United States: What Domestic Travelers Need to Know About the May 7 REAL ID Act Deadline
April 23, 2025
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At a glance
- The Department of Homeland Security will soon begin to enforce the document requirements of the REAL ID Act for U.S. domestic air travelers age 18 or older – including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and nonimmigrants.
- Beginning May 7, travelers who choose to use a U.S. state driver’s license or non-driver ID for domestic travel must show a REAL-ID compliant document to board a commercial air flight.
- Alternative identification documents acceptable for U.S. domestic air travel include a U.S. or foreign passport, a U.S. passport card, a Global Entry or other U.S. trusted traveler card, a permanent resident card (green card), and a USCIS employment authorization document (EAD), among others.
- Travelers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant ID or other acceptable document may be refused boarding.
The issue
Beginning May 7, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security will enforce the REAL ID Act, which sets document security requirements for domestic air travel and other federal purposes. Individuals age 18 or older will be required to present a REAL ID compliant document or acceptable alternative identification in order to board a U.S. domestic flight on or after May 7.
The REAL ID Act requires U.S. states and territories to issue driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards that meet strict security rules. Though REAL ID was enacted in 2005, full implementation was delayed numerous times to allow U.S. states to bring their driver’s license standards in line with the Act and allow individuals time to obtain compliant documents. Though all U.S. states and territories now issue REAL ID-compliant identification, the Department of Homeland Security estimates that many non-compliant driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards remain in use.
Which documents are acceptable for domestic air travel after May 6, 2025?
As of May 7, 2025, domestic air travelers in the United States who are age 18 or older must present one of the following types of documents to board a flight:
- A state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets REAL ID requirements (a temporary license or ID is not acceptable); OR
- An acceptable alternative form of identification. The following documents, among others, are approved for domestic air travel:
- A U.S. passport;
- A U.S. passport card;
- A foreign government-issued passport;
- A DHS trusted traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST program);
- A U.S. permanent resident card (green card);
- A USCIS employment authorization document (EAD);
- A border crossing card;
- A Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card;
- A U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents;
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs); and
- Certain other federal identification cards.
The list of acceptable documents is subject to change without notice so travelers should consult the Transportation Security Administration website shortly before traveling to confirm that their documents are accepted.
What this means for domestic travelers
Individuals who anticipate traveling domestically on or after May 7 should review their state driver’s license or non-driver ID to ensure that it meets the requirements. If it does not, an acceptable alternative must be used for domestic air travel.
In general, REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs are marked with a star on the upper portion of the card. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and Enhanced Identification Documents (EDLs/EIDs) – which are REAL ID-compliant and are also acceptable documents for land crossings from Canada and Mexico – are marked with an image of the U.S. flag and the word “enhanced” at the top of the card.
Individuals who have questions about whether their state license or ID is acceptable under REAL ID should check with the relevant state Department of Motor Vehicles.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
