REAL ID and What You Need to Do Now to Prepare
Beginning Wednesday, May 7. 2025, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) plans to begin enforcing the REAL ID Act which Congress passed in 2005. The law requires domestic air travelers 18 and older to show proof of identity using what is called REAL ID or else face a possible delay.
The TSA recognizes several forms of acceptable REAL ID, including a state driver’s license, a state photo identity card, and a U.S. passport. REAL ID-compliant documents differ from their predecessors by having a federal stamp of approval shaped like a star in the upper right-hand corner.
The new rules have taken years to go into effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted state offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Motor Vehicle Division (DMV and MVD). The interruption made delay unavoidable because it’s the country’s DMVs and MVDs that issue the bulk of the IDs through either driver’s licenses or photo ID cards. Now that states have had time to process their backlog of paperwork, the federal government intends to begin enforcing the new travel restriction.
What Exactly is REAL ID?
The creation of REAL ID dates to the presentation the 9/11 Commission made before Congress. The commission advised the implementation of more stringent and standardized rules for state-issued identity documents, such as a driver’s license.
This doesn’t mean that states can’t issue non-REAL ID licenses. They can. However, federally overseen airports and other facilities will require REAL ID. Not having REAL ID will trigger additional steps to verify identity, which will cause delays in travel or admittance to certain high-security facilities.
Under the new rules, federal authorities will know that any state that issued a REAL ID followed mandatory steps to verify the identity of the applicant. For example, someone using a Social Security number when applying will need to show proof of the number's legitimacy. This can be as simple as presenting a legal Social Security card or tax documents.
When Do You Need to Start Using REAL ID?
The Real ID requirement goes into effect Wednesday, May 7, 2025. It applies to all adult US citizens and permanent residents 18 and older.
Congress designed the Real ID specifically to strengthen domestic air travel security. Federally-issued passports for international travel were generally considered secure already, so it may be possible to travel within the US using a current US passport for identification if you don’t have a REAL ID.
What Requirements Do You Need to Meet for REAL ID?
While all states must meet certain standards for federal approval, not all states will require the presentation of the same documents. It’s best to contact your state authorities for an official list of the paperwork you need to bring if you want to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or an identification card.
Typically, a state will demand to see proof of your legal name and your social security number. You’ll also need to verify your date of birth, citizenship or resident status, and independent evidence of your place of residence.
Where Can You Get REAL ID?
The simplest way to obtain a REAL ID is to get a current driver’s license in your state of residence. Licenses are usually available at the local offices of the state’s DMV or Motor Vehicles Division.
Be sure to make a specific request for a REAL ID driver’s license because states continue to issue non-REAL ID licenses legally. Licenses and other IDs acceptable to federal authorities will bear a distinctive star in the upper right-hand corner. In contrast, non-compliant cards will either have no star or they’ll have no star plus a warning phrase such as “Not for Federal ID.”
What Are the Currently Acceptable REAL ID Cards?
There are many forms of acceptable REAL ID the TSA will require for domestic air travel beginning Wednesday, May 7, 2005. Some are available through your state, while others require issuance from other authorities. Always check with federal or state authority websites for any additions or deletions
REAL ID from State and Tribal Authorities
State driver's license
State enhanced driver's license
State photo identity card
Tribal photo ID
Enhanced Tribal Card
REAL ID for International Travelers
US passport
US passport card
Department of Homeland Security’s trusted traveler cards, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST
Border crossing card
REAL ID for Federal Employees and Contractors
US Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
US Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card
US Merchant Mariner Credential
HSPD-12 PIV card
Transportation worker identification credential
REAL ID for Residents and Patients
Permanent resident card
Veteran Health Identification Card
REAL ID From Non-US Governments
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver's license
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card