If you have a flight on the calendar this year, there is one change that stands out far above the rest. The federal government is moving from years of delays to full enforcement of strict identification standards at airport checkpoints. That shift affects millions of residents, frequent visitors, and the occasional vacationer alike. The bright side: with a little planning, you can be completely ready long before you roll your suitcase to the security line.
Let’s walk through what changed, including what is the new law for traveling in the US, what counts as acceptable ID, how to upgrade your license if you need to, and a few smart tactics that keep your trip on track even if something unexpected happens.
What changed and why now
The REAL ID Act was enacted in 2005 to set minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards. For a long time, enforcement at airports moved slowly. That patience has run out. The Department of Homeland Security has set May 7, 2025 as the date when TSA will require every passenger 18 and older to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to pass through security for domestic flights.
This is not a brand-new statute. It’s the final step in enforcing a law that has been on the books for years. The practical impact is very real. A standard license without the compliance mark will not get you through the checkpoint after the deadline.
The rule also applies to entry into certain federal facilities, though most travelers will feel it first and foremost at the airport.
What counts as acceptable ID at TSA after the deadline
TSA accepts a number of documents. A REAL ID-compliant driver license or state ID is the most common choice for residents. Your US passport works just as well. So do several federal credentials and tribal IDs.
Here is a quick reference you can rely on.
| ID type | Where to get it | Works for | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| REAL ID driver license or state ID | State DMV | Domestic flights | Look for a star or state-specific marking on the front. Bring required documents to upgrade. |
| US passport book | US Department of State | Domestic and international flights | The book is the gold standard at every checkpoint. Keep it valid for at least six months for many international trips. |
| US passport card | US Department of State | Domestic flights, land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Caribbean | Not valid for international air travel. Fits in a wallet. |
| Enhanced driver license (EDL) | Select state DMVs: MI, MN, NY, VT, WA | Domestic flights, land and sea border crossings | EDLs show both a star and “Enhanced.” They meet REAL ID rules. |
| DHS trusted traveler cards: Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI | US Customs and Border Protection | Domestic flights, land and sea border crossings | Accepted at TSA checkpoints. Keep the physical card handy. |
| Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) | US Citizenship and Immigration Services | Domestic flights | Works as photo ID for TSA. International travel rules are separate. |
| Employment Authorization Document | US Citizenship and Immigration Services | Domestic flights | Accepted as photo ID at TSA. |
| Federally recognized tribal photo ID | Issuing tribe | Domestic flights | Must be photo ID. |
| US military ID, DoD CAC, or federal PIV card | DoD or issuing agency | Domestic flights and federal facilities | Requires the physical card. |
| Digital mobile driver’s license (mDL) in wallet apps | Issued by participating states | Select TSA checkpoints | Only accepted at specific airports and terminals. Carry a physical ID as backup. |
A few quick points that cut through confusion:
- Children under 18 do not need ID to fly with a companion. Airlines may ask for proof of age for lap infants.
- Name consistency matters. If your boarding pass shows a different last name than your license due to marriage or a recent legal change, bring the original court or marriage documents.
- Gender markers on IDs, including X, do not need to match your presentation to clear security. TSA policy focuses on identity, not gender expression.
How to upgrade to a REAL ID license
Upgrading is simple when you gather the right documents in advance. States differ slightly in what they require, but most follow the same pattern. Plan for an in-person visit.
What to bring to your DMV:
- Proof of identity and legal presence
- US passport or certified birth certificate
- Social Security number
- Social Security card or a W-2/1099 that lists your full SSN
- Proof of residency in your state
- Two separate items, often a bank statement, mortgage or lease, or utility bill with your name and address
- Name change documents if your current legal name differs from your identity document
- Marriage certificate or court order
Tips that save time:
- Book an appointment. Walk-in lines can be unpredictable.
- Confirm your state’s exact document list on the DMV website. Photocopies and hospital birth certificates are frequently rejected.
- Ask for a temporary receipt plus mail delivery of the card. Your permanent card with the star marking often arrives within 2 to 4 weeks.
Not every state prints the same star. Some use a star in a circle, others a star cutout or a state emblem with a star. The DMV agent can confirm at the counter that your new card is REAL ID compliant.
What if you show up without compliant ID
Life happens. TSA has a process called identity verification for occasions when a traveler arrives without acceptable ID. A transportation security officer will ask for other documents or personal information and use secure databases to try to confirm identity. If successful, you may receive additional screening and still be allowed to fly.
There are limits. TSA never guarantees that identity verification will succeed, and wait times can swell during busy periods.
Smart contingency planning:
- Pack a passport even for domestic trips if your license is old or you are between renewals.
- Snap photos of your documents and store them in a secure password manager. While photos do not replace the real thing, they help during identity questions.
- Keep a credit card and a health insurance card in your wallet. TSA sometimes uses them as supporting documents.
Visitors from abroad
If you are visiting the United States on a foreign passport, TSA accepts that passport as ID for domestic flights. You do not need a US driver license to pass through security.
Separate rules apply for admission to the country:
- Visa Waiver Program travelers must have an approved ESTA. Apply online on the official DHS website well before your trip. Airlines verify ESTA status at check-in.
- Travelers with visas should carry their passport with the visa foil and any supporting documents that CBP asked you to bring.
- Several countries now issue ePassports with a chip icon on the cover. Many airlines require this for check-in even on routes that do not include the US.
Israel joined the Visa Waiver Program in 2023. If you are an Israeli passport holder, check the ESTA portal and current requirements before you fly.
For domestic flights inside the US during your visit, your passport is the simplest ID to present. A digital image will not work at security.
Privacy and biometrics at airports
Airports across the US have increased use of identity verification technology. Two changes are easy to notice.
- TSA Credential Authentication Technology scanners read the barcode on your ID and compare it to your face. Officers now often scan your ID without asking you to hand over a boarding pass, because the system checks that your flight and PreCheck status are valid.
- CBP uses facial comparison to confirm identities for many international departures and arrivals. The agency compares a real-time photo to passport images in government databases.
You can ask about alternatives. US citizens have the option to opt out of biometric face comparison during exit and request manual inspection instead. Lines and procedures vary by airport. If privacy is a top priority, arrive with extra time and be ready to ask the officer for the non-biometric option.
Other updates travelers should know in 2025
Not every change comes in the form of a hard requirement at the checkpoint. A few policy shifts and understanding what is the new law for traveling in the US can improve your trip if you use them wisely.
- PreCheck and teens: Children 17 and under may use the TSA PreCheck lane when traveling on the same reservation with a parent or guardian who has PreCheck, as long as the KTN is in the booking and the teen’s boarding pass shows PreCheck. This is a big help for families.
- Mobile driver’s licenses: A growing list of states now offer an mDL that you can add to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. TSA accepts mDL at certain airports and checkpoints. Until adoption is universal, carry a physical ID too.
- Passport timing: Processing times have improved from the peak delays of recent years. Even so, give yourself a healthy buffer. Six to nine weeks for routine service is a safe planning assumption, and faster options cost extra. Renew early if your expiration is within one year.
- Airline verification: Carriers now use more automated document checks at kiosks and on their apps. Upload passport and visa pages before you leave for the airport to prevent a stop at the full-service counter.
These upgrades can speed you through the airport when used together with a compliant ID.
Special cases: name changes, non-binary markers, and temporary paper licenses
Identity questions tend to spike when documents are in transition. A little foresight helps.
- Recent name change: If your ticket shows one last name and your license shows another, bring the original marriage certificate or court order. Book tickets in the name on your active passport or license until all records match.
- Non-binary and transgender travelers: TSA officers are trained that gender markers are not used to decide who can travel. You can use an ID with M, F, or X, regardless of your gender expression that day. Pack the ID that best matches your booking.
- Temporary paper licenses: Many states issue a paper interim license during renewal. TSA sometimes accepts a temporary license with an expired photo ID as a pair, but results vary. A passport removes the guesswork.
If you are upgrading to a REAL ID and your license is taken during the visit, keep your passport accessible for the next few weeks. That simple habit avoids a morning scramble on departure day.
What counts as a compliant license, by state
States meet the REAL ID standards in their own way. A few quick clues can help you read your card.
- Most states print a star in the upper right corner of a REAL ID-compliant card.
- Some use a black or gold star, others a cutout star inside a shape.
- Enhanced driver licenses carry the word Enhanced on the front and include a flag icon.
- A card marked Not for federal identification or Federal limits apply is not compliant for boarding.
When in doubt, check your DMV’s REAL ID page and compare the sample images to your card.
Getting a compliant ID without visiting a DMV
A US passport is the simplest all-around solution if you prefer to skip a DMV visit. It works for every flight, domestic or international. The passport card also satisfies TSA for domestic flights and fits in a wallet, though it cannot be used for international air travel.
Frequent border crossers might prefer Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI. The physical card is accepted by TSA for domestic flights and speeds up land and sea crossings. The Global Entry membership also grants TSA PreCheck access, which can make security much faster.
Road trips, Amtrak, and federal sites
The REAL ID checkpoints most travelers will meet are at airports. A few other contexts matter:
- Federal courthouses and certain secure federal buildings may require REAL ID-compliant cards or passports for entry. Many federal spaces that serve the public provide alternative screening.
- Amtrak does not require REAL ID to board a train. Conductors and staff may ask for photo ID in certain cases, and a driver license, passport, or other government ID works.
- Road trips across state lines do not involve ID checks, though it still helps to carry your license and registration. For car rentals, the agency will require a valid driver license and a credit or debit card.
If your plan includes a military base, call ahead. Entry rules vary and often require a specific type of federal or base-issued ID.
Frequently asked questions
Will a photocopy or a digital photo of my ID work at TSA?
- No. Bring the physical document or a digital mobile ID in an approved wallet at a checkpoint that supports it.
Is an expired passport valid as ID for TSA?
- Not valid for travel. Renew it early.
Do I need REAL ID to fly internationally?
- A passport book is required for international flights. REAL ID is about domestic checkpoints and federal facility access.
Can I board with a US permanent resident card and no passport?
- For domestic flights, yes. For international trips, follow the entry and exit requirements for your destination and your status.
What if my state still shows long appointment wait times?
- Use a passport as your primary travel ID while you wait for your DMV visit.
Quick checklist for your next flight
60 to 90 days before departure:
- Check your wallet. Look for the star or plan to use your passport.
- If you need a DMV visit, book the first available slot and gather documents.
- Verify your passport’s expiration date and renew if you are within one year of expiry.
Two weeks out:
- Add your Known Traveler Number to the reservation for PreCheck if you have it.
- Confirm that your ticket name matches your ID exactly.
Three days out:
- Upload passport details in the airline app for international trips.
- Print or download backups of your itinerary and confirmations.
Day of travel:
- Carry your compliant ID and a backup if you have one.
- Pack patience at the checkpoint and keep documents within easy reach.
Where to check the latest rules
Information changes. The fastest way to avoid surprises is to go straight to the source.
- TSA acceptable IDs page: tsa.gov
- DHS REAL ID information: dhs.gov/real-id
- Your state DMV or equivalent agency: look for the REAL ID section with sample cards and document lists
- CBP for ESTA, Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI: cbp.gov
- US Department of State for passports: travel.state.gov
- Airline travel pages for document upload and check-in rules
A few minutes on these sites before you book and again a week before you fly can spare you a long detour at the airport. With the right ID in hand, the rest of the trip is the fun part.
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