REAL ID REQUIREMENT

WASHINGTON (AGN News) – A Real ID will be needed to board an airplane in the nation’s airports on May 7, 2025.

Congress passed the Real ID law after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, to create a single, robust national standard for all states and territories.

Without a Real ID, airline passengers will be required to present a passport, military ID or Global Entry card to pass through security, even for domestic flights.

The Airports Council International-North America, which represents the nation’s airports, warned that thousands of passengers could be denied boarding and left stranded.

Across the country, motor vehicle offices have been flooded with people trying to upgrade to Real IDs. Everyone is required to present four pieces of identification, including a passport or a birth certificate, a Social Security card or a tax return and two documents that provide proof of residence — a mortgage or a rental receipt and a utility bill.

To handle the rush, state motor vehicle offices have staffed up and are allowing people to make appointments to present their documents for review.

But many states say they’re overwhelmed and can’t keep up.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW!

The REAL ID Act is a federal law that establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. It was enacted in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to enhance the security of identification documents.

Starting May 7, 2025, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.

To obtain a REAL ID, you must provide specific documentation, which can vary by state. You can check your state’s requirements and use tools like the DMV’s interactive checklist to gather necessary documents.

Remember May 7, 2025, is the day!

The time has come. Travelers flying within the US starting Wednesday must use a state-issued ID that is “REAL ID compliant” or be subject to further screening.

Things seemed to be operating relatively smoothly at a sampling of US airports Wednesday morning. Signs about the REAL ID requirements are posted, and TSA representatives at some airports were ushering people without REAL IDs to separate lines for enhanced screening.

Lines outside some states’ departments of motor vehicles may be a different story, however, as people who haven’t received a compliant ID try to catch up. In downtown Chicago, a line Wednesday morning to get into a walk-in “supercenter” dedicated to issuing REAL IDs wrapped around a city block – though it had shortened significantly by the afternoon.

REAL IDs, aside from being used to board domestic flights, also will be required to enter secure federal facilities. REAL IDs are marked with a star in the upper right-hand corner, no matter what state you live in. The 9/11 Commission recommended the new standard for enhanced security.

If you do not have yours the U.S. government will allow you to fly at U.S. airports for now, with a bit of extra screening. Learn more by going to the USAGov sites below.

Need One? Do This to Get Yours

For more detailed information, you can visit the official USAGov website or the Department of Homeland Security.

USAGov

Make sure to plan ahead and make sure you have the proper identification for travel and access to federal facilities.

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