Iowa DOT Expanding Service Ahead of Real ID Deadline

They know you hate waiting in line, and before October 1st, nearly everyone will have to when the new "REAL ID" becomes a requirement in Iowa.

You'll need the new ID with a gold star to fly commercially or enter courthouses, military bases or power plants. As a result, DOT offices are seeing more customers than normal and have said they will be hiring more staff.

A DOT spokesperson told the Gazette that during the first week of March, 16,875 out of 21,484 IDOT customers were there to adopt a Real ID.

Eight temporary employees will be added to eight driver’s license stations across the state, including one in Cedar Rapids and one in Iowa City.

They are adding additional information desks at drivers' license stations for faster check-in and allowing online appointment scheduling for obtaining the REAL ID through the end of March.

What will you need when you walk in to obtain your REAL ID?

• A certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card or foreign passport with an approved form I-94.

• Proof of Social Security number, such as a Social Security card, W-2 or pay stub with the full number.

• A rental or lease agreement, mortgage bill, utility bill or employment, medical or school documents for proof of residency.

• An original or certified copy of a name change document such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree may be required.

Older IDs will still be fine to drive a car, purchase alcohol and cigarettes and gamble at Iowa casinos.