The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is expanding the requirements for proof of Social Security number for customers buying a Real ID.

PennDOT now accepts the following documents as proofs of Social Security number:

· a Social Security Card;
· a W-2 form;
· a SSA-1099 form;
· a non SSA-1099 form; or
· a pay stub with the applicant's name and full Social Security number on it.

"Obtaining a Real ID compliant driver's license or ID card is optional in Pennsylvania, but we want the process to be as convenient as possible while still following federal regulations," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. "We have confirmed that accepting these additional documents does not compromise the security or integrity of the Real ID program."

Real ID is a federal law that affects how states issue driver's licenses and ID cards if they are going to be acceptable for federal purposes, such as boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building that requires federally acceptable ID upon entry. While Pennsylvania does not require one, a federally acceptable form of identification like a Pennsylvania Real ID driver's license or ID card, a U.S. passport or a military ID must be used for these purposes beginning May 7, 2025.

There have been no changes to the rules surrounding the name as it appears on the proof of Social Security number. The name on the proof must still be the current legal name of the applicant.

If the name on the proof does not match the current legal name on their documents, the customer must update their name on the documents and provide an updated proof of Social Security number in order to apply for a Real ID.

To date, PennDOT has issued about 2 million Real ID products.