Residents of Kentucky are being encouraged to update their identification before May 7, 2025, as the RealID requirement’s enforcement date draws near.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) held a pop-up event at the Livingston County Public Library on Wednesday to help the public by providing assistance with the RealID application process.
This is a component of a continuous effort to guarantee that locals possess the appropriate documentation to adhere to federal laws.
Airport security checks will no longer recognize a conventional driver’s license without the black star insignia for domestic flights or for admission into federal buildings, including military bases, as of May 7, 2025.
This implies that Kentuckians must have a RealID or another authorized form of identification, like a current passport or military ID, if they intend to travel within the United States or visit federal facilities after the enforcement date.
Although May 7 is the formal enforcement date, it is not a hard deadline. Before or after the enforcement date, residents can choose to get a RealID at any moment.
However, as the deadline approaches, residents are being urged to make the change as soon as possible, particularly because waiting periods at licensing offices and processing delays may lengthen.
Residents will need to provide a number of crucial papers in order to apply for a RealID.
These consist of two documents attesting to their residency, proof of their Social Security number, and identification such as a birth certificate, valid passport, or citizenship documents.
Furthermore, anyone who have undergone any legal identity changes—like changing their name—will have to present proof of those changes, such as a marriage license.
Regardless of a resident’s residence, RealIDs are available at any driver’s licensing regional office in Kentucky. Residents in Paducah, Mayfield, Henderson, and Madisonville, for instance, can apply for their RealID at regional offices in Western Kentucky.
To ensure a more seamless procedure, Blair advises anyone looking to receive a RealID to schedule an appointment.
All sites do, however, welcome walk-ins, and individuals without an appointment are urged to arrive early to minimize lengthy wait periods.
Blair added that people may decide to wait until their driver’s license renewal period to get a RealID if they already have another form of identity, like a passport or military ID.
By choosing this option, residents can avoid making a second trip to the licensing office and schedule the acquisition of their RealID with their upcoming renewal.
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The KYTC is asking all people to verify their current identification and make sure they have the required paperwork before contacting their local licensing office, as the enforcement date of May 7 approaches.
As Kentucky gets closer to implementing RealID completely, this preemptive strategy will help guarantee a more seamless transition.
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