State House Passes Benninghoff REAL ID Legislation

April 24, 2025

HARRISBURG – The state House has unanimously approved legislation authored by state Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) that would expand the number of documents which are eligible for use as part of applying for a REAL ID. House Bill 238 now moves to the state Senate for consideration. 

“Current federal law severely limits the ability of states to make changes to their respective REAL ID application processes,” said Benninghoff. “With the date looming for Pennsylvanians to get a REAL ID, my legislation would simply allow applicants to present multiple forms of identification.”

House Bill 238 would require PennDOT to accept the following documents permitted under the REAL ID Act of 2005 for the purpose of reviewing an application for a REAL ID and verifying the applicant’s Social Security number: 

   • A Social Security Card 
   • W-2 form 
   • SSA 1099 form 
   • A non-SSA 1099 form 
   • A pay stub that fulfills the REAL ID requirements.

As of May 7, federal law will require individuals to present a federally accepted form of identification to board a commercial domestic flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door. Federally accepted forms of identification include a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a military ID.

The REAL ID Act of 2005 established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. 


Representative Kerry Benninghoff
171st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717-260-6137
Slittle@pahousegop.com
KerryBenninghoff.com / Facebook.com/RepBenninghoff