FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ashley Marks
April 21, 2025 609.292.5203
 

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NJMVC Launches REAL ID Emergency Issuance Program to Mitigate the Impact of Federal REAL ID Enforcement

TRENTON Following the TSA’s announcement that full REAL ID enforcement will begin on May 7, 2025, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) will be launching a REAL ID emergency issuance program for qualified customers who need to board a domestic flight within 14 days for life-or-death reasons or for urgent travel plans and do not have an acceptable form of identification to clear TSA checkpoints.

“For years, the NJMVC has been issuing REAL IDs and preparing for the start of federal REAL ID enforcement,” said Acting NJMVC Chief Administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd. “Anticipating the recent increase in demand, which is being seen all over the country, we have made many additional accommodations to service as many customers with REAL ID as possible, including with this new emergency program. Our efforts will continue through the start of enforcement on May 7 — and beyond.”

This program will be offered to a limited number of customers who meet certain criteria. Eligible customers will be serviced at a special appointment to obtain a REAL ID once they complete the screening process and meet all eligibility requirements.

Customers should carefully review the requirements and the documentation that will need to be provided to secure an emergency appointment.

For either the life-or-death emergency or urgent travel service appointments, the following criteria will apply:

  • All appointments will be scheduled and serviced at the NJMVC’s Trenton Regional Center. These appointments will not be available for scheduling through the regular NJMVC scheduling platform.
  • Appointments will be limited. The NJMVC cannot guarantee it will be able to accommodate an appointment request.
  • An $80.00 shipping fee will be assessed to expedite the delivery of a REAL ID within a few business days. There is no fee for the appointment. The charge is solely to expedite delivery of the REAL ID license or ID, which is printed and shipped from a secure, central facility. New Jersey licenses and IDs have been printed and issued centrally since 2020 to integrate additional security protocols and comply with federal REAL ID regulations.
  • Customers will be required to submit documentation attesting to their personal situation and need for the appointment to be eligible for the emergency REAL ID services. 
  • Customers must confirm they have the required documents for a REAL ID to be issued – 2 proofs of residential address, 1 verifiable Social Security number, and identity documents that add up to 6 REAL ID points – to qualify for an appointment. Customers should utilize the document selector tool and/or checklist available on the NJMVC’s website to verify all REAL ID requirements.

The specific details and requirements for REAL ID emergency appointments are available at the NJMVC REAL ID website REALID.nj.gov .  

These emergency services are being offered in addition to the continued issuance of REAL ID at Licensing Centers and Mobile Units to help New Jerseyans as they navigate — and to help mitigate the impact of — new federal requirements for domestic air travel. The emergency services will begin being offered to the public on Thursday, April 24.

Customers should double check and verify TSA travel requirements before submitting any documentation to request an emergency REAL ID appointment.

The NJMVC will continue to issue REAL IDs up to and after the start of federal REAL ID enforcement on May 7. Over the last several months, the NJMVC has processed record numbers of customers for REAL IDs, added hundreds of thousands of new appointments for more customers to get a REAL ID, launched dedicated “REAL ID Thursdays,” and expanded its award-winning Mobile Unit program to facilitate REAL ID issuance on Saturdays.

Customers should visit REALID.nj.gov to learn more about REAL ID in New Jersey.

Please visit TSA.gov for more information about federal REAL ID enforcement.