REAL ID
Why REAL ID?
Congress passed The REAL ID Act in 2005, in response to 9/11. States must now at least require proof of your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, legal residency, and two forms verifying your address before issuing a driver’s license or ID card.
What do I need to fly within the U.S.?
To travel domestically by plane, everyone over the age of 18 will need one of the following forms of identification:
- A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state photo identity card
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
For a full list of REAL ID-compliant forms of identification, visit the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification)
How do I know if I have a REAL ID?
Many states have been issuing REAL IDs for years, so there is a good chance you may already have one. If there is a star in a circle in the upper right corner of your ID or your ID says “Enhanced,” you have a REAL ID.
How to get a REAL ID
At minimum, all states now require that applicants provide: proof of legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, legal residency, and two forms of your address. However, there may be additional requirements, and these vary state-by-state.
Visit your state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV) to learn about what you need and to apply.
The Department of Homeland Security has a webpage with an interactive quiz and map where you can see if you have a form of REAL ID and find your state’s DMV website. www.dhs.gov/real-id
