REAL ID for U.S. Air Travel

REAL ID needed for domestic air travel starting May 3,2023

REAL ID for U.S. Air Travel

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DHS

Starting May 3, 2023, U.S. travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID, like a valid passport or U.S. military ID, to fly within the United States (U.S.). REAL IDs will also be required to enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other federal facilities.

Real ID cards are not required for voting, registering to vote, or federal benefits.

Real ID Act of 2005

Congress passed the Real ID Act in 2005. The act was in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to tighten ID requirements. Federal agencies are barred from accepting any ID that doesn’t meet the defined minimum security requirements.

The Real ID Act set federal standards for state-issued drivers licenses and identification cards. In the U.S., driver’s licenses are issued by the states - not the federal government.

State-issued Driver’s License (DL) and ID provide

  • Drivers verification (DL only)
  • Identity verification
  • Age verification
  • Address verification

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline. The new deadline for REAL ID enforcement is May 3, 2023.

How To Get a REAL ID

Check with your state driver’s license agency. You will need to go in person to present documentation to verify who you are in order to get your REAL ID.

To apply for a REAL ID card, you must present one identity document that includes your date of birth and your real full name (first, middle, and last).

Typical Identity Document List

  • Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card
  • Original or Certified copy of U.S birth certificate (issued by a city, county, or state vital statistics office). “Abbreviated” or “Abstract” certificates are NOT accepted
  • U.S. Certificate of Birth Abroad or Consular Report of Birth Abroad of U.S. Citizen
  • Unexpired foreign passport with valid U.S. Visa and approved I-94 form
  • Certified copy of birth certificate from a U.S. Territory
  • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
  • Valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card
  • Valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Card (I-766) or valid/expired EAD Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C)
  • Valid/expired Permanent Resident Card with Notice of Action (I-797 C) or Approval Notice (I-797)
  • Unexpired foreign passport stamped “Processed for I-551”
  • Documents reflecting TPS benefit eligibility

Tip
Find your state’s driver’s license agency on https://govonestop.com

International Air Travel

Passports are required for international travel, and you can use your passport to verify your identity at the TSA checkpoint instead of a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license.

If you plan to present your state driver’s license to verify your identity at the TSA checkpoint, that card must be REAL ID compliant.

 

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