Travel Alert: REAL ID Goes Into Effect May 7, 2025

The star in the upper right hand corner denotes a REAL ID compliant identification.

For travelers in the United States, a Real ID is a form of identification that meets enhanced security standards set by the federal government under the Real ID Act, passed in 2005. This law was enacted to strengthen identification requirements in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, aiming to make it harder for individuals to use fraudulent IDs. A Real ID-compliant card, typically a driver’s license or state-issued ID, features a star (or sometimes a different symbol, depending on the state) in the upper corner to indicate it meets these federal standards. It’s not a separate document but an upgraded version of your existing ID.

Starting May 7, 2025, the Real ID will be required for anyone 18 and older to board domestic commercial flights or access certain federal facilities, like courthouses or military bases, even if you’re just passing through airport security. Without a Real ID-compliant card, you’ll need an alternative like a passport or other federally accepted ID to travel by plane within the U.S. The deadline has been delayed multiple times—originally set for 2008—but as of now, May 7, 2025, is the date it goes into effect. Travelers should check with their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure their ID is compliant or apply for one well ahead of time, as processing can take weeks. If you already have a passport, that works too, but for those relying on a driver’s license, this is the new standard to keep in mind for air travel after early May 2025.