(FOX40.COM) — Californians may need to take a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) to get their REAL ID soon ahead of an impending deadline. According to the DMV, the deadline has been set for May 7 when residents must have a REAL ID to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal faculties such as federal courthouses or military bases. As of Jan. 1, more than 18 million Californians have upgraded to the REAL ID identification card or driver's license, which is about 55% of all drivers and ID cardholders, according to the DMV. Here are some of the steps you need to take when you're getting ready to go to the DMV: Complete a Driver License or ID Card Application Visit a DMV office Show your Social Security number Verify your identity with an acceptable identity with your current name matching the documents Pay the nonrefundable application fee Have your thumbprint scanned Have your photo taken Chris Orrock, a spokesperson from the DMV, said to FOX40.com that when it comes to documents it does need to be the original. Orrock said, "It does need to be an original certified document because you have to bring that document in when you have that office visit, you have to be able to show our team member when you come into the office this is the document I uploaded and it has to be an original certified document." After applying for the REAL ID, the average wait time for your card to arrive in the mail is three to four weeks, the DMV said.