Imagine this: it’s a sunny morning in May 2025. You’ve packed your bags, double-checked your boarding pass, and called your ride to the airport. You’re ready for vacation. But when you get to security, the TSA officer looks at your ID and says:
“Sorry, this isn’t a Real ID. You can’t fly with this.”
You feel your stomach drop. “What’s a Real ID?” you ask.
Let’s rewind.
What Is a Real ID, Anyway?
After the tragic events of 9/11, the U.S. government wanted to make IDs more secure. So, in 2005, Congress passed the Real ID Act—a law that sets national security standards for issuing driver’s licenses and ID cards.
A Real ID is a state-issued driver’s license or ID card that meets these standards. It has a special star or stamp in the top right corner to show it’s approved.
Without this, you won’t be allowed to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings after *May 7, 2025*.
The Deadline Is Real: May 7, 2025
Starting May 7, 2025, every air traveler in the U.S. who is 18 or older will need one of the following to fly domestically:
- A Real ID-compliant driver’s license or ID, OR
- A valid TSA-approved alternative (like a passport)
If you show up without either, you might be denied boarding.
What Counts as a Real ID Alternative?
If you don’t have a Real ID yet, you can still fly with one of these documents:
- U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, SENTRI, etc.)
- U.S. Military ID
- Border Crossing Card
- Tribal Nation-issued photo ID
- Foreign passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license
- USCIS Employment Authorization Card
- Veteran Health ID
…and a few others.
How Do You Get a Real ID?
Go to your local DMV or MVD office. You’ll need to bring:
- Proof of your full legal name (e.g., birth certificate, passport)
- Date of birth
- Social Security number (SSN card, W-2, etc.)
- Two documents showing your current home address
- Proof of legal presence in the U.S.
Each state may have extra rules, so it’s smart to check your state DMV’s website before you go.
Once you apply, it usually takes about 15 business days to get your new Real ID.
How to Spot a Real ID
Look at the top right corner of your current ID:
A gold star or specific stamp = You’re good to go!
Wording like “Not for Real ID purposes” = Not acceptable
No star, no wording = Probably outdated
The Real ID deadline of May 7, 2025, is just one month away. Check your license/ID now. If it doesn’t have the Real ID symbol (like a star), you need to either get a compliant one from your DMV/MVD ASAP (bringing the correct documents!) or be prepared to use an acceptable alternative like a valid U.S. passport for domestic flights and access to certain federal buildings. Don’t delay!
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