Confusion about getting State ID

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I've recently moved to cross-country to New York state, the biggest move I've done since I was a baby, which is a whole different topic. I'm planning a vacation in a couple months that involves air travel, which is a good thing. However, I haven't exchanged my out-of-state (non-driver's liscense) ID, which I've now discovered had to be done within 30 days. (It's been over 60 days). I'm afraid they won't let me on the plane with my California ID. I'm trying to understand how to get a New York ID. Reading these websites makes my head spin. It seems I need a birth certificate to get an ID and I need a valid ID to get a copy of my birth certificate! Another method to get the birth certificate was mentioned, getting notarized letters from my parents. The letters will be no problem, but do I have to hire a Notary Public?! This all seems very involved. I just want to be excited about my trip, but life always seems to be overcomplicated and full of dull-yet-confusing chores.

The other thing I'm worried about is that applying for my ID will get me put in for Jury Duty. Once, I was called for Jury Duty at the same time as a trip. Luckily, I wasn't chosen to appear, but until I found out, I was terrified my trip would be taken away.

Then, there's the Real ID. I'll need that if I want to fly again next year. Though I've looked at the website multiple times, the difference between what's required for a regular ID and what's required for that utterly baffles me.

Once while living in California, I let my ID expire and was so confused about what was needed to renew it, I put it off for literally years. I never needed it. Then, I lost my debit card and had to pay for groceries with a check at the store I'd worked at for years. The cashier was reluctant to put it through without a valid ID and went to ask a manager, which is understandable. However, she was very put out about having to do this and told me I could be arrested for not having a valid ID!

I pictured that I would go to the DMV and wait in an hours-long line only to be told I didn't have the right documents and it would be all for nothing. But in a rare turn of events, when I finally gave in and went there, it turned out to be very quick and simple. I'm hoping that will turn out to be the case here, too.

Does anyone else get confused dealing with this stuff?

Has your Cali ID actually expired? If it's still good, the airport won't care that it's out of Cali. After all, they don't know when you moved or even if you moved! You could've driven to NY & are flying back. They don't care.

There is likely a notary at the bank. There may be a cost involved. You really should have your birth cert around. If your parents have it, they can always mail it to you.

You'll need things that identify your NY address. Utility bills, bank statement, credit card statement, renter's/home owner's insurance, etc. You'll need multiple & from different sources. For example, two water bills from the same company won't work (or at least won't in IN).

PDF: HOW TO APPLY FOR A NEW YORK...

Thanks for the tips .

The California ID is still good for several years. I also have all my previous IDs and my Social Security card. I have very little experience with air travel. I was afraid they'd reject it because the California address doesn't match my current New York billing address from when I bought the tickets. I don't know if it works that I way. I just picture them telling me I can't get on the plane and I want to avoid that.

It's funny, when I used to take the Amtrak train in California, they check your ticket and that's it. Unlike airlines, there is no other screening.

I live with my mother and stepfather. Before we moved, my mother looked all over for our birth certificates, but couldn't find them. I now live in the city where I was born and my biological father also lives in this city, so hopefully that will help to get a new copy?

Another problem is that my name isn't on the utilities here. Also, my background check for this apartment weirdly wouldn't process, (the landlord let us move in anyway) even though I had a "live scan" done for a secondary job just a couple years ago and they had no problem identifying me. I just hope that wouldn't be an issue. I tend to catastrophize, as you can see .