Posted On: April 16, 2025
Starting MAY 7, 2025, to board domestic flights and access certain federal and DOD facilities, your driver’s license or state issued ID must be a REAL ID — or you’ll need another acceptable form of identification.
WHAT IS REAL ID?
It’s the law. The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for license issuance and production, and prohibits federal agencies from accepting — for certain purposes — identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards.
WHAT DO I NEED A REAL ID FOR?
The purposes covered by the Act are boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft, accessing certain federal and DOD facilities, and entering nuclear power plants.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY DRIVER’S LICENSE IS A REAL ID?
REAL ID compliant driver’s license or state issued ID cards will have one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not a REAL ID and will not be accepted to board commercial aircraft or access certain federal and DOD facilities.
HOW DO I GET A REAL ID?
Visit tsa.gov/real-id and click on your state or territory to be directed to your local driver’s licensing agency to find out what documentation is necessary and the appropriate steps to take to obtain one. At a minimum, you must present valid documents that provide proof of:
1. Full Legal Name
2. Date of Birth
3. Address of Principal Residence (2 Documents)
4. Lawful Status
States may impose additional requirements, so check with your state’s driver’s licensing agency website, before visiting in person, for additional guidance.
LEARN ABOUT ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF ID.
For a complete list of TSA acceptable identifications*, go to tsa.gov/id.
GET REAL ID CAMPAIGN MATERIALS.
To view and download REAL ID campaign materials, visit tsa.gov/real-id.
*Applies to boarding commercial aircraft. tsa