Lois Larson
As of May 7, 2025, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted as a valid form of identification at US airports. This means that travelers flying within the US will be required to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification or another accepted form of identification, such as a passport. This new rule was implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and has been in the works since the 9/11 Commission recommended that the federal government establish standards for driver's licenses and identification cards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of enforcement | May 7, 2025 |
| Forms of ID accepted | REAL ID-compliant driver's license, passport, permanent resident card, veteran health identification card, ID issued by federally recognized tribe |
| Age requirements | Adults 18 and older must show valid identification |
| TSA acceptance of expired IDs | Up to two years after expiration |
| TSA requirements for children under 18 | No ID required when traveling within the US |
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What You'll Learn
REAL ID requirements for US airports
As of May 7, 2025, all travelers aged 18 and above must present a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or ID card to fly within the United States. This requirement, implemented by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), means that non-REAL ID-compliant state-issued IDs will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports.
REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a star in the upper portion of the card. Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) and Enhanced Identification Cards (EIDs) are also accepted as proof of identity and can be identified by the image of the U.S. flag and the word "Enhanced" at the top of the card. EDLs issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards.
If you are unsure whether your ID complies with REAL ID standards, it is recommended to check with your state department of motor vehicles. To obtain a REAL ID, applicants must provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two proofs of address of principal residence, and lawful status.
For those without a REAL ID or another TSA-acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, additional screening and identity verification processes may be required. These individuals may experience delays and may even be denied entry to the security checkpoint.
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State-issued IDs that are REAL ID-compliant
Starting on May 7, 2025, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports. This means that if you plan to use your state-issued ID or license to fly within the U.S., it must be REAL ID-compliant. Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will only accept state-issued IDs and licenses as identification at TSA airport security checkpoints if they are REAL ID-compliant. This is in accordance with the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which established minimum security standards for state-issued IDs and prohibited certain federal agencies from accepting IDs from states that do not meet these standards.
To be REAL ID-compliant, a state-issued ID or driver's license must include a star marking in the upper right corner. If your ID does not have this marking, it will not be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft. However, there are alternative forms of identification that can be used instead of a REAL ID-compliant ID, such as a passport, permanent resident card, veteran health identification card, or an ID issued by a federally recognized tribe.
It is important to note that the list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. Therefore, it is recommended to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling to ensure you have acceptable ID. Additionally, TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration.
If you are unsure if your ID complies with REAL ID requirements, you can check with your state's department of motor vehicles (DMV). The process for obtaining a REAL ID-compliant ID may vary by state, but generally, applicants must provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, and two proofs of address of their principal residence.
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Acceptable alternative documents to REAL ID
Starting on May 7, 2025, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will not be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports. Passengers will need to carry an acceptable alternative form of ID or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
- A passport or passport card
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification cards (EID): These are designated as acceptable border-crossing documents by DHS under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and can be used as an alternative to a REAL ID for boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. EDL/EIDs can be identified by the image of the U.S. flag and the word "Enhanced" at the top of the card. Currently, only five states issue EDL/EIDs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- Permanent resident card
- Veteran health identification card
- An ID issued by any federally recognized tribe
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TSA's acceptable forms of ID
As of May 7, 2025, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at US airports. Passengers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant license or another TSA-acceptable form of ID may face delays, additional screening, or may not be allowed into the security checkpoint.
The TSA advises passengers to arrive at the airport with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices. The TSA also accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date.
- REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver's license or ID
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- Permanent resident card
- Veteran health identification card
- ID issued by a federally recognized tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- Merchant Mariner Credential
Children under 18 are not required to provide identification when traveling within the United States, although the airline may have different requirements. It is recommended to contact the airline directly to confirm their specific ID requirements for travelers under 18.
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Extensions to the REAL ID compliance deadline
The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its intent to extend the REAL ID full enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. This extension was deemed necessary to address the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered the progress of REAL ID over the past two years. State driver's licensing agencies had to work through the backlogs created by the pandemic, which included automatically extending the expiration dates of driver's licenses and identification cards and shifting operations to appointment-only.
The REAL ID Act has seen nationwide state government compliance ahead of the deadline, with all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four out of five U.S. territories issuing REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and identification cards. This compliance is significant, given that several states originally objected to the REAL ID requirements. However, it is worth noting that New Jersey has the lowest reported compliance, with only 17% of the population having a REAL ID, and the state has requested an extension to the enforcement date.
As of May 7, 2025, a state-issued driver's license or ID that is not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as a valid form of identification at airports for domestic flights. Passengers traveling after this enforcement deadline must present a REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport, permanent resident card, veteran health identification card, or an ID issued by a federally recognized tribe. Passengers without a REAL ID or an alternative form of TSA-approved identification can expect delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed to pass through the security checkpoint.
To obtain a REAL ID, applicants must provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two proofs of address of principal residence, and lawful status. It is recommended to check with the state department of motor vehicles for specific requirements and to allow for ample time to obtain a REAL ID before the enforcement deadline.
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Frequently asked questions
The new ID requirements take effect on May 7, 2025.
The REAL ID is a set of security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards that includes anti-counterfeiting technology and measures to prevent insider fraud.
To obtain a REAL ID, applicants must provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two proofs of address of principal residence, and lawful status.
If you do not have a REAL ID, you will need another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, permanent resident card, veteran health identification card, or an ID issued by a federally recognized tribe.
Yes, the TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Additionally, the TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration.
