• • When will it be enforced?
    Effective May 3, 2023, you must present a REAL ID compliant Driver’s License or Identification Card or other accepted form of identification for official federal purposes.

*** Important Note: If your DL/ID expires after May 3, 2023, we encourage you to renew it sooner than later!

• • What alternative documents can I use for official federal purposes?
    In most cases you may use a valid U.S. Passport, Military ID or another federally approved form of identification. However, each agency or federal facility may require different or certain forms of identification. You may need to inquire directly with those entities before visiting their facility.

• • Do I need a REAL ID Driver’s License to drive after the enforcement date?
    No, you don’t have to have a REAL ID Driver’s License to drive.  You can still drive with a Standard Driver’s License, however, you can’t use it to board flights or enter any federal facilities after May 3, 2023.

• • What if I am unable to provide proof of Legal Status or I don’t want or need a REAL ID for official federal purposes?
    You may keep using your Standard Driver’s License or Identification Card or apply for one if you don’t have one.

• • What do I need to get a REAL ID compliant Driver’s License or Identification Card?
    You must provide proof of the following three (3) categories:

• • • Lawful Identity and Age
    • Identification Number
    • Proof of New Mexico Residency

Click HERE for the most recent list of acceptable documents by New Mexico MVD.

Note: If you need assistance understanding these documents or requirements, please call In & Out MVD today!  We are more than happy to assist you!

Click HERE to contact us.

• • What do I need to get a Standard Driver’s License or Identification Card?
    You must provide proof of the following two (2) categories:

• • • Proof of Identity and Age
    • Proofs of New Mexico Residency

Click HERE for the most recent list of acceptable documents by New Mexico MVD (Standard DL and ID).

Note: If you need assistance understanding these documents or requirements, please call In & Out MVD today!  We are more than happy to assist you!

Click HERE to contact us.

• • What can a Standard Driver’s License or Identification Card be used for?
    Both types of licenses are valid for driving, cashing a check, obtain state and local services and much more.  However, it cannot be used to board a flight, enter certain federal facilities or for any other official federal purpose.

• • Will my documents be accepted if they are not written in English?
    No.  Your documents must be translated to English and must be certified by the translator as a full and complete translation of the document.

Note: In & Out MVD offers translation services for your documents.  Since we are an MVD Partner Office we understand and know the exact requirements for these translations and will always guarantee our translation services. Call us today, we are here to serve you!.

Click HERE for more information about our translation services.

• • Can my documents be copies of the original document?
    No, your documents must be original or a certified copy.  A certified copy is a copy of a primary document that is endorsed by the entity that issued the original document.  Copies, notarized copies and non-certified copies will not be accepted.

• • Will the MVD verify that my documents are authentic?
    Yes, a REAL ID can only be issued after MVD has electronically verified the legal status and identification number documents via these sources:

• • • Verification of Legal Status (VLS): Immigration documents are matched to the records found in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system.
    • United States Passport Verification System (USPVS): Passport documents are matched by the MVD to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) records database.
    • Social Security Online Validation (SSOLV): Social Security Numbers are validated by the MVD with the Social Security Administration SSOLV.

• • What is a Legal Name?
    It is the name that a person uses for official purposes and must be reflected on your NM Driver’s License or Identification Card.  No nicknames are allowed.

• • What if my Legal Name changed?
    If your Lawful Identity and Age document is not the same as your current Legal Name, you must provide all documents to support the change.  These documents may be:

• • • Marriage Certificate(s)
    • Divorce Decree(s)
    • Adoption Records
    • Court Orders

• • What if my birth certificate has an error, do I have to amend it?
    Yes. If your name on your birth certificate is different than your Legal Name due to an error, then you will need to have it amended.  Common errors are:

• • • Misspelled name(s)
    • Name is out of order (Jane Mary Smith vs. Mary Jane Smith)
    • A different version of your name (Jose vs. Joe)

 Note: You can apply for a name correction with the Office of Vital Records from the State or Tribe in which you were born or registered.  Here are some useful links:

New Mexico Vital Records

Other States

• • What do I need to do to get my Legal Name changed through the courts?
    You may need to petition the court for a legal name change when your required documents do not clearly reflect the change from one name to another.  Some reasons to petition the court for a Legal Name change may include:

• • • Robert Manual Smith has been using, and wants his name to be Gary Smith
    • Geraldine Susan Goldstein signed her marriage certificate Joey S. Goldstein when she married Stephen Thomas. Now she wants to be called Joey S. Thomas or some other variation of Geraldine Susan Thomas
    • Gerald Michael Gutierrez has been using and wants to be known by his baptismal name Phillip Gerald M. Gutierrez
    • Paul Vincent Jones grew up with the Martin family and has been using the surname Martin without having been adopted or undergone a legal name change

Note: Use the following link for more information on changing your Legal Name through the New Mexico courts:

Legal name change