Today’s the day. Starting
May 7, 2025
, every air traveler
older than 18 years old
Will require compliant identification to clear U.S. airport security checkpoints. Lacking this could disrupt or delay their domestic travel plans. This mandate comes from the 2005 REAL ID Act, which set “minimum security criteria for IDs issued by states,” as stated.
the Department of Home Security
.
While this includes REAL IDs – or state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards with a star marking at the top – there are also other acceptable forms of ID that Americans who have not yet updated their licenses can present at the airport.
This is what you should be aware of for today.
What does REAL ID stand for?
The REAL ID Act establishes nationwide safety criteria for driver’s licenses and identity cards issued by states. These REAL IDs feature a black circle with a white star in the upper-right corner.
Permissible types of IDs under the REAL ID Act
According to the
Transportation Security Administration
These are the approved formats for REAL ID:
- Government-provided Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification (EID)
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS approved traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense identification card, which includes cards provided to family members
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- A valid photograph identification provided by a federally acknowledged Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, which includes Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian province driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Work Permit Card (Form I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)
If I possess a passport, do I still require a REAL ID?
If you possess a valid U.S. passport or another form of identification approved by the TSA, you do not require a REAL ID for domestic travel.
Do children require a REAL ID for air travel?
No. The
Transportation Security Administration
Does not mandate that children provide ID for domestic flights. However, adults traveling with minors are required to show valid identification.
What occurs if you lack a REAL ID by May 7?
If you attempt to travel domestically or enter secure federal facilities without possessing a REAL ID or another accepted substitute, you will be denied access.
If you don’t possess a REAL ID, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent might request that you go through an identity confirmation procedure. This involves validating your name and present address to ensure who you say you are, as stated by the TSA. Should your identification be verified, you’ll be permitted to proceed to the security screening area, where extra checks could still apply.
How do I get a REAL ID?
For obtaining a REAL ID-compliant license, people must go to their nearby New York State Department of Motor Vehicles location personally and bring documentation that verifies both U.S. citizenship and New York residence.
The necessary paperwork entails one form of identification like a passport or an American birth certificate, evidence of lawful residence for individuals who aren’t U.S. citizens, two demonstrations of New York domicile, your Social Security card, and if you’re seeking to swap out a driving permit from another part of the U.S., bring along your present driver’s license too.
The DMV additionally provides an Enhanced ID, compliant with federal REAL ID requirements. This Enhanced ID comes with an additional cost of $30 and serves as valid identification for individuals entering the U.S. via land or sea from Canada, Mexico, and certain Caribbean nations.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:
REAL ID deadline is here: Key info for travelers, live updates
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