As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
According to Daily Kos, the rollout of this new requirement has been a real mess, and “applying for a REAL ID isn’t exactly easy. At a minimum, applicants must provide a document showing their full legal name and date of birth, proof of address—via utility bill or bank statement—and documents verifying their identity and legal status, like a birth certificate or passport. All for a document that may or may not be required at the airport starting today.”
In a congressional hearing Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told lawmakers that travelers without a REAL ID—or another compliant form of identification like a passport—“will be allowed to fly” as long as they submit to additional screening.
Daily Kos went on to report that “Agency officials said that roughly 81% of U.S. travelers already carry a compliant ID. If a driver’s license qualifies, it’ll typically have a black or gold star in the top right corner. Other acceptable forms include a Department of Defense ID, a Global Entry card, a green card, or a passport.”
The Transportation Security Administration says travelers flying without their REAL ID should show up extra early at the airport and prepare for additional screening.
