CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Massachusetts residents have less than six months to obtain a REAL ID for domestic flights or entering certain federal buildings. Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID will be necessary for anyone using a license to board a flight traveling within the country. If you plan to get a REAL ID, you should consider applying now before any influx of applications. Nonstop flights added from Bradley International Airport to Bermuda “Do not wait. We are six months away from the REAL ID federal requirement going into effect and strongly urge Massachusetts residents who wish to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant credential to act as soon as possible,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “For customers who qualify for a REAL ID and want to renew and upgrade, we recommend you schedule your appointment at least three weeks before your birthday so that you can receive your credential in the mail ahead of your expiration. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, and its partner AAA Northeast, have successfully been issuing REAL ID credentials since 2018 and are prepared for interested residents prior to the May 2025 deadline.”  Massachusetts REAL ID Checklist Applicants must provide proof of legal name, Social Security number, Massachusetts residency, and two forms of your address. All documents must be originals, photocopies and laminated documents will not be accepted. A document cannot be used to prove more than one requirement. Acceptable documents for these cards include a valid passport, birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, valid permanent resident card, U.S. certificate of naturalization, unexpired employment authorization document or foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa. For a full list of acceptable documents visit Mass.gov. You’ll need to present these documents in person to get a REAL ID but, you may be able to start some of the process online. How much does a REAL ID cost? The fee for renewing a non-commercial standard or a REAL ID driver’s license is $50.   The fee for renewing a Mass ID is $25.   The amendment fee for upgrading to a standard or REAL ID credential before an existing credential’s expiration is $25.   Customers with a less than five-year stay in the U.S. pay a pro-rated fee.   Do I already have a REAL ID? (MassDOT) Acceptable ID for TSA Checkpoints REAL ID will only be required on a flight if you are using a license to identify yourself but there are several types of identifications that can alternatively be used: REAL ID U.S. passport U.S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents Permanent resident card Border crossing card An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe HSPD-12 PIV card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation worker identification credential U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) Local News Headlines Deadline: REAL ID enforcement goes into effect in six months Coffee & Conversation event connects veterans in Chicopee Police seized 16 kilograms of fentanyl, Lawrence woman sentenced Final environmental study released on replacing aging F-15 aircraft at Barnes ANGB in Westfield WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.