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There are 6 months left until the real ID requirement deadline. What you need to know.
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There are 6 months left until the real ID requirement deadline. What you need to know.

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  • Starting May 7, 2025, travelers will need a Real ID-compliant document, such as a driver’s license or government-issued ID, to fly domestically.
  • Real IDs can be obtained from local motor vehicle departments and require documentation such as identification, proof of residence and legal status.
  • The deadline was postponed from 2020 to 2025 due to a backlog at Motor Vehicle Division offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You may want to make sure that all your travel documents have the following features: Real ID seal Before you start planning your next summer vacation.

All travelers wishing to fly across the country must obtain a government-issued identification card or driver’s license with a Real ID seal by May 7, 2025, as directed by the Department of Homeland Security. (Unless they have a passport.)

The “official” deadline may be six months away, but it’s not too early to hit the road to make sure you’re ready to fly free and clear.

Any government-issued identification document without a seal does not meet “minimum security standards” set by the Real ID Act of 2005, which automatically bars travelers from flying domestically and accessing a federal facility.

The requirement was originally planned to go into effect in 2020, but was delayed until May 2025 due to a “backlog” at Division of Motor Vehicle offices across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, USA TODAY reported.

mountains of documents, According to the ministry, has impacted institutions’ ability to make real progress on the rollout of Real ID. But this time it’s the deadline really real.

This means federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, cannot accept driver’s licenses and state-issued identification cards that are not Real ID-compliant.

Here’s what you need to know about Real ID, including how and where to get it.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Do I need real ID if I have a passport?

No. Passengers with a current passport or another passport TSA approved You do not need a real ID to travel domestically.

When will Real ID come into force?

To fly domestically, all passengers over the age of 18 who do not have another TSA-approved form of identification must have a Real ID-compliant identification card or driver’s license by May 7, 2025. If you already have another TSA-approved form of ID , then you probably don’t need a Real ID.

Other TSA-approved alternatives include:

  • State-issued advanced driver’s license
  • DHS trusted travel cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to your dependents
  • border crossing card
  • An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Native American Tribe
  • HSPD-12 PIV card
  • Passport issued by a foreign government
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
  • Transport worker identification information
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • US Merchant Mariner Certificate of Authorization
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Where can I get a real ID?

You can obtain a Real ID driver’s license or identification card from your local motor vehicle department. It takes about two weeksor 15 business daysto process IDs.

All Real IDs will have a stamp in the right corner indicating federal compliance. The symbol printed on your Real ID card will vary depending on the country of issue.

The department says enhanced IDs, issued in only a few states including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont, are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards.

What is required for Real ID?

You will need to visit your state’s driver’s license agency website to find out what documentation you need to provide to obtain a REAL ID. DHS.

However, you must provide at least the following documents:

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Original residence document
  • legal status

Individual states may impose additional requirements.