MADERA – Area residents interested in applying for a REAL ID can take advantage of a special event this weekend at the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ Madera field office. The DMV’s “REAL ID Saturday” event in Madera on December 7 will be dedicated exclusively to processing REAL ID applications.

Customers can stop by the office at their convenience (no appointments) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and must complete the online REAL ID application at eDLapp.dmv.ca.gov before their visit. DMV offices in Fresno, Clovis, Merced, and Visalia are among the more than 60 offices statewide that serve customers every Saturday, and customers can visit one of those offices for other services on December 7, as well as apply for a REAL ID.

The Madera office, which normally is open Monday through Friday, is offering this one-day-only Saturday service to encourage area residents to apply for a REAL ID.

“We’re excited to offer a one-day event in Madera that focuses solely on REAL ID transactions,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said. “Be sure to bring all the required documents and fill out the online application ahead of time.”

Starting October 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will require residents to show a valid passport or other federally approved documents, like a REAL ID driver license or identification card, to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities and military bases.

To apply for a REAL ID driver license or identification card, Californians must visit a DMV office and bring the following documents:

• One proof of identity* – original or certified (examples: valid passport, birth certificate)
  * Legal name change document(s) required if the name on the proof of identity is different than the current name
   
• One proof of Social Security number (examples: Social Security card, W-2)
   
• Two proofs of California residency – paper copies (examples: utility bill, bank statement)

Visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov for a complete list of acceptable documents, a helpful quiz to determine if you need a REAL ID and a link to the online application.

The DMV reminds customers that many transactions can be completed without visiting a field office, including renewing a vehicle registration or driver license (not available when first applying for a REAL ID), ordering replacement vehicle registration cards and stickers, and changing an address.