REAL ID Explained: What Travelers Need to Know

As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers aged 18 or older need to be REAL ID-compliant to board domestic flights. This has been a long time coming, folks. The REAL ID Act was enacted in response to the September 11 attacks back in 2001. It was initially supposed to go into effect in 2008, but it has been repeatedly delayed.

After countless extensions, all states and territories were certified as compliant as of 2024, and you’ll need to be REAL ID compliant if you plan to fly domestically in the future. Here’s everything you need to know about getting a REAL ID.

Who Needs a REAL ID?

Every state and territory resident who intends to travel domestically and is over 18 years old must have a valid REAL ID. Nothing has changed regarding international travel; this is strictly for traveling within the United States. 

Children under 18 are not required to have a REAL ID. 

How to Get a REAL ID

Each state has its own requirements for getting a REAL ID. Visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency website to determine exactly what you will need. At minimum, you’ll need documents providing your full legal name, date of birth, social security number, two proofs of address of principal residence, and lawful status. 

The official DHS website is a good place to start. From here, you can click on your state to be taken to the official Office of Motor Vehicles website, where you can make an appointment.

You will not walk out of the DMV with a REAL ID card; you’ll get a temporary paper card. It can take up to 3 weeks to receive your REAL ID card in the mail. The temporary ID is not compliant, TSA will not accept it, and you will still need to go through extra security screening.

Tip: If you're an AAA member located in the Northeast (Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island) or Montana, you may be able to avoid going to a DMV and instead make an appointment with your AAA branch to get a REAL ID. Check your local branch for more info.

How Do I Know if My License or Identification Card Is REAL ID Compliant?

REAL ID-compliant cards will have a star in the upper corner. Depending on the state, this star can be black or gold, or, in California’s case, the star is around an image of a bear. 

Can I Still Fly Without a REAL ID?

Passengers who do not present a REAL ID should arrive at the airport early for additional screening. I want to give you an exact answer on how long the additional screening will take, but no one will know until after May 7, 2025. Two hundred people could show up at the airport without a REAL ID, in which case, you’ll be waiting longer. I wouldn’t be surprised if some airports open an entirely new line just for this scenario. Regardless, all travelers should expect delays on May 7 and probably the entire first week after this takes effect.

Other forms of identification that will be accepted in lieu of a REAL ID:

• A valid U.S. passport or passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• Permanent Resident Card
• Border Crossing Card
• HSPD-12 PIV Card

Some state-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) are acceptable REAL ID alternatives. Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are the only states where EDLs are acceptable. Look for the U.S. flag with the word “enhanced” at the top of the card.

These are just a few of the approved documents. Visit the official TSA website to review the complete list of acceptable identification.

To make a long story short, if you have a valid passport but not a REAL ID, you’re cleared for takeoff. I know a lot of people get nervous about carrying their passports with them when they are staying in the United States, but it’s a simple solution if you have a flight coming up.

DMVs across the nation are backed up with appointments as everyone rushes to meet the deadline, and quite frankly, you might not get an appointment in time. Or worse, your REAL ID card may not arrive in the mail before your flight. 

Visit the official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for more information.