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As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID, passport, or other acceptable form of identification will be required to board domestic commercial flights in the US. This is because, from that date, state-issued driver's licenses or ID cards that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of ID at airports. REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star in the upper portion, while Enhanced Driver's Licenses and Enhanced Identification Cards are marked with an image of the US flag and the word Enhanced. Children under 18 travelling within the US are not required to provide identification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When will REAL ID be required at airports? | From May 7, 2025 |
| Who does this apply to? | Adults travelling within the US |
| Are there exceptions? | Children under 18 do not need to provide identification when travelling within the US |
| What if I don't have a REAL ID? | You can use another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, or a REAL ID-compliant driver's license |
| What does a REAL ID-compliant driver's license look like? | It will have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card |
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What You'll Learn
- From May 7, 2025, a non-REAL ID-compliant, state-issued driver's license will not be accepted at airports
- REAL IDs are not mandatory, and a valid passport can be used as an alternative
- Enhanced Driver's Licenses are accepted as an alternative to REAL ID-compliant cards
- REAL ID cards cannot be used for international travel or sea cruise travel
- Children under 18 don't need to provide identification when travelling within the US
From May 7, 2025, a non-REAL ID-compliant, state-issued driver's license will not be accepted at airports
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, and it requires that all state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards meet certain security standards. These standards include the presence of a REAL ID-compliant star marking on the card. If your card does not have this marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as a valid form of identification at airport security checkpoints.
It is important to note that you do not need a REAL ID if you are not planning to fly or enter a secure federal facility. For example, you do not need a REAL ID to open a bank account, apply for or receive federal benefits, or enter a federal facility that does not require ID, such as a post office. However, if you plan to fly within the US or enter a secure federal facility, it is important to ensure that you have a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification before May 7, 2025.
If you are not sure if your current driver's license is REAL ID-compliant, you can check with your state department of motor vehicles. You may also be able to apply for a REAL ID identification card if you do not drive but plan to fly within the US. This can be obtained or renewed with the same documentation required for a driver's license. Additionally, children under 18 are not required to provide identification when traveling within the United States.
In conclusion, the upcoming change means that a non-REAL ID-compliant, state-issued driver's license will not be accepted at airports for domestic or international flights from May 7, 2025. To avoid delays and additional screening at the airport, passengers should ensure they have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, before this date.
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REAL IDs are not mandatory, and a valid passport can be used as an alternative
As of May 7, 2025, all state and territory residents in the US will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or ID to board a domestic flight. This is because the REAL ID Act sets higher security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. However, it is important to note that REAL IDs are not mandatory, and a valid passport can be used as an alternative. This means that individuals who do not possess a REAL ID are not restricted from travelling; they can still fly by presenting an alternative form of identification, such as a passport.
Until the REAL ID enforcement begins on May 7, 2025, the TSA at airport security checkpoints will continue to accept all state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards issued by compliant states. After this date, passengers without a REAL ID will be expected to present an alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or they will face delays and additional screening. It is worth noting that children under 18 are not required to provide identification when travelling within the United States.
The REAL ID Act does not require individuals to present identification where it is not currently mandatory, such as to enter public areas of federal facilities. Similarly, the Act does not prohibit agencies from accepting other forms of identity documents, including passports. This means that even after the enforcement deadline, individuals without a REAL ID will still be able to access certain places and board domestic flights by presenting an alternative, acceptable form of identification.
It is important to note that REAL ID cards are not valid for border crossings into Canada or Mexico, international travel, or international sea cruise travel. In these cases, a passport is required. Additionally, certain states, such as Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington, issue Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) or Enhanced Identification cards (EIDs), which are also accepted as alternatives to REAL IDs for boarding commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. These EDLs/EIDs can be identified by the image of the US flag and the word "Enhanced" at the top of the card.
In summary, while obtaining a REAL ID is advisable for domestic travel within the US, it is not mandatory. Individuals have the option to use alternative forms of identification, such as a valid passport, to board domestic flights and access certain facilities. This flexibility ensures that travellers who may not possess a REAL ID can still travel and conduct their business as needed.
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Enhanced Driver's Licenses are accepted as an alternative to REAL ID-compliant cards
Starting May 7, 2025, all state and territory residents in the US will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or state-issued identification card to access federal facilities, enter nuclear power plants, and board commercial aircraft. However, Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) are accepted as an alternative to REAL ID-compliant cards.
EDLs are state-issued driver's licenses that provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship when crossing the U.S. border by land or sea. They are currently issued by only five states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. These licenses are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). EDLs can be used instead of a passport for land or sea travel to and from Canada, Mexico, and some countries in the Caribbean. However, they are not acceptable for air travel between these countries.
EDLs are also accepted for boarding commercial aircraft within the U.S. and for accessing federal facilities. They are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. This means that individuals with an EDL from one of the five issuing states can use it as a valid form of identification at TSA airport security checkpoints, even if their license does not have the REAL ID-compliant star marking.
It is important to note that the REAL ID Act does not require individuals to present identification where it is not currently required to access a federal facility, such as public areas of museums. Additionally, the Act does not prohibit agencies from accepting other forms of identity documents, such as a U.S. passport or passport card. For international travel, individuals will still need to present their passports, and a REAL ID cannot be used for international sea cruise travel.
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REAL ID cards cannot be used for international travel or sea cruise travel
REAL ID cards are issued by jurisdictions to standardise identification cards and driver's licenses. They are compliant with the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in 2005 to enact the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government set standards for identification documents.
While REAL IDs are a useful form of identification for US citizens, they cannot be used for international travel. This includes border crossings into Canada or Mexico, or any other international land or air travel. REAL IDs are also not accepted for international sea cruise travel. For these purposes, a passport is required.
Until May 7, 2025, REAL IDs are not mandatory for domestic air travel. Until this date, TSA airport security checkpoints will continue to accept all state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, provided they are issued by compliant states or non-compliant states with a valid extension. However, some forms of identification are already not accepted for air travel, including non-compliant cards issued by non-compliant states without a valid extension.
After May 7, 2025, all state and territory residents will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel. This is because the REAL ID Act prohibits Federal agencies, including the TSA, from accepting non-compliant cards for official purposes.
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Children under 18 don't need to provide identification when travelling within the US
As per the TSA, children under 18 travelling within the US do not need to provide identification. However, the TSA suggests that children should have some form of identification on them when travelling. This could be their original birth certificate or a passport, or a photo of their passport on a mobile phone. This is because, in some cases, official documents may be needed for minors to board a flight.
The type of identification required for minors may vary by carrier. For instance, infants under two weeks old may be required to provide a note from a physician stating that they are healthy enough to fly. Minors over two years of age will be required to pay the full airfare and will no longer be allowed to sit on an adult's lap.
From 7 May 2025, passengers travelling within the US will need to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. This could be a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a state-issued ID, or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport. REAL ID-compliant cards will have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. Enhanced Driver's Licenses and Enhanced Identification Cards (EDL/EID) are also acceptable forms of identification and can be used to board commercial aircraft. These will have an image of the US flag and the word 'Enhanced' at the top of the card.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will be required to fly within the US.
Some acceptable forms of identification besides a REAL ID include a valid US passport, passport card, military ID, or other federally approved identification.
No, you do not need a REAL ID if you are not flying domestically or entering a secure federal facility.
A REAL ID-compliant card will have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card.
