The deadline for getting a Real ID has been postponed several times in the past few years, with the first slated deadline for 2020. After multiple extensions, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline has finally been set for May 7, 2025. That means you have just over one year to schedule an appointment to get a Real ID-compliant license or identification card.
The Real ID Act, which enforces consistent and secure standards for identification used in air travel and entering federal facilities, was passed in 2007. Once it’s in place, US residents over 18 will need to present a Real ID-enhanced driver’s license or another federally approved identification — like a passport — to fly domestically.
Here’s everything you need to know about Real ID, including where to apply, what you’ll need to bring and what happens if you don’t have one after the 2025 deadline. For more on travel regulations, find out how to renew your passport online and the steps to take if your flight is delayed or canceled.
What is Real ID?
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Real IDs won’t be required at airport security until 2025.
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Real ID-approved licenses will have one of these stars in the upper-right corner.
You can tell by looking at your license: If there is a gold, black or white star in the upper-right corner, you have a Real ID. (There are some minor variations — California places a white star over the state’s bear logo, while Maine puts it in an outline of the state.)
What do I need to get a Real ID card?
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An example of a driver’s license with a Real ID logo.
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