If you’re planning to fly around the country in 2025 and beyond, we’d love to hear from you.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, you have approximately 365 days to make your state-issued driver’s license or identification card compliant with “Real ID.”
Real ID compliance is part of a larger law passed by Congress in 2005 to set “minimum security standards” for the distribution of identification documents, including driver’s licenses. This means that certain federal agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration and DHS, cannot accept state-issued identification cards without the Real ID seal.
Compliance will take time to settle in, with DHS initially setting a deadline for 2020, then pushing it back a year, then another two years, then another two years, according to a previous USA TODAY report. . This is said to be due to “backlog of transactions” at his MVD offices across the country. I will report it.
If your identification is not Real ID compliant by May 7, 2025, you will not be able to board a federally regulated commercial aircraft, enter a nuclear power plant, or access certain facilities. lose.
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Here’s what we know about Real IDs, including where you can get one and why you should consider getting one.
Need to get a Real ID?
necessarily.
If you have another form of identification that TSA accepts, there’s probably no immediate reason to get one, at least not for travel purposes. However, if you do not have another form of identification and wish to travel within the country in the near future, you should try to obtain one.
All other TSA-approved forms of identification are:
◾ State-issued enhanced driver’s license
◾ US passport
◾ US passport card
◾ DHS Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
◾ U.S. Department of Defense ID (including IDs issued to dependents)
◾ Permanent resident card
◾ Border crossing card
◾ Acceptable photo identification issued by a federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe
◾ HSPD-12 PIV Card
◾ Passport issued by a foreign government
◾ Canadian Provincial Driving License or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card
◾ Transportation worker identification card
◾ U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
◾ U.S. Merchant Mariner Certification
◾ Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
However, federal agencies “may only” accept Real ID-compliant state-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards when attempting to access federal facilities. This includes TSA security checkpoints.
Enhanced driver’s licenses issued only in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards, according to DHS.
What can I use my Real ID for?
For most people, it’s just boarding a plane.
According to DHS, Real ID cards can only be used for “access to nuclear power plants, certain facilities, or boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.”
DHS says the card cannot be used for cross-border travel, even to Canada, Mexico or other international destinations.
How do I get a Real ID? What does a Real ID look like?
To get a Real ID, all you have to do is make time to visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles.
Each state is different, so the documents required to verify your identity will also vary. According to DHS, he will be asked to provide at least his legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, primary residence address and two documents proving his legal status.
The only difference between the state-issued ID you currently have and the Real ID-compliant card you are seeking is a unique mark stamped in the right corner. The markings on Real ID-enabled cards vary by state.
