Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need more than your current driver’s license to fly domestically.
Why? Because that’s when the REAL ID deadline goes into effect.
Though this news may sound overwhelming, we assure you that it’s much simpler than it seems. And while a REAL ID will be convenient to have, not everyone will be required to have it.
If you have questions about REAL ID, then you came to the right place.
In the article below, we will discuss how REAL ID works, why you may need to obtain it,
and where REAL IDs are issued.
Let’s get started.
What is REAL ID?
REAL ID is a federally-accepted form of identification.
Established after 9/11, REAL ID legislation emerged when investigators found that multiple terrorists obtained Florida driver’s licenses to perpetrate the terror attack.
In 2005, Congress united in pursuit of an overarching goal: to standardize the national security regulations by which driver’s licenses were issued.
Today, REAL ID requirements apply to all 50 states and give federal agencies—including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)—the right to prohibit “identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.”
Practically speaking, REAL ID involves a relatively minor change for U.S. residents.
In fact, REAL ID simply updates a traditional driver’s license with one added detail: a gold-encircled star in the upper right-hand corner.
If you don’t want a REAL ID driver’s license, you can request a standalone REAL ID card. However, federal law prohibits you from having both forms of ID.
A History of REAL ID
Though the REAL ID Act was passed in 2005, it has taken years to be implemented.
Significant challenges emerged along the way.
For starters, the minimum standards for driver’s licenses weren’t officially published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until 2008.
Then, after the regulations were announced, waves of technological setbacks, state noncompliance, and intergovernmental conflict nearly ground REAL ID to a halt.
In 2017, states including Maine, South Carolina, and Pennsylvania openly refused to adopt REAL ID protocols, prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to aggressively enforce nationwide compliance.
Along the way, nonprofits like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) publicly disavowed REAL ID as a law that would “facilitate the tracking of data on individuals and bring government into the very center of every citizen’s life.”
Despite widespread opposition, the DHS announced in 2020 that all 50 states had fully embraced REAL ID protocols.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused additional delays, leading DHS to extend the REAL ID enforcement date from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025.
This time, it seems the REAL ID deadline will not be postponed.
Why You May Need a REAL ID
Obtaining a REAL ID is not mandatory for U.S. residents.
However, a REAL ID (or other federally-approved identification) will be needed for anyone who intends to:
- Board a commercial aircraft for a domestic flight.
- Visit a federal facility.
- Enter a military base.
Starting May 7, 2025, a traditional driver’s license (or other state-issued ID) will no longer be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Therefore, if your current driver’s license is your primary form of identification, you will need a REAL ID in order to fly.
However, there’s another consideration worth knowing about.
If you have a valid U.S. passport, a REAL ID is not required to board a commercial aircraft or enter secure federal facilities.
That’s also true if you have a Permanent Resident Card (PRC), Global Entry card, military ID card, or other TSA-approved identification featured on this list.
How To Obtain a Real ID
Despite federal standardization, the REAL ID requirements and application process varies from state to state.
In most cases, however, there are three general steps you will encounter along the way.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Wondering what documents you need to apply?
In most cases, the minimum required documentation includes:
- Proof of identity via U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, green card, or foreign passport (along with an approved I-94 form).
- Proof of Social Security number (SSN) via Social Security card, a recent W-2, or a recent pay stub with your full SSN.
- Proof of residency via rental or lease agreements, deed/title, bank statements, home utility bills, and/or mortgage bills.
- Proof of signature via canceled check, credit/debit card, and current driver’s license or ID card.
While you may not need all of these documents, it’s smart to have them organized in case your local DMV requests secondary or tertiary proof.
Step 2: Visit Your Local DMV
Some states may let you apply online for a REAL ID (like California).
Nevertheless, all states ultimately require an in-person visit to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to complete the application process. You can easily find the DMV nearest to you on this site.
Be sure to make an appointment before you go. After all, waiting in line at the DMV is seldom a pleasant experience.
Step 3: Pay Requested Fees
From start to finish, the application process should take no more than 30 minutes.
After submitting both the application and required documents, you will be asked to pay for any relevant fees.
In most cases, the cost of a REAL ID is equal to a standard driver’s license: roughly $30, depending on your state.
After receiving payment, your DMV agent will then provide you with a temporary driver’s license or state identification card.
Following the official verification of your documents, you will receive your REAL ID in the mail within 15 business days. If you encounter a delay of over four weeks, be sure to contact your local DMV.
FAQ: Additional Considerations for Immigrants
Before wrapping up, we wanted to address several outstanding concerns immigrants may have.
In the section below, we provide quick answers to your most pressing questions.
1. What if I don’t have Social Security documentation?
This is a complicated issue.
According to the original legislation, all REAL ID applicants must show documentation of a Social Security Number (SSN).
However, due to recent political uproar, the REAL ID Modernization Act of 2021 gives states the ability to waive their requirement of requesting SSN documentation. While this provision operates in a gray area, there is a legal precedent of certain states providing driver’s licenses without requiring an SSN (including California, Vermont, and New York).
Other states, including Illinois, are openly providing undocumented immigrants with REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses.
Unless you encounter a local loophole, you will most likely need a SSN to obtain a REAL ID.
2. Do DMVs offer interpreter services?
If English is not your first language, don’t worry!
Many DMVs offer foreign language assistance and interpreter services—all free of charge.
For example, California offers interpreters with the ability to schedule foreign language assistance appointments online.
In Ohio, you can easily schedule exams in your native language, and in Vermont, you can utilize real-time interpreters for every part of the application (including the road test).
Some states are less lenient.
For example, while Texas allows applicants to take the driver’s license knowledge test in Spanish, it forbids interpreters from interacting during other parts of the application process.
3. Does REAL ID affect international travel?
No. REAL ID has no impact on traveling outside the United States.
While domestic travel ordinances are changing, international flights still require a valid U.S. passport. A driver’s license will not be accepted by the TSA for cross-border flights.
The same is true for REAL ID.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, “REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.”
If you have upcoming domestic travel plans, don’t wait to get REAL ID. As the May 7, 2025 REAL ID deadline approaches, application requests will likely surge and create a delay in processing times.
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