With the much-delayed REAL ID mandate finally coming into play this Wednesday, people throughout America are swarming DMV centers nationwide in their attempt to adhere to the updated regulations.
federal standards for identification
needed for traveling domestically by air.
The REAL ID Act
, passed by Congress in 2005 following recommendations from the 9/11 Commission, has seen multiple deadline extensions over the years. However, the May 7, 2025, deadline stands firm: travelers without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license will need a passport for domestic flights.
“All of this aims at ensuring the safety of American communities and citizens,” Laura Hruby, who directs Pastoral Affairs in the State Department’s Office of Public and Congressional Affairs, stated to ABC News on Monday.
FURTHER: Information regarding REAL ID
To get a REAL ID, people visiting their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles have to show evidence of their identity (like a birth certificate or passport), Social Security papers, two documents proving their address, and paperwork showing they are lawfully present in the United States.
For individuals hurrying to obtain appropriate identification, Hruby offered encouraging information regarding passport processing durations. Should you overlook the REAL ID deadline, you still have the option to apply for a passport and utilize this document for traveling purposes.
The timing has never been more favorable to apply for a U.S. passport,” she stated. “For standard processing, our present wait period is roughly four to six weeks, and with extra payment, we provide accelerated service completed in approximately two to three weeks.
She observed that many applicants are getting their passports even faster than the projected timelines suggest.
The State Department has simplified procedures for numerous Americans via its online passport renewal service. Individuals aged above 25 with a recent passport might qualify to apply from their homes. Visitors can go to travel.state.gov to examine their application choices and confirm their eligibility.
In addition to impacting air travel, REAL ID regulations will also restrict entry into federal buildings. Drivers’ licenses that do not meet REAL ID standards will no longer be adequate for such entries; however, passports—both books and cards—will still be accepted as valid IDs.
To learn more about the REAL ID requirements, visitors may refer to
tsa.gov
, whereas questions about passports may be handled through
travel.state.gov
.
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