Planning to travel as an immigrant: What is the REAL ID 2025?

Starting Wednesday, May 7th, anyone 18 years and older traveling domestically within the United States must have a REAL ID-compliant state-issued driver’s license or another accepted form of identification to board a commercial flight.

To learn more about the REAL ID, how to obtain one, and what alternative documents are accepted for travel, keep watching.

Who is Affected

Anyone 18 years and older boarding a flight in the United States

Including:

Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders)
Non-immigrant Visa Holders
Undocumented immigrants

What is a Real ID

A Real ID is a type of state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets enhanced federal security standards established by Congress with the passage of the Real ID Act in 2005. It was created to improve the reliability of photo IDs and to prevent identity fraud.

At a Glance

A Real ID is a federally approved form of identification that includes additional security features compared to standard licenses.
It is required for boarding domestic commercial flights and contains a Real ID star marking on the top right.

How to Get One

Gather Required Documents: You’ll need to provide proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or foreign passport with valid U.S. visa and approved form I-94), proof of a Social Security number (such as your SSN card or paystub), and proof of your residency (two documents such as a Federal Tax Return, rental or lease agreement).
Application Process: With your documents in hand, visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (or the equivalent issuing agency in your state), or check to see if you can complete your application online, and pay the applicable fees to receive a Real ID-compliant card.

Verify Whether your License is Already Real ID-Compliant

If your driver’s license or state ID has a star in the upper right-hand corner, it is already REAL-ID-compliant.

Alternative Travel Documents

If you do not have a Real ID, you can still travel domestically after May 7^th if you use another approved form of identification to board your flight.

You can find the complete list of acceptable travel documents on the TSA website here.

Acceptable Identification:

U.S. Passport or Passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
Border Crossing card
HSPD-12 PIV cards
Foreign Government-issued Passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment Authorization Card (I-766/EAD)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Children

Children under 18 are generally not required to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Travelers should contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18 years of age.

What if I don’t have an Acceptable ID?

If you do not have a Real ID or acceptable alternative form of identification, TSA may ask you to complete an identity verification process. This includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity and being subject to additional screening.

You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose not to provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed.

For more information about Real ID, please click here.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.

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