Having an identification card is important for your day to day life. If you live in New Jersey then you need a NJMVC REAL ID card to verify your identity to board an airplane, for work, or for other legal reasons.
The NJMVC Real ID card is processed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, also known as NJMVC. The NJ REAL ID contains your photograph, legal name, address, date of birth, and other physical identifying features.
So, how can you get a NJ REAL ID?
Well, you need to prepare the required documents and apply for them at the nearby NJMVC office.
So, continue reading to learn the important details to get your New Jersey Real ID.
How to get REAL ID in NJ?
To get a REAL ID, you need pass the 6-points of ID verification in New Jersey.
How does the 6 Point ID Verification Program Work?
New Jersey has a points based verification program for approving REAL ID. So, you will need to provide documents that are worth six points in total. 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.
Required Documents to get a REAL ID in NJ
According to nj.gov, you will need the following documents to get a NJ REAL ID.
- 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 NJ MVC. There are a lot of different documents that can be used as primary or secondary documents, or as a proof of address.
We have further explained below what documents are considered as primary and secondary documents.
Primary Documents for NJ REAL ID Verification
You must bring at least one primary document to the NJ MVC office 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:
| Document Type | Point Value | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate from the US Department of State | 4 | Issued in District of Columbia or US territory valid |
| US passport | 4 | Current or expired less than three years ago |
| Current New Jersey non-driver ID card, military photo ID card, or boat license | 4 | |
| Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship | 4 | |
| Current alien registration card | 2 | Without expiration date and with INS or USCIS verification |
| Current photo employment authorization card | 3 | Must be presented with valid social security card |
A Real ID is also available to Non-USA citizens but are residing in NJ legally. Non-USA citizens are required to bring the following documents also,
- 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
Required Secondary Documents to get NJ REAL ID
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:
| Document | Points |
|---|---|
| Civil marriage, domestic partnership or civil union certificate or divorce papers | 3 |
| Court order for legal name change | 3 |
| Current US Military card/US military retiree card | 3 |
| Valid New Jersey firearm purchaser card | 3 |
| US school/college ID card with transcript | 2 |
| Valid ID or driver’s license | 2 |
| US military discharge papers | 2 |
| FAA pilot license | 2 |
| Photo driver’s license | 1 |
| Social security card | 1 |
| Bank statement or record | 1 |
| ATM card with pre-printed name and signature | 1 |
| Current health insurance card | 1 |
| Employee ID card and printed pay stub | 1 |
| State professional license | 1 |
| High school or college diploma | 1 |
| Property tax statement, bill, or receipt | 1 |
| Veterans Affairs universal access photo ID | 1 |
For more information about the documents you need to bring, check out this official brochure published by the state of New Jersey.
Valid Proof of Address of Documents For REAL ID
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.
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.”
Wrapping 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.
For more information contact the local NJ MVC office or leave your queries in the comment section.