Do I need a Georgia REAL ID? Here’s what to know before the deadline
The deadline to obtain a REAL ID is fast approaching. Starting Wednesday, May 7, any U.S. resident taking a domestic flight will be required to show either a passport or a REAL ID.
What is a REAL ID?
The REAL ID is a form of federal identification with strict standards that were established in 2005. It can be issued as a driver’s license, a driver’s permit or an identification card. The ID has a star in the upper right corner.
You need a REAL ID to:
- Fly
- Access some federal buildings
- Visit a military base
Are REAL ID’s mandatory?
Short answer, not really.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, you can use a valid U.S. passport for every location that will require a REAL ID. But, if you do not travel outside of the U.S., a REAL ID is faster and cheaper to get.
You will not need a REAL ID to drive, vote, make a bank transaction, visit a hospital, go to court or receive federal benefits.
What will you need to apply for a REAL ID?
To get a REAL ID, you will need the following:
- Your social security card or any official document with your social security number on it (like a W-2 tax form or pay stub)
- A certified copy of your birth certificate
- Two proofs of your Georgia residency (in other words, your utility bills, bank statements or voter registration card)
- $32 fee, paid in cash or by credit card
When and where can you obtain a REAL ID?
You must apply for a REAL ID in person at any Georgia Department of Driver Services Customer Service Center. To find the closest one to you, visit dds.georgia.gov.
The DDS office hours vary by location. For more assistance, call 678-413-8400.
Here are the locations in Middle GA:
- Forsyth: 105 Industrial Park Road; closed Sunday and Monday; open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday
- Macon: 200 Cherry Street; closed Sunday and Monday; open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday
- Milledgeville: 200 Carl Vinson Road; closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday; open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday
- Perry: 450 Larry Walker Pkwy.; Closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday; open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday
- Warner Robins: 198 Carl Vinson Pkwy.; Closed Sunday and Monday; open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; open 8 a.m. to noon Saturday
This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 9:13 PM.
