REAL ID-Compliant Identification Will be Required Beginning May 7, 2025
Erie County, NY – Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns is reminding Erie County residents of the May 7, 2025 deadline to obtain an Enhanced or REAL ID compliant document, for which you will need in order to board any flight within the U.S., or enter certain federal buildings including military bases, unless you have a valid U.S. passport or another federally-accepted form of identification.
To help educate residents, Kearns will be holding a REAL ID information session on Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00 am at the Agustin Olivencia Center, located at 261 Swan Street, Buffalo to
explain what customers will need to understand about obtaining a REAL ID compliant document, what documents are required, and to answer further questions.
“We also want the public to select the document that is right for them as they do have a choice between an Enhanced Driver License (EDL), a REAL ID version, or simply maintain a Standard ID or Driver ‘s License,” stated Kearns. “Real IDs will not be necessary to drive a car, but not having the star or U.S. flag on your ID will prevent security issues or delays at airports. We want travelers to ‘Be REAL ID Ready’.” Kearns added.
This information event is free and open to the public. Additionally, there is no extra cost to get a REAL ID driver license or non-driver ID. All normal transaction fees still apply. Neither the REAL ID nor the Enhanced versions can be used to fly internationally. All overseas flights to foreign countries do require a valid U.S. Passport book.
You can find out more about the REAL ID Act and review the list of acceptable documents required to meet the new compliance standard or book an on-line appointment by visiting erie.gov/clerk. Those without internet access needing to make a reservation or require reasonable accommodations may call the Clerk’s Outreach center at 716-858-8864.
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