Travel Tips: Real ID Deadline is May 2025

After several years of postponements, the new deadline to have a Real ID for air travel and entry to federal buildings is May 7, 2025.

Sample California driver license to illustrate article on the new REAL ID requirements for boarding an airplane or entering a federal building_evelynkanter — Image: DHS

That gives you you less than a year to get identification that meets updated security requirements.

A compliant Real ID will be required by anybody 18 or older to board a plane, enter a federal building or a military base, even a nuclear power plant.

Passports, military IDs or Global Entry cards also will qualify to get through airport security.

Americans must undergo a more stringent ID check when applying for a REAL ID-compliant card, which incorporates enhanced security features that prevent counterfeiting, including scannable bar codes, digital photos, even holograms.

The deadline was pushed back several times since 2020, because the Covid-19 Pandemic caused delays in renewing driver’s licenses and other official ID such as a passport and Global Entry.

The most convenient form of a Real ID is an updated and compliant driver’s license.

If yours is not already Real ID compliant, upgrade it now, before the procrastinators book up all the appointments next spring.

According to the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS), the delays were because of the Pandemic, which shut many offices, and then the backlog to implement requirements mandated by the REAL ID Modernization Act, which includes changes to streamline processing by allowing some documents to be submitted online.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), about 119 million of the 274 million state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs are REAL ID-compliant, or about 43%.

A compliant Real ID driver’s license has a star symbol at the top of the card.

There are several versions of that star, depending on the state issuing the license.

How to Speed Through Airport Security

How to Apply for Global Entry & TSA Pre-Check

Sample Rhode Island driver license to illustrate article on what a new REAL ID looks like_evelynkanter — Image: DHS

Why You Need a Real ID

The Real ID Act was passed in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks after several of the hijackers improperly obtained state IDs.

All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories are covered by the Real ID Act, which includes Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005, sets standards for which forms of identification are accepted by the federal government, including the TSA, to board any commercial flight and enter federal facilities including office buildings and military bases.

Some states, including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont, also issue Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs), which meet the Real ID standards and are marked with an American flag.

If your driver’s license or ID card does not have this star or flag, it is not in compliance with the Real ID

In other words – I’m putting this in bold for emphasis –

You will not be able to get into a federal building building without identification that meets Real ID requirements.

You will need Real ID-compliant identification to visit an IRS office to defend yourself in an audit, or a US courthouse to defend yourself against a criminal charge.

Your accountant or attorney also will need a Real ID to help defend you.

You will need Real ID compliant identification to get into a US Passport office to apply for a passport.

If you are renewing, no problem, because you need your expiring passport to renew, and that is acceptable REAL ID identification.

Real ID implements security processes designed to reduce identity fraud and provide the highest certainty that the person with the identity document is who they say they are.

Real ID deadline is May 7, 2025 to board a plane or enter a federal facility_ecoxplorer — Logo: DHS.gov

Acceptable Forms of ID

In addition to an approved driver’s license, these other official forms of identification are acceptable to board an airplane or enter a federal facility –

U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card or Border crossing card
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized, Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

How to Get a Real ID

Visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency website to find out exactly what documentation is required to obtain a REAL ID. At a minimum, you must provide documentation showing:

Full Legal Name;
Date of Birth;
Social Security Number;
Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence; and 5) Lawful Status.

Here’s how you can tell if you already have a Real ID.

How to avoid the most common mistakes people make when applying for a Real ID.There is no extra charge for a Real ID, but standard DMV processing fees apply.

The cost of obtaining a Real ID is typically the same as the standard processing fees for driver’s licenses, though some states may charge an additional fee for enhanced IDs.

For example, an Enhanced Driver’s License, which also meets Real ID standards, may cost an additional $30.

Again –

If you don’t have a US Passport, military ID or Global Entry cars, apply for their Real ID well in advance of the May 2025 deadline to avoid any last-minute complications that could disrupt your travel plans.

Find more answers to questions about how to get a Real ID on the DHS FAQ website page.

States may impose additional requirements, so check with your state’s driver’s licensing agency website, before visiting them in person, for additional guidance and assistance.

Check the official DHS Real ID website page to make a plan with your state DMV to update your license in time for the May 2025 deadline – don’t plan on yet another postponement.

Images courtesy DHS

This article was published originally in April 2021 and has been revised and updated as compliance dates have changed.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 25+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.