It’s official: If you are flying domestically inside the US, you may want a Real ID starting on May 7, 2025. Your outdated driver’s license will not work on or after that date. Only a Real ID or different type of acceptable identification will get you thru the Transportation Security Authority’s safety examine.
The Real ID Act, which enforces constant and safe requirements for identification utilized in air journey and coming into federal services, was handed in 2007. After a number of delays, it’s scheduled to take impact subsequent May. US residents over 18 might want to current a Real ID-enhanced driver’s license or one other federally accepted identification — like a passport — to fly domestically.
Here’s every part you might want to learn about Real ID, together with the place to use, what you may must convey and what occurs if you do not have one after the 2025 deadline. For extra on journey laws, learn how to renew your passport on-line and the steps to take in case your flight is delayed or canceled.
What is a Real ID and the way do I do know if I’ve one?
Real IDs will likely be required at airport safety beginning subsequent spring.
Essentially, Real ID is an enhanced model of your commonplace state driver’s license or identification card, meant to assist authorities crack down on terrorism and identification fraud.
Today, all 50 states and the District of Columbia are complying with Real ID requirements, the Department of Homeland Security mentioned. If you lately renewed your driver’s license, it is possible already compliant. If it has been just a few years, you may most likely need to get it up to date.
Real ID-approved licenses may have certainly one of these stars within the upper-right nook.
You can inform by your license: If there’s a gold, black or white star within the upper-right nook, you might have a Real ID. (There are some minor variations — California locations a white star over the state’s bear brand, whereas Maine places it in an overview of the state.)
How do I apply for a Real ID card in my state?
Whatever state company issued your driver’s license is accountable for distributing Real IDs. The paperwork required will fluctuate however sometimes it contains proof of identification and standing as a US resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security quantity and a number of proofs of your present handle.
Originals or exhausting copies of documentation — start certificates, Social Security card, US passport — are required, with photocopies and screenshots not accepted. Check your state’s driver’s licensing company web site for extra specifics.
After you apply, you need to obtain a short lived paper ID till your Real ID-compliant license arrives within the mail about three or 4 weeks later.
With just a few exceptions, the price of getting a Real ID-compliant license is identical as renewing your license or non-driving identification card.
What occurs if I do not get a Real ID earlier than the deadline?
Beginning in May 2025 — except the deadline is prolonged once more — federal companies just like the Transportation Security Administration will settle for solely Real ID-approved licenses and identification playing cards “for functions of accessing federal services,” in line with DHS.
That contains airport safety checkpoints.
Without one, US adults must present a sound passport, even to fly domestically, or certainly one of these different types of ID:
An instance of a driver’s license with a Real ID brand.
Not having a Real ID-compliant license will not have an effect on different makes use of of a driver’s license, together with verifying a person’s capacity to function a automobile or buy alcohol, firearms or tobacco.
For extra tips about flying, see how one can monitor flight cancellations in your iPhone and why there are higher journey card choices than the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
