If you live in California I am sure you have heard you will soon need the NEW California Real ID.  At the airport signs show to continue with Domestic travel in and out of California you will need the NEW California Real ID by October 1, 2020.  

 ***Update*** This post was scheduled in advance I wrote it over a week ago.  The California Real ID deadline date will likely be changed due to the COVID-19 "Shelter in Place" order in California.  President Trump said in a task force briefing on Monday, March 23, 2020 due to the Coronavirus, the Real ID deadline date will be postponed to give relief to Californians.  I do not have that new date as of yet, I will update this post once I hear of the new date.  

 ***Update***
The Federal Government will begin enforcing REAL ID on October 21, 2021 (one year later than previously announced).

 With the updated "Shelter in Place" order, I am not suggesting you run out today and visit the DMV, a great idea though is to schedule out an appointment for late April or May.  While you are home, you could gather all the necessary documents and place them in a folder or envelope.  When the Shelter in Place order is lifted you will be ready to head to the DMV and get this taken care of.  
Beginning on the next paragraph is my original blog post on my California Real ID Process prior to the Shelter in Place order.  I share an encouraging story, about my experience so I hope you will continue to read and share this post.  Thank you!

 While you can still use a passport to travel, I try and travel minimalist style.  With four boys I try to find ways to pack as light as possible, I know you moms know.  While I have a passport, I would so much rather travel with a small ID card, than carry around my passport, their birth certificates along with all the other things I have to take as a mom. I know if we are going out of the country than I have to take our passports, but if we are traveling to Disneyland I do not want to take my passport.   

 I decided to make it easier on me, just to get it done.  What I did not expect was that I would have to re-take my drivers test.  NO YOU PROBABLY will not have to.  I did because my license expires this year on my birthdate and I am in the weird in between spot between where they send the letter saying you just have to renew by mail and the deadline to get the new California Real ID.  

 The DMV attendant suggested I just take the test and avoid possibly having to re-pay, and could possibly have to test anyway.  She was so kind and encouraging, she could tell I was not thrilled about taking the test.  She confidently assured me that I would probably pass and if not, than I could study and come back.  You can take the test up to three times.  

 I was seriously considering taking a book, studying and then coming back to test.  It was her confidence that reassured me to stay and attempt the test.  I know it may sound silly, but I hate tests, my heart started to race, I started to think, what if I don't pass.  After leaving I thought to myself, my goodness why did I immediately think that I wouldn't pass, why did I think it was going to be too hard?  
Her confidence in me, a complete stranger reminded me to express confidence in others everywhere I go.  She automatically expected me to pass and it came through in her words. What are you expecting? Of yourself and others? I’m talking to myself! Too often we expect a long process, we expect we will fail and have to redo it, we expect it to be difficult. What are you expecting?


I am so grateful she took the time to encourage me, she even offered tips.  She said, "you’ve been driving for years I’m sure you’ll pass. It’s multiple choice, take your time and I’m sure you’ll do just fine."  She gave me a great tip that if I was unsure about a question to skip it, you receive three skips, then you can come back to those at the end of the test, which some of the other questions my jog your memory on those, rather than chance you may get it wrong, you can only miss three questions.  

 This is your encouragement to expect great things! Expect favor! Expect blessings! Expect health and wellness! Expect promotion! Expect your dreams coming to pass! Turn up your expectancy!  Don’t be distracted by all the craziness going on around you, your circumstances or situation, look up and expect great things!

 While I wanted to encourage you with this post I also wanted to remind you not to wait until the last minute, to apply for your California Real ID.  The DMV offices will be busier as the deadline date approaches, if you have the time stop in and take care of it.  I was in and out of the DMV office in less than an hour and that's with having to re-take the driving test and without an appointment.  
Here was my process:
I visited as a walk in, no appointment scheduled.  You can schedule an appointment online.  Check with your local DMV for their hours of operation before you visit. 

 As for the documents you need to bring I brought my passport, my social security card and some mail as proof of residency.  I brought extra mail and I am so glad I did because the lease agreement which is on the list as approved I brought, is the lease agreement I have not mailed in yet to our property management so because it is not yet signed by them, I couldn't use it.  Thankfully I had a medical form that was mailed in my name and a credit card letter that was mailed in my name.  

 At the "Start" counter, they verify you brought the proper documents, than send you to a computer to fill out an application. You can pre-fill this application before you go to save time if you need.  It's basic questions along with asking your eye color, hair color, weight, address, and information.  Once you finish the screen gives you a number G-037, you write that on the card with your folder of documents and you wait for your number to be called.  

 I visited on a Thursday morning at 9 AM, my number was called at 9:10 AM.  Once my number was called I went to the counter, they make copies of all your documents, you pay the fee $37.86 and then they send you to another counter to have your photo taken.  As for methods of payment they accept (cash, check, debit card credit card and mobile payment).  I would have been finished in twenty minutes.  Since I had to take the additional step of re-testing, after taking my photo I was sent back to the touch screen computers to test. 
Upon passing my test, I was sent to another counter to sign a temporary paper drivers license and notified my new updated drivers license and California Real ID would arrive in the mail in approximately two weeks.  I was finished at 9:40, it was a quick and easy process even with taking the test.  

I went into my local DMV office on Thursday, March 12th.  My California Real ID actually arrived on Saturday, March 21st, that was a really quick turnaround.  I love my picture by the way, finally a photo ID picture I love.  
Steps to apply for California Real ID
Pre-Apply on-line to save time.  
Link: https://bit.ly/2Ueog4Q

 Documents Needed for Proof of Identity
To apply for a REAL ID card, you must present ONE identity document that includes your date of birth and your true full name (frist, middle and last).  
  • Valid, unexpired US Passport or Passport Card
  • Original or Certified copy of US birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office).  
  • US Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of US Citizen
  • Unexpired foreign passport with valid US Visa and approved I-94 form
  • Certified copy of birth certificate from a US Territory
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of US Citizenship
  • Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card
  • Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Document 
  • Valid Permanent Resident Card
  • Unexpired foreign passport stamped "processed for I-551
  • Documents reflecting TPS benefit eligibility
You must also present ONE original (not a copy) document that shows your name and full Social Security Number (SSN).  Make sure your document is up to date and accurate to avoid delay.  If you need to correct or update information with the Social Security Administration do so several days before you apply for a REAL ID.

 Accepted items:
  • Valid Social Security Card
  • W-2 Form
  • Social Security Administration 1099 form
  • Pay stub with full SSN
Two Proofs of Residency
Two different printed documents are required--no electronic files.
To prove that you live in California, you must present TWO documents that contain your California mailing address.  BOTH documents must show the applicant's first and last name and the same mailing address that is listed on the driver license or identification card application.
  
If your name does not appear on any residency documents, you may present a birth certificate, marriage license, or domestic partner registration certificate to trace your relationship to person whose name DOES appear on the residency documentation.  For example a, minor may use a residency documents showing their parent or legal guardian's name, but they must also present a birth certificate proving their relation to the person listed on the residency documents.  The name of the residency documents must match the name on the tracing document.

 Accepted items:
  • Rental or lease agreement with with the signature of the owner/landlord and the tenant/resident.
  • Deed or title to residential real property.
  • Mortgage bill
  • Home utility bill (including cellular phone)
  • School documents issued by a public or private school, college or university that includes the applicant's date of birth.  
  • Medical documents.
  • Employment documents.
  • Insurance documents, including medical, dental, vision, life, home, rental or vehicle.
  • Tax return from IRS or California Franchise Tax Board.
  • Change of address confirmation by the US Postal Service.
  • Property tax bill or statement.
  • Faith-based document that includes the name and address of organization.
  • Records from any state or national bank, state or federal savings association, trust company, loan company, state or federal credit union or any institution or entity that has issued a credit card
  • Voter registration confirmation letter or postcard.
  • Proof of payment of resident tuition at a public institution of higher education in California.
  • An original copy of an approved claim of Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption.
  • Court documents that list the applicant as a resident of California.
  • Letter attesting that the applicant resides in California from a homeless shelter, shelter for abused women, non-profit entity, employer or government agency within the United States.
  • California Certificate of Vehicle or Vessel Titles or registration.
  • A DMV No Fee Identification Card
For more information, to pre-apply, or print out a checklist visit https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/.
If you have already obtained your California Real ID, congrats, I'd love to hear how your experience went.  If you have not I hope this is your reminder to get it taken care of sooner than later.  Thank you for reading if you’ve enjoyed the content you’ve read above please share with your friends.  
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