Effective January 15, 2013, the Iowa DOT began issuing REAL ID cards. The cards, which are a coordinated effort by the states and the federal government, were developed to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents, which should reduce fraud and deter acts of terrorism. People born on or after December 1, 1964, will have to obtain a REAL ID by December 1, 2014. Those born before December 1, 1964, will have until December 1, 2017 to obtain their REAL ID. The initial REAL ID must be obtained in person.

Data requirements

• A Real ID-compliant form of identification requires, at a minimum, the following pieces of data:
• Full legal name,
• Signature,
• Date of birth,
• Gender,
• Unique, identifying number,
• Principal residence address,
• Front-facing photograph of the applicant.

Documentation required before issuing a license or ID card
Before a card can be issued, the applicant must provide the following documentation”

• A photo ID, or a non-photo ID that includes full legal name and birth date.
• Documentation of birth date.
• Documentation of legal status and Social Security number*.
• Documentation showing name and principal residence address.
• Digital images of each identity document will be stored in each state’s DMV database.

Document Verification Requirements
*States may accept several types of documents as proof of social security number: a social security card, a W-2 form, an SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub bearing the applicant's name and SSN.

Learn more about the REAL ID via the Iowa DOT.