If you live in New Jersey (or anywhere, for that matter), you are going to need a NJMVC REAL ID identification card to verify your identity to board an airplane, for work, or for other legal reasons. This official NJMVC Real ID card is processed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and contains your photograph, legal name, address, date of birth, and other physical identifying features.

In order to get a REAL ID in the state of New Jersey, you are going to need:

2 proofs of a residential address
1 proof of a Social Security Number
6 proofs of identification (Primary document points + secondary document points must equal 6).

Having an identification card is important for your day to day life. There are a few things you need to know about getting a Real ID card from New Jersey, so continue reading to know the important details you need to get your New Jersey Real ID.

How can I get a REAL ID in New Jersey?

Get NJMVC REAL ID in NJ with 6 Point ID Verification

In order to get a REAL ID, you are going to need to gather identifying documents that have been sent to your house or documents that you already own. According to nj.gov, you are going to need:

At least one Primary Document
At least one Secondary Document
Verifiable Social Security Number
Proof of Address

With these documents, you will be ready to get your Real Identification card from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. There are a lot of different documents that can be used as primary or secondary documents, or as a proof of address. But you might be asking yourself, “What is the difference between a Real ID and a regular ID?”

NJ Real ID vs a Regular ID

Starting May 7th, 2025, you will not be able to fly domestically in the United States without a Real ID. The Real ID has a star icon on the corner and provides proof of citizenship. A regular ID has the words, “Not for “Real ID “purposes.”

How does the 6 Point ID Verification Program Work?

New Jersey has a verification program that is a point-based system. This is a point-based system. Some documents are worth 4 points while others can be worth 1, 2, or 3 points. The combination of primary and secondary documents should be at least six.

What Primary Documents can I bring?

You must bring at least one primary document to the motor vehicle commission to start the process of getting your real ID. The documents can range from four, three, and two points. Here are the categories of what you can bring and how many points they are worth:

Worth four points:
- Birth certificate from the US Department of state. (District of Columbia or US territory are valid
- US passport {Current or expired less than three years ago)
- Current New Jersey non-driver ID card, military photo ID card, or boat license
- Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
Worth 2 points
- Current alien registration card without expiration date and with INS or USCIS verification
Worth 3 points
- Current photo employment authorization card. (Must be presented with valid social security card)

A Real ID is also available to those who are not yet citizens of the United States but are residing here legally. There are also documents you need to bring if you are a non-citizen of the United States. These documents are:

Foreign passport and valid Form I-551 stamp or record of arrival/departure
Current alien registration card with expiration date and verification
Refugee travel document
Valid re-entry form

What Secondary Documents can I bring?

The six-point verification process is a combination of points from primary and secondary documents. Here is a list of the secondary documents you can bring to get the Real ID:

3 Point Documents
- Civil marriage, domestic partnership or civil union certificate or divorce papers
- Court order for legal name change
- Current US Military card/US military retiree card
- Valid New Jersey firearm purchaser card.
2 Point Document
- US school/college ID card with transcript
- Valid ID or driver’s license
- US military discharge papers
- FAA pilot license
1 point documents (Note: You cannot use more than two)
- Photo driver’s license
- Social security card
- Bank statement or record
- ATM card with pre printed name and signature
- Current health insurance card
- Employee ID card and printed pay stub
- State professional license
- High school or college diploma
- Property tax statement, bill, or receipt
- Veterans Affairs universal access photo ID

For more information about the documents you need to bring, check out this official brochure published by the state of New Jersey.

What Documents can I bring for a Proof of Address?

You need to prove that you live in your current address in order to fully process your identification card. Here are a few things you can bring to proof:

Utility/credit card bill issued in the past 90 days.
Checking or savings account statement from last 60 days
Original lease or rental agreement with your name or renters
Property tax bill, receipt, or statement from past year.
First class mail from government agency

You only need one of these documents to prove that you live at your address. Check your mail and remember the time span of the documents. Some need to be from the past 60 or 90 days.

Summing Up

Having an official state identification card opens the doors to employment, opening your own bank account, boarding a plane, and other important things. Starting on May 7th 2025, New Jersey residents will need to have a Real ID in order to board an airplane.

You can get a Real ID from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission by bringing two proofs of address, primary documents, secondary documents, and a valid social security number. If you are not a US citizen, there are other documents you can bring instead. Check out reliable government websites if you have more questions regarding documents you need to get your real ID before 2025.

Get NJ REAL ID at NJMVC: 6 Point ID Verification