport may cost more, it offers a few more benefits for flyers. As you are able to fly internationally where a REAL ID and passport card can’t.

And for Fresno State students, they can apply for a passport on campus.

The passport office is on the first floor of the Kremen Education building. Here, appointments are needed, but there is an interesting perk for students.

Rose Leal, the Passport Place Coordinator, said, “With the exception of Fresno State students. We do allow Fresno state students to walk in Mondays through Fridays from nine to two without an appointment.”

Here, all the required documents are available with a handy checklist. Applicants can be in and out of the building in fifteen minutes if they have their documents ready.

And there’s another benefit of using the passport office on campus.

“The 35 dollar execution fee that we charge, is the same as every other acceptance facility, but our 35 fee goes towards our students here at Fresno State, studying abroad.” explained Rose.

May 7th is just around the corner, so it’s important to stay on top of things, especially if you plan on flying after graduation.

Luckily CA DMV has a digital checklist you can use as you are preparing.

And the Passport office on campus is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 am to 2 pm with easy digital appointment setter.

TSA enforcement may be slow in the first few months, and travel delays are expected as they do more screening for flyers without REAL ID’s.