Massachusetts Real ID Application (Form LIC100)

Overview of Real ID Massachusetts Application

The Real ID Act established minimum security standards for identification cards and driver's licenses. Since REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant card, or another acceptable ID such as a US passport, is needed to board domestic flights, and for federal facilities that require ID and nuclear power plants, where agencies may phase in card-based enforcement (the NRC plans full enforcement at nuclear power plants from May 5, 2027), so check the facility's current ID rules. For domestic flights this applies to adults 18 and older. An adult without acceptable ID can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, but TSA may not be able to verify their identity; the payment is valid for 10 days from the travel start date entered when paying, travel after that requires paying again, and you show the payment receipt at the checkpoint. TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID when traveling within the United States, but an unaccompanied minor eligible for TSA PreCheck must show acceptable ID to receive PreCheck screening, and airlines may have their own ID requirements for travelers under 18. The state's Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) handles the Real ID application Massachusetts process, ensuring residents can update and maintain their identification cards. Massachusetts has no separate REAL ID application: you apply on the RMV's Driver's License, Learner's Permit or ID Card Application (form LIC100) and choose REAL ID or Standard ID on it.

The blank on this page is the RMV's LIC100 form, revision August 2024 (LIC100_0824), the form mass.gov currently serves.

Key components of the Massachusetts real ID application form (LIC100)

As with any other form, this Massachusetts document asks for the information that you will need to enter in the template. Here are the main parts:

• Personal Information: Section B, Applicant Information, focuses on your details (the first section, A, covers the service type). The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, gender, phone number, and email address. Be sure to provide accurate and up-to-date information to avoid any issues.
• Residential Address: Clearly indicate your current residential address. For a REAL ID you will also need two proofs of Massachusetts residency (see Document Verification below). Remember to include the street name, apartment number if applicable, city, state, and zip code.
• Citizenship Status: The form has no separate citizenship or immigration status section; its only citizenship question is a Yes/No item (F1) in the Voter Registration section. For a REAL ID you show your status with documents instead: you must be a US citizen, permanent resident, or have another lawful status you can document (some temporary statuses need documents showing an authorized stay of at least 12 months). This information helps the RMV determine your eligibility for a REAL ID.
• Document Verification: To apply for a REAL ID, bring one proof of lawful presence and date of birth (such as a valid, unexpired US passport), proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card that is not laminated and shows your current name; if you are not eligible for a number, an SSA denial notice dated within the last 60 days, together with your passport, visa and I-94), and two proofs of Massachusetts residency (such as utility bills dated within the last 60 days). If your current name does not match the name on your lawful presence document, also bring proof of each legal name change (a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court document). The form itself has no checklist of acceptable documents; it refers you to mass.gov/rmv for them.
• Signature and Date: As with any legal document, you must sign and date the application. By signing, you state that you have reviewed the completed application, including the Voter Registration Section, and swear (affirm) under the penalties of perjury that the information you have provided is true and correct.

How to Fill Out the Massachusetts Real ID Application

Once you have gathered all the necessary documents and information, the next step is to start the application process. Here are the steps to completing an application for real ID Massachusetts:

1. In section A, select the appropriate option on each line: Type (REAL ID or Standard ID), Document to Issue, Class of Learner's Permit/License (Class D, M, or both D/M, if applicable), and Service Type (New, Renewal, Replacement, Out-of-State Conversion, Reinstatement, CDL Downgrade, or Change of Information).
2. Fill out section B, Applicant Information, by providing your Full Legal Name, Date of Birth, Social Security Number, and current Massachusetts Learner's Permit or Driver's License number (if applicable). The section also asks about any prior permit, license, ID or registration.
3. If you are from another state, a U.S. territory, or a reciprocal country, fill out section C, Out of State Conversion, by providing your previous driver's license, learner's permit or ID card number and the state or country.
4. Provide the Required Demographic Information in section D: your Gender, Eye Color, and Height.
5. If you are an active duty member or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, complete the Military Status part of section D: check the matching box, answer the VETERAN designation question if you are a veteran, and give your military branch. Documentation is required if you check a box; visit mass.gov/rmv for acceptable documents.
6. If you are downgrading from a CDL, sign the CDL Downgrade acknowledgment in section E, which confirms that your CDL will be downgraded to a Class D, M, or D/M license and authorizes the RMV to process the transaction.
7. In section F, Voter Registration, answer the citizenship question (F1). For the rest of section F, read the voter registration information and eligibility conditions printed there and follow the instructions on the current official RMV application. Section F has no separate signature or date line; the certification you sign in section I says you have reviewed the completed application, including the Voter Registration Section.
8. Answer the Mandatory Questions in section G: question G1 is for every applicant, questions G2 to G4 only for learner's permit and license applicants.
9. If you are under 18 years of age, you will need Parent/Guardian Consent. Fill out this section by providing the Parent/Guardian Name, Relationship, and Signature; if the person giving consent is not a parent, proper documentation of their authority must be shown.
10. Sign and date the Certification and Signature of Applicant section.
11. Once you have filled in all required sections, save and print the form. For an in-person REAL ID application, book an appointment at an RMV Service Center. The RMV also describes assistance for customers who arrive without an appointment: if staff cannot help immediately, they check for a time slot later that day or over the next several days. Immediate walk-in service is not guaranteed. AAA members can book an online reservation for the RMV transactions their AAA location offers, such as renewing or replacing a license or Mass ID card; check that your transaction is offered there before booking. Customers who already have a full-term REAL ID may be able to renew online up to a year before it expires (check the RMV's eligibility rules), but drivers aged 75 or older must renew their driver's license in person.

Tips for a smooth real ID application Massachusetts process

There are some helpful tips to ensure a smooth Real ID Massachusetts Application process and avoid any unnecessary delays or complications:

• Prepare your documents well: Double-check that you have all the necessary documents (mass.gov/rmv lists the acceptable ones), and make sure they are original or certified copies. Photocopies, laminated documents, and documents that have been altered or are too damaged or unreadable to be relied on will not be accepted.
• Ask questions: If you have any questions or concerns about completing this Massachusetts application, please ask the RMV representative for assistance. They will be able to guide you through the process.
• Be patient: Obtaining a REAL ID in Massachusetts may take time, especially during busy periods. Book ahead and allow for possible waiting at the RMV. Check the RMV's current walk-in arrangements before going without an appointment; immediate service is not guaranteed. At AAA, make an online reservation and confirm that your membership and transaction qualify.