The Real ID Deadline Is Coming. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Context:
The deadline for travelers to present a Real ID at airport security is set for May 7, after years of delays. A Real ID is a federally compliant driver's license or ID marked with a star, necessary for boarding domestic flights, while passports remain essential for international travel. Enhanced driver's licenses, available in some states, comply with Real ID requirements and allow land and sea border crossings to nearby countries without a passport. The Real ID Act, introduced post-9/11 to improve security, has faced multiple delays due to privacy concerns and the pandemic. Despite the deadline, the TSA may still allow passengers without Real IDs to fly after additional identity verification processes.
Dive Deeper:
Real ID, marked with a star, becomes mandatory for domestic flights from May 7, replacing standard driver's licenses at TSA checkpoints. However, passports are still required for international travel.
The Real ID Act was enacted in response to the 9/11 attacks to establish uniform standards for state-issued IDs and improve national security, but its enforcement has been delayed multiple times.
Enhanced driver's licenses, available in select states, meet Real ID requirements and facilitate crossing land and sea borders to countries like Canada and Mexico without a passport, but are not valid for international air travel.
The application process for a Real ID involves providing documentation such as a Social Security number, proof of residence, and identity verification, often requiring an in-person appointment.
States vary widely in Real ID compliance rates, with some charging additional fees for upgrades, which has led to long lines and extended service hours at licensing offices.
The TSA allows other forms of ID, such as passports and Global Entry cards, and may permit travel without a Real ID following additional identity verification steps.
Children under 18 are not required to show identification for domestic travel by the TSA, but international travel mandates passports for minors of all ages.