Suppose you are going to travel to the United States, figure out what kind of documents you need to take is a primary thing. We know that the Real ID Act in the United States will totally take effect on May 7, 2025. It may change the way you travel to the US before. According to the act, every air traveler needs a Real ID or other acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel. So what kind of personal identification needs to be provided? Do you need a real ID if you have a passport? Check the thorough guide here to learn more about the regulations for traveling in the US.
What is the Real ID
Real ID refers to those compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards. The Real ID Act of 2005 is a law passed by Congress that specifies the criteria that driver licenses and IDs issued by U.S. states and territories must meet to be accepted for entry into federal buildings and nuclear power plants and for boarding domestic flights in the country.
The specifications include electronic database sharing between states and verifying the personal information provided when applying for the identification document.
Do I Need a Real ID If I Have a Passport
No. The official passport is still required if you are traveling abroad. On the other hand, you only need one legitimate kind of identification if you’re traveling domestically in the United States; you can bring either your REAL ID or another accepted form of identification, such as a passport, but not both.
Can I Fly Without a Real ID
You can fly without a Real ID right now (in 2023). However, when the Real ID Act takes effect on May 7, 2025, Real ID is compulsory to fly domestically. At airport security checkpoints around the nation, a state driver’s license or ID without a REAL ID seal will no longer be recognized. You won’t be allowed to pass through the TSA security checkpoint and won’t be able to board a plane if you don’t have a driver’s license that complies with REAL ID, an EDL, or another recognized form of identification.
If you fly abroad, a US passport is still required, and your Real ID cannot replace your passport when traveling internationally.
Is a Passport My Only Option?
No, the TSA accepts a variety of other types of identification, including:
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
REAL ID Status of Every US State and Territory
A phased enforcement plan for the Real ID Act was unveiled by the Department of Homeland Security on December 20, 2013. The Real ID Act may have distinct procedures and statuses for various US states and territories. The list of each state’s or territory’s current conditions is provided below.
Compliant States/Territories (Those regions that are compliant with the Real ID Act). This kind of state/territory includes:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- DC
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Ohio
- S. Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Extension States/Territories (those regions that have an extension to perform the Real ID Act till October 10, 2017). States in this status are:
- Alaska
- Am.Samoa
- California
- Guam
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Montana
- N. Marianas
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- N. Carolina
- N. Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- S. Carolina
- Texas
- Virgin Islands
- Virginia
- Washington
Grace Period States/Territories (those regions have been given a grace period before the start of REAL ID enforcement, allowing Federal organizations to continue to accept driver’s licenses from these states/territories through July 10, 2017). Oregon is the only state in the grace period status right now.
Noncompliant States/Territories (Federal agencies and nuclear power plants cannot accept driver licenses and IDs but continuously accept Enhanced Driver’s Licenses from these regions). These states are:
- Minnesota+
- Missouri
How Can I Obtain a REAL ID?
To apply for a compliant Real ID, you can check the website of the state’s licensing authority for drivers. You must submit proof that demonstrates the following, at the very least:
- Your legal name
- Your birth date certification
- Your social security number
- Two official documents proving your primary residence’s address
- Your lawful status
You can visit the DHS REAL ID website and select your state from the map to find out more about each state’s requirements and where to get a REAL ID.
How to Know If I Have a Compliant Real ID License
A compliant Real ID license will have a star denote at the top of the card. The positioning and appearance of the star vary slightly according to the issuing state because each distributes its cards.
There is also a different option that certain states are now providing that adheres to REAL ID requirements called enhanced driver’s licenses, often known as EDLs. Instead of a star on the license, EDLs have a flag.
Consult your state’s motor vehicle department if you’re not sure if your license complies with REAL ID requirements.
The Bottom Line
This guide explains nearly all the things you should know about the Real ID in the United States. Indeed, the Real ID Act’s implementation has surely significantly impacted the process of getting and renewing driver’s licenses and identification cards in the United States. At first, there were worries about the inconveniences and difficulties it would bring about, but it has ultimate benefits as well.
Obtaining a REAL ID not only satisfies legal requirements but also serves as an important form of identification that improves safety and facilitates domestic air travel. So don’t wait until the last minute; start the REAL ID application process right away and take advantage of the security that comes with owning a widely used, federally certified identification card.
Dolores Xiao