Explained: REAL ID Roll-out, TSA-acceptable Forms of ID

‍DALLAS — This is a friendly reminder for all U.S. domestic travelers that the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) REAL ID enforcement will be implemented at TSA checkpoints nationwide in two days.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the TSA will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant at security checkpoints. Acceptable alternative forms of ID are listed on the TSA website and below for all airline passengers 18 years and older who do not have a compliant REAL ID at the time of travel. 

Anyone requiring access to airline gates within airports, such as guardians or parents dropping off unaccompanied minors at airline gates per airline-specific policies, must also present REAL ID-compliant identification or another acceptable alternative ID at TSA security checkpoints, including TSA PreCheck passengers.

What Happens If I Don’t Have a REAL-ID?

Passengers who do not yet have their REAL ID or another TSA-acceptable form of ID can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed into the security checkpoint. Again, this includes TSA PreCheck passengers. 

While the TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the U.S., proof of identification for underage air travelers is subject to airline-specific policies.

We recommend that all travelers check up-to-date wait times for TSA security checkpoints at their departure airport terminal before leaving for the airport. The TSA says that additional airport staff will be available to assist customers at terminals, but that "travelers should allow for extra travel time, especially during the first few days."

REAL ID-compliant cards will have a star marking on the upper portion of the card. If the card has no star marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won’t be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft.

The head of Homeland Security stated on Tuesday May 6 that travelers who do not have REAL ID by the deadline this week will still be permitted to travel, but they should expect to be subject to further scrutiny.

81% of visitors already own identification that satisfies the REAL ID requirements, Kristi Noem told a congressional hearing.  When the deadline arrives on Wednesday, she said, security checkpoints will also take tribal identification and passports.

According to Noem, individuals who continue to lack identification that conforms with the REAL ID law "may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step." "However, people will be permitted to fly," she stated.  "We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible."

TSA-acceptable Forms of ID

The following documents are accepted in lieu of a REAL ID (Group 1) for U.S. domestic flights. TSA lists these explicitly as acceptable IDs at the security checkpoint

• U.S. passport – (Group 2)  A valid U.S. passport is an accepted form of identification for boarding domestic flights.
• U.S. passport card – (Group 2)  The passport card is a wallet-sized equivalent to the passport for land/sea travel and is accepted by TSA for domestic flights.
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) – (Group 2)  The USCIS-issued permanent resident card is explicitly listed as an acceptable TSA ID.
• DHS Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) – (Group 2)  These Trusted Traveler Program IDs are accepted by TSA.
• U.S. Department of Defense ID (including dependent IDs) – (Group 2)  Active duty and retired military IDs (and dependent military IDs) are accepted by TSA‍.
• Border Crossing Card – (Group 2)  U.S. border crossing cards (commonly issued to Mexican nationals) are on TSA’s accepted list.
• Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC) – (Group 2)  U.S. Enhanced Tribal Cards are accepted. These are special tribal IDs used for border crossing.
• Other federally-recognized tribal-issued photo ID – (Group 2)  Any photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation is accepted, including ETCs.
• HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card – (Group 2)  Federal employee/government PIV cards under Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 are accepted by TSA.
• Foreign government-issued passport – (Group 2)  Valid passports issued by foreign governments are accepted for domestic flight ID. (TSA refers to “any government-issued passport” as an acceptable alternate.)
• Canadian provincial driver’s license – (Group 2)  A driver’s license issued by a Canadian province is listed as an accepted ID.
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card – (Group 2)  The Canadian INAC identification card is also accepted.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) – (Group 2)  The U.S. Coast Guard–issued TWIC, used by maritime workers, is on TSA’s lis.
• USCIS Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766) – (Group 2)  The Employment Authorization Card (EAD) is explicitly accepted.
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential – (Group 2)  Merchant mariner ID credentials are listed as acceptable TSA ID.
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) – (Group 2)  The VA-issued VHIC is on the list of acceptable documents.

Each of the above documents may be used “in lieu of” a REAL ID–compliant state ID when screening for domestic air travel.

Not accepted after May 7, 2025

• State-issued driver’s license or ID card that is not REAL ID-compliant – (Group 3)  Any state-issued license/ID without the REAL ID star (i.e. issued under Pre-REAL-ID or non-compliant processes) will not be accepted for boarding U.S. flights after the May 7, 2025 deadline.  (Passengers must instead present one of the “acceptable alternative” IDs listed above or obtain a REAL ID–compliant credential.)

Passengers should check for any changes or updates to compliant forms of ID by visiting the TSA website. 

DHS-Approved ID Alternatives 

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), those who do not have a Social Security card available may present any of the following documents bearing the applicant's SSN to get their REAL ID:

• A W-2 form,
• An SSA-1099 form,
• A non-SSA-1099 form, or
• A pay stub with the applicant's name and SSN on it.

State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses and identification cards (EDL/EID) are designated by DHS as acceptable border-crossing documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and are an acceptable alternative to a REAL ID for boarding a commercial aircraft, accessing federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants. 

Currently, only five states issue EDL/EIDs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. EDL/EIDs can be identified by having an image of the U.S. flag and the word "Enhanced" at the top of the card.

If you are traveling internationally, you will still need your passport—REAL ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.

If you travel domestically, you will only need one valid form of identification – either your REAL ID or another acceptable alternative, such as a passport, not both.

Freely Associated States citizens who entered the United States lawfully years ago may have expired passports. To be issued a REAL ID-compliant document, they will need to renew their passport or present another acceptable identity document, such as an unexpired EAD.

Why the REAL ID Is Being Implemented

The Real ID Act is being implemented to enhance security for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. It aims to prevent fraudulent IDs and improve the accuracy of identification documents used for accessing federally regulated commercial aircraft, certain federal facilities, and nuclear power plants. 

The act was a direct response to the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

The DHS says REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card. It does not create a federal database of driver's license information. 

Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintain its own records, and control who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. According to DHS, REAL ID aims “to make our identity documents more consistent and secure.”

Where Can I Get My REAL ID?

All states, the District of Columbia, and the five territories are REAL ID-compliant and issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and IDs. For information on obtaining state-issued REAL ID-compliant identification, visit your local DMV or state websites.

According to DHS, states may use remote procedures to re-issue a duplicate card – a card that bears the same information and expiration date as the original card – "as long as there has been no material change to the card-holder's PII since prior issuance and the document bears the same expiration date as the original document."

The appropriate validity period of the driver’s license or identification card will be consistent with the state’s regular expiration period for full-term REAL ID-compliant documents. It will carry the same compliant markings without any additional language.

REAL ID will also be required for accessing federal facilities, unless they are publicly accesible like the Smithsonian, and entering nuclear power plants, in addition to boarding commercial aircraft.

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