Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon is reminding residents that the federal REAL ID Act compliance deadline is approaching on Oct. 1.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had previously extended the enforcement deadline of the REAL ID Act from October 2020 to Oct. 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release.
The federal government enacted the REAL ID Act following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks to require better secure identification for domestic travel and access to certain
federal facilities, according to the press release.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, starting in October, an individual must have a REAL ID compliant driver license/identification to fly within the United States, unless that individual uses a U.S. passport or another federally approved form of identification. Until that date, a standard New Jersey driver license will be valid for air travel within the United States.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is currently issuing REAL ID driver license/IDs by appointment only, which can be made on the MVC website at state.nj.us/mvc/realid
“I encourage all Monmouth County residents to be mindful of the REAL ID Act
compliance deadline of Oct. 1, 2021 by obtaining a REAL ID or alternative, such
as a U.S. passport, for future domestic travel by air or entrance to certain federal
buildings,” Hanlon said.
Passport applications are accepted at the Monmouth County clerk’s two nationally
recognized passport offices by appointment only at this time:
• Freehold Borough – Monmouth County Clerk’s Office at 33 Mechanic St., located in the Market Yard parking lot (south of Main Street). The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 732-431-7324 to schedule an appointment.
• Neptune – Monmouth County Connection at 3544 Route 66 (near Home Depot). The hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 732-303-2828 to schedule an appointment.
Information about the required documentation to apply for a passport can be found on
the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office website at MonmouthCountyClerk.com
For more information about the Federal READ ID Act and New Jersey’s compliancy,
visit the New Jersey MVC website at state.nj.us/mvc/realid
