Americans Need Real Id To Travel In 2025: Here Are The Requirements

Everything to know about the Real ID requirements, deadlines and more.

The United States is just days away from the Department of Homeland Security's federal requirement for Real ID for domestic flights and entering federal facilities.

To help you get ahead and avoid a dreaded hourslong wait at the DMV -- "Good Morning America" has gathered all the essential details you need to ensure your identification is up to date.

What is a Real ID?

The federal Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 following the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the Federal Government "set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses," DHS states on its website.

The new rules set out which forms of identification may be used to board flights within the United States and to enter secure federal facilities such as military bases, federal courthouses and other federal facilities.

Applying for a Real ID requires proof of identity, proof of residency and a trip to your local DMV. See below for more on the full requirements and application process details.

All U.S. states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories are issuing Real IDs.

DHS previously delayed the implementation of Real ID several times over the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, U.S. residents have less than one week to obtain their soon-to-be federally required form of identification.

Real ID application requirements

Requirements vary by state, so check the DHS website to see your state's specific requirements.

At a minimum, applicants are required to provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address and lawful status, according to the DHS website.

Proof of Social Security number may come from a Social Security Administration account card or a W-2 form, a pay stub, a SSA-1099 form or a non-SSA-1099 form, according to DHS.

What is the latest deadline for Real ID?

An example of a REAL ID from North Carolina issued by the DMV.

Enforcement of the Real ID requirement will begin May 7, 2025.

Starting on that date, a Real ID or other federally approved identification will be required to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.

Federal agencies including the Transportation Security Administration may only accept state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards as identification for the purposes of accessing federal facilities -- including TSA airport security checkpoints -- if the license or card was issued by a Real ID compliant state in accordance with the Real ID security standards.

Enhanced driver's licenses issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to Real ID-compliant cards, according to DHS, and will also be accepted for official Real ID purposes.

What does a Real ID look like?

An example of a REAL ID from New York issued by the DMV.

The Real ID looks almost the same as a current state ID card or driver's license but has a compliant star marking.

Some differences may vary by state, such as in California, where a small golden bear appears on the top right corner with the white star on the animal's left side.

An example of a REAL ID from California issued by the DMV.

If an ID says "federal limits apply," that person will not be able to board a domestic flight or enter federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other locations after the May 7, 2025, deadline.

Does Real ID replace a passport?

The Real ID does not replace a passport for international travel.

However, a valid passport is compliant identification for travelers to fly domestic within the U.S. and access secure federal locations without additional documentation, according to the DMV.

Click here for additional answers from DHS to some frequently asked questions about Real ID.