Press Release

OKLAHOMA CITY —With federal enforcement of REAL ID requirements starting May 7, Service Oklahoma is reminding residents to plan ahead for upcoming travel needs. While Oklahomans can continue to apply for a REAL ID after May 7, travelers should be aware that temporary paper IDs issued at the time of application are not accepted for air travel.

Permanent REAL ID-compliant credentials are mailed and typically arrive within 10 to 14 business days after visiting a Service Oklahoma location or licensed operator.

To support customers ahead of the May 7 enforcement date, Service Oklahoma has expanded after-hours and Saturday appointment availability at key locations statewide in May.

REAL ID by the Numbers (as of April 28)

• 2,193,532 REAL ID-compliant credentials issued
• 1,546,872 active REAL ID-compliant credentials
• 3,496,871 total active credentials
• 44.2% statewide compliance rate

Service Oklahoma continues to work with licensed operators to offer REAL ID services at more than 270 locations across all 77 counties, meaning 95% of Oklahomans are within 20 miles of a location offering REAL ID services.

May 7 Is Enforcement Day, Not a Deadline to Apply
May 7 marks the start of federal REAL ID enforcement—not the last opportunity to apply.
Residents can continue applying for a REAL ID at Service Oklahoma and licensed operator locations after this date. However, travelers with upcoming trips should act quickly, as temporary paper licenses are not valid for flying or entering certain federal facilities.

Starting May 7, travelers must present either a REAL ID-compliant license (with the gold star) or another acceptable form of ID, such as a valid U.S. passport, at airport security checkpoints.

REAL ID is only required for:

• Boarding domestic flights
• Entering certain federal buildings or military bases
• Enrolling in programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR

A standard Oklahoma credential will still be valid for driving, voting and general identification, as applicable.

Expanded Evening and Saturday Appointments in May
Service Oklahoma is offering more ways to prepare for summer and fall travel:

• After-hours REAL ID appointments will be available at six locations — Chickasha, Hinton, Muskogee, OKC Classen, Stillwater and Tulsa Eastgate — Monday through Friday from 6–8 p.m. during the week of May 5–9.
• Saturday after-hours appointments will also be available from 12–5 p.m. at these same six locations every Saturday in May.
• Seasonal Saturdays continue at four locations — Edmond, Norman, Oklahoma City Southwest and Tulsa Eastgate — offering walk-in service from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Appointments for after-hours slots must be scheduled in advance. Customers are also encouraged to check the live wait map for daytime walk-in service availability at any Service Oklahoma location during regular business hours. Using the online waitlist helps customers find the shortest waits nearby and choose the best time to visit.

For full details on REAL ID requirements, the personalized REAL ID checklist and more, visit service.ok.gov/REALID.

Service Oklahoma: Oklahomans Helping Oklahomans 
Service Oklahoma's mission is to ease the stress of navigating government services while providing a best-in-class customer experience. Service Oklahoma provides driver license and motor vehicle services on behalf of the state both online and in-person. Service Oklahoma’s partnership with licensed operators (formerly tag agents) provides essential services in all 77 counties at 270+ locations across the state.