A REAL ID driver’s license or identity card is completely optional and not required for most day-to-day activities. However, it can be a convenient choice if you want to be able to use your driver’s license to board domestic flights, instead of carrying the extra weight of a passport or having to remember to bring it with you.
To apply for a REAL ID, you’ll need to be able to provide at least one document that has your full name and date of birth for proof of identity. Examples include a valid U.S. passport or passport card (which are preferred), an original or certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, and a valid Permanent Resident Card. See your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for more options.
Additionally, you will also need to present two documents that include your full name and address for proof of residency in your state, such as a home utility bill or cellular phone bill (which are preferred), mortgage bill, bank statement, insurance or medical documents, or a vehicle registration card. Children under 18 years of age or those whose names do not appear on any of these documents must also show a tracing document, such as a birth certificate or marriage license, to connect them to the person whose name is on the document.
Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
