REAL ID Requirement for U.S. Domestic Flights Takes Effect May 2025

Starting May 7, 2025, all air travelers aged 18 and older in the United States will need to present REAL ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights, according to new requirements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The deadline coincides with the Transportation Security Administration’s expansion of facial recognition technology to 80 U.S. airports, preparing for the nationwide implementation of enhanced identity verification measures.

The REAL ID Act, enacted in 2005, established federal standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. The law requires states to implement specific security measures and verification procedures when issuing these documents to help prevent identity theft and enhance national security. The requirements are part of broader digital transformation efforts, as several states have begun offering digital driver’s licenses through platforms like Google Wallet.

Under the new requirements, travelers must show either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, marked with a star symbol, or an alternative acceptable form of identification to pass through airport security checkpoints. The DHS has been coordinating with state governments to ensure compliance with these standards, while states like Illinois prepare to launch digital driver’s licenses and state IDs that meet REAL ID requirements.

The implementation timeline has undergone several adjustments since the law’s initial passage. The current May 2025 deadline represents the final phase of a nationwide rollout that has given states and territories time to update their identification systems and processes. The schedule aligns with the broader adoption of digital identity technologies, including mobile driver’s licenses that comply with the ISO/IEC standards for digital identification.

“Beginning May 7, 2025, every traveler 18 years of age or older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to board a domestic flight,” the Department of Homeland Security stated in its announcement of the requirements.

The regulation affects all domestic air travel within the United States, applying to both citizens and non-citizens. Travelers who do not obtain REAL ID-compliant identification before the deadline will need to present alternative acceptable documents, such as a valid passport, to board domestic flights. The changes are part of a broader modernization of travel security, with many airports implementing biometric verification systems to enhance security and streamline the passenger experience.

Sources: The National Desk, NBC Right Now, KSAT

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December 31, 2024 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team