In 2016 Massachusetts passed legislation to implement REAL ID, a federal standard adopted past Congress in 2005. Under that law, state residents now have two options for their commuter's license or ID carte du jour: a Existent ID-compliant ane, or a standard Massachusetts state license. The new system went into result on March 26, 2018.

If you already accept a valid, unexpired Mass. driver's license or ID, it will yet be valid until its expiration date.

The changes affectanybody,but are specially important for non-citizens to understand.

Cardinal differences between a REAL ID and a standard license:

  • The Real ID licenses are marked "valid for federal identification purposes" with a gold star in the upper correct-paw corner.
  • If you want a REAL ID license or ID,you must apply in person, whereas five-year standard licenses tin can be renewed completely online in nigh cases.
  • Starting in Oct one, 2021, only licenses/IDs that are Existent ID-compliant volition be accustomed as identification at airport security checkpoints. You lot will Not be able to board an airplane using a standard Mass. license or ID.
  • Youwill notwithstanding be able to use a valid passport (from whatever country), an EAD carte, a permanent resident card (green bill of fare), or whatsoever of theother documents listed to board flights or as ID to enter a federal building.
  • Until October 2020, your standard license or IDcan still be used to board an airplane; in federal buildings where ID is required, you lot already need REAL ID or one of the other federally accustomed documents listed above.

However, if you need to renew your driver's license or Mass. ID, or if y'all are applying for the first time, you will need proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence, regardless of whether you go a REAL ID or standard license (though the requirements for REAL ID are more stringent).

Equally part of the Driving Families Frontward campaign, MIRA is actively advocating to remove that requirement for the standard Mass. ID. Fourteen states and the District of Columbia allow residents to get licenses and IDs without proof of lawful presence.

Fundamental things to know:

  • A Social Security number alone will no longer be plenty to get a new or renewed license or Mass ID ofeither type.
  • To qualify for either blazon of license, yous must have documents showingU.Due south. citizenship or that you have been grantedat least 12 months of lawful presence. People with pending applications for asylum, TPS, adjustment of status, and others without a definite "duration" to their authorized stay will authorize for a 12-calendar month license.
  • All licenses will elapse on the same day as lawful presence expires, but no license can be issued for less than 2 months, or for more than 5 years.
  • If you lot qualify for a limited-term license (authorized stay ofless than five years), you need to apply or renew in person.

We have heard that some local RMV offices take misinterpreted the duration requirement past requiring at least one year of prior lawful presence, or one year of future presence.This is wrong. If you see such issues or have other questions, contact Michele Ellicks, RMV Community Outreach Coordinator, atMichele.Ellicks@state.ma.us.

If y'all are a TPS holder and take difficulties with a license renewal, delight contact Amy Grunder at MIRA. This is a mutual issue, unfortunately, just we can help you address it.

If y'all are a U.Southward. citizen, y'all can prove lawful presence with a U.S. passport or passport bill of fare, a certified re-create of a U.Due south. birth certificate, a certificate of citizenship, a document of naturalization, or a consular record of nascence abroad.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, hither are common documents you tin use to prove lawful presence:

  • Foreign passport with U.S. visa affixed and I-94 postage
  • Employment Authorization Card (work permit) (Form I-766 or I-688B)
  • Permanent Resident Card (green card) (Form I-551)

Still,there are many other document types that provide evidence of lawful presence, such every bit a refugee travel document, an asylum approval, evidence of a pending petition for asylum, TPS or aligning of status, and more. Note that the RMV flyers listed in the box at right practice not list these considering of infinite considerations.

How is lawful presence adamant?

The RMV will be using the Relieve organisation to verify lawful presence. This is the same organization that MassHealth uses to verify a person's eligibility for healthcare benefits. The Salvage arrangement electronically checks the U.Southward. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) database for your immigration records based on the data (such as document numbers) that you provide.It does not shop your data.

If the RMV cannot verify your condition electronically through Salvage, y'all'll have the opportunity to either scan or bring your documents in for review past specialized RMV staff.

Any other documents needed?

You lot will too need to testify proof of residency in Massachusetts: two documents for Real ID, 1 for a standard license or ID.While for a standard license, all yous need is to be able to upload scans of all these documents, for a REAL ID, you volition need to bring the originals with you. And for a Real ID, yous must also have your Social Security card, tax grade or pay stub showing yourtotal SSN, or if you don't take an SSN, y'all must bring an SSA deprival notice and a foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa affixed and an I-94 stamp – which also serves as proof of lawful presence.For a standard ID, you just need to enter your SSN for verification.

The RMV recommends that everyone start their application or renewal process online atmass.gov/rmv to determine what documents they will demand. Every bit a reminder, however, limited-term licenses (less than 5 years) will crave a visit to the RMV.

If you need to register a vehicle in Massachusetts:

Contrary to concerns circulating on social media, you Do NOT need to evidence lawful presence to register a vehicle in Massachusetts if you have a Social Security number or a valid driver's license from any land. Under the new regulations, you lot can register your vehicle with a Social Security number lone, OR with other evidence of lawful presence, OR with a valid driver's license from any country.