A Massachusetts Real ID credential is a driver's license or ID card marked with a gold or silver star in the upper right corner
Massachusetts began issuing Real ID credentials in 2020. The star is the only visible difference between a standard Massachusetts license and a Real ID license — it appears in the top right corner of the card and indicates that the document meets federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security.
The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, set minimum security requirements for state-issued IDs used for federal purposes. Massachusetts complied with these requirements and now issues credentials that work for boarding domestic flights, entering federal buildings, and accessing military bases without needing a passport or other federal document.
If you already have a Massachusetts driver's license or ID card issued after 2020, check the upper right corner. If you see a star there, you already hold a Real ID credential. If your card was issued before 2020 or you cannot see a star, your current card does not meet Real ID standards, though you can still use it for driving and most state purposes.
Key Takeaways
- The Real ID star appears in the upper right corner of Massachusetts driver's licenses and ID cards issued after 2020.
- A Real ID credential is required to board domestic flights, enter federal buildings, and access military bases without a passport.
- Massachusetts driver's licenses and ID cards issued before 2020 do not carry the Real ID star and do not meet federal standards.
- You can renew your existing Massachusetts license to a Real ID credential by visiting the Registry of Motor Vehicles in person with proof of citizenship and identity.
How the Real ID star differs from a standard Massachusetts license
The star is small but unmistakable once you know where to look. On a Real ID credential, it sits in the upper right corner of the front of the card, above your photo. The star is either gold or silver depending on when your card was issued. A standard Massachusetts license or ID card issued before the state began issuing Real ID credentials will have no star in that location.
Beyond the star, the card layout, colors, and other security features remain the same. The star is the only change you will notice. This means you cannot tell by looking at someone else's card whether it is Real ID unless you specifically check that corner.
When you need a Real ID credential versus when you do not
You need a Real ID credential to board a domestic flight within the United States, enter a federal building that requires ID, or access a military base. If you have a passport, passport card, or military ID, you can use any of those instead of a Real ID credential for these purposes — you do not need both.
You do not need a Real ID credential to drive, renew your vehicle registration, or use your license for most everyday purposes like buying alcohol or opening a bank account. A standard Massachusetts license works for all of those. The Real ID requirement applies only to federal purposes.
If you rarely fly or enter federal buildings, you may not need to upgrade to a Real ID credential. But if you plan to fly domestically or access federal facilities, you will need either a Real ID credential, a passport, a passport card, or a military ID.
How to get a Massachusetts Real ID credential
Visit a Registry of Motor Vehicles branch in person. You cannot renew to Real ID online or by mail. Bring your current Massachusetts driver's license or ID card, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers).
The Registry will verify your documents, take a new photo, and issue your Real ID credential on the spot or mail it to you within a few weeks depending on the branch. There is no additional fee to upgrade from a standard license to a Real ID credential — you pay the standard renewal fee, which varies based on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid.
Processing times vary by branch. Some Registry locations issue the card when ready; others mail it within two to three weeks. Call your local Registry branch before you visit to ask about current wait times and whether you need to schedule an appointment.
What documents the Registry will ask for
Bring your current Massachusetts driver's license or ID card. This serves as your identity document and shows your current address. Bring proof of your Social Security number — your actual Social Security card is easiest, but a W-2, 1099, or tax return showing your full number will work.
Bring proof of citizenship. A U.S. birth certificate is the most common choice. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship also work. If you were born outside the United States, bring your naturalization papers or certificate of citizenship.
If your name has changed since your birth certificate was issued, bring a document showing the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The Registry needs to confirm that the name on your birth certificate matches the name you are using now.
Real ID credentials and REAL ID Act compliance
The Real ID Act requires states to verify that applicants are who they say they are and that they are lawfully present in the United States. Massachusetts meets these requirements by checking your Social Security number against federal records and verifying your citizenship or immigration status.
The star on your card signals to federal agencies that Massachusetts has completed these checks. When you present a Real ID credential at an airport or federal building, the staff member can see when ready that your identity has been verified to federal standards.
This does not mean a Real ID credential is more find than a standard license for everyday use. It means the card was issued under stricter verification rules. For driving and most state purposes, a standard Massachusetts license is just as valid.
What to do if your Real ID credential is lost or stolen
Report the loss to the Registry of Motor Vehicles and request a replacement. You will need to visit a Registry branch in person with proof of your identity and Social Security number, just as you did when you first obtained the Real ID credential. The Registry will issue a new card with the same Real ID star.
If you need to fly or enter a federal building before your replacement arrives, bring a passport, passport card, or military ID instead. These documents work for the same federal purposes as a Real ID credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my standard Massachusetts license to fly domestically?
No, not after May 2025. Starting that date, you will need a Real ID credential, passport, passport card, or military ID to board a domestic flight. A standard Massachusetts license will no longer be accepted. If your license does not have the star, you should upgrade before that important date.
Does a Real ID credential work for international travel?
No. A Real ID credential is for domestic flights and federal building access only. For international travel, you need a passport or passport card. A Real ID credential cannot replace a passport.
How long does a Real ID credential stay valid?
Massachusetts Real ID credentials are valid for the same length of time as standard licenses — typically five or six years depending on your age. When your credential expires, you can renew it at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
What if I do not have a birth certificate?
You can use a passport, passport card, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship instead. If you have none of these, contact your state's vital records office to request a copy of your birth certificate. The Registry can tell you where to send that request.
Is there an extra cost to get a Real ID credential?
No. You pay the standard renewal fee for a Massachusetts driver's license or ID card. There is no additional charge to add the Real ID star. The fee depends on the type of license and how long you want it valid.