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Updated 5/6/25
Travelers, take note: TSA REAL ID enforcement begins May 7, 2025, after years of delays. If you've recently gotten or renewed your drivers license, that shouldn't be an issue, because all 50 U.S. states are now REAL ID compliant.
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REAL ID-compliant licenses have a star on them that looks like one of the following:
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But if for some reason you have an older drivers license, make sure you either get it updated to a REAL ID compliant version or take your U.S. passport or other acceptable ID with you when traveling domestically on or after May 7, 2025.
Acceptable Alternatives to a REAL ID-compliant drivers license:
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- 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
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
- 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)
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FAQ
What is a Real ID?
A Real ID is one that can only be obtained with documentation that includes a person's full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address of principal residence, and lawful status. Required documents can include a passport or birth certificate, utility bills, credit card statements or rental agreements.
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What If I Don't Have a Real ID or a Passport? Can I Still Fly?
While the TSA will start enforcing the Real ID law as of May 7, 2025, Head of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that passengers without one would be able to fly with additional identity checks. Given this, be sure to get to the airport early and allow plenty of extra time for these extra checks if you lack a passport and Real ID but are flying domestically.
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Do Children Require a Real ID to Travel Domestically in the U.S.?
No; minors under 18 years of age do not require any identification to travel domestically within the U.S. As before, they may need to answer questions about their age and their companion at the TSA checkpoint.
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