Oswego County Reminds Residents of REAL ID Deadline

OSWEGO COUNTY – Oswego County Clerk Terry Wilbur reminds residents to visit a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office to get a REAL ID or Enhanced ID before the deadline on Wednesday, May 7. Starting May 7, federal rules will require people to have a REAL ID or Enhanced ID in order to board domestic flights and enter secure federal facilities.

“With less than two months until the REAL ID deadline, we want to encourage residents to come into one of our three DMV offices to ensure they’re compliant with the new rules,” said Wilbur. “Don’t miss out on your summer travel plans due to not having the right identification. Even if your license, permit, or non-driver ID is not due for renewal yet, you should still get the REAL ID or Enhanced ID as soon as possible. Our friendly staff is ready to help you with this process.”

The REAL ID Act was passed by congress in 2005 and establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses, permits, and ID cards. While a REAL ID is optional and is not needed to be licensed to drive or to vote, it is required for those flying within the United States or entering secure federal facilities. Enhanced IDs or U.S. passports are acceptable alternatives to the REAL ID.

“The main difference between a REAL ID and an Enhanced ID is that an Enhanced ID can be used instead of a passport to return to the U.S. by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and some countries in the Caribbean,” added Wilbur. “Both documents are REAL ID compliant, along with U.S. passports.”

Residents that already have an Enhanced ID do not need to amend their license.

Both REAL and Enhanced IDs have markings indicating which type of document they are. Those with REAL IDs will see a black circle with a star in the middle located on the upper righthand corner of their license. Enhanced IDs have an American flag either in the upper righthand corner (if issued after March 10, 2022) or on the bottom righthand corner (if issued between Jan. 28, 2014, to March 9, 2022).

Residents can obtain their new ID by visiting an Oswego County DMV Office. There are three locations, each open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Oswego DMV office is open until 6:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• Oswego: 384 E. River Rd., 315-349-8300
• Fulton: 200 N. Second St., 315-591-9136
• Pulaski: 2 Broad St., 315-298-6521

For more information about the REAL ID or Enhanced ID, including application requirements, visit the Oswego County Department of Motor Vehicles website at https://www.oswegocounty.com/government/county_clerk/department_of_motor_vehicles.php.

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