North Carolina REAL ID Driver Licenses and ID Cards: What You Need to Know

REAL ID is required for domestic air travel and access to federal facilities

Since October 1, 2020 federal agencies require REAL ID compliant identification to board commercial flights and enter secure federal buildings. In North Carolina you can choose to add the gold star to your driver license or ID card so you have a single credential accepted by TSA and other agencies.

Who needs a REAL ID

Anyone flying on a domestic flight or entering a federal facility without other approved identification needs a REAL ID. Alternatives include a valid U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, DHS Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry NEXUS SENTRI or FAST), military ID or federally recognized tribal ID. Standard NC licenses without the star require you to show extra ID at TSA checkpoints.

How to apply or upgrade

Visit any NC DMV driver license office in person. Bring originals of:

• One proof of identity, such as a certified birth certificate or valid U.S. passport
• One document showing your Social Security number, like your Social Security card or W-2
• Two documents proving North Carolina residency, such as utility bills or bank statements dated within 60 days

If you already have a standard NC license you can upgrade to REAL ID at renewal or any time before expiration by paying the duplicate license fee and presenting these documents.

Cost and features

The REAL ID driver license and ID card costs the same as a standard license. It displays a gold star in the top right corner. NC licenses without the star remain valid for driving and general identification but cannot be used for TSA or federal building access.

More information

For full details and a complete list of acceptable documents visit the NC DMV REAL ID page at ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/nc-real-id or call your local DMV office.