REAL ID Deadline Arrives for Domestic Air Travelers in the United States

What Happened?

The REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005, will finally take effect on May 7, 2025, for domestic air travelers in the United States. In order to fly domestically, passengers in the United States will have to present a REAL ID or an alternative, which includes a valid passport or Department of Defense issued identification. REAL ID cards will also be required to enter federal buildings or secure federal facilities.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristin Noem said that passengers can still fly without the REAL ID, but they may experience additional security checks and other delays while attempting to board flights domestically. 

Why it Matters

According to the U.S. government, approximately 81% of Americans already have a REAL ID, leaving a sizeable portion of the population without one. In the past few weeks, states have been reporting long lines at departments of motor vehicles as people rushed to get a REAL ID before the deadline passed.

Scammers have increased activity ahead of the deadline, targeting potential victims with phony texts and emails telling them if they don’t respond immediately, they could face fines or even criminal prosecution. The scammers hope to use the pressure of the approaching deadline to scare people into clicking on malicious links they sent, which will then give the scammers access to their personal information. 

While the onus is on individual citizens to comply with the new law, government offices, whether state or federal, will never contact you about your REAL ID. So, anyone who receives a text, email, or call can know right away the message is not genuine. 

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government ‘set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards.’ Driver’s licenses which are REAL ID compliant will have a small yellow star on the upper right-hand corner of the license. 

While the Transportation Security Administration will start enforcing the law on May 7, 2025, people can still obtain a REAL ID from their local state office after that. Whether the new law and its enforcement will cause any problems at U.S. airports remains to be seen, but TSA officials said they do expect some issues such as delays for people trying to fly without one.

How it Affects You

In order to expedite the process of going through security at airports in the United States, starting May 7^th, you will need to present either a REAL ID or one of the approved alternatives. Despite a string of incidents involving commercial aircraft, air travel remains heavy in the U.S., which often means long lines at security checkpoints. If you try to go through security without a REAL ID, you could face significant delays and extra security screening.