To Fly, You'll Soon Need A REAL ID: What To Know

The REAL ID Act of 2005 is a plan enacted by Congress that will come into effect on May 7, 2025, requiring Americans to use a REAL ID to board a domestic flight, enter a federal government building, or visit a nuclear power plant. The law was passed in response to security concerns about the identities of people visiting possible terrorist targets after the 9/11 attacks. A REAL ID is issued by a state after a thorough check of a person's identity, and applicants must provide proof of lawful status in the United States. The REAL ID is distinguished from a regular driver's license by the presence of a black or gold star in the top corner of the card. Many Americans without a REAL ID will be unable to travel by air, and the Transportation Security Administration will only accept state IDs that are either REAL IDs or REAL ID-compliant documents. To obtain a REAL ID, applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship, a Social Security card, and at least two proofs of an address in the state or jurisdiction. Foreign nationals may be eligible for REAL IDs depending on their immigration status, but tourists visiting on B-1/B-2 status are ineligible. Some states issue identification documents to illegal immigrants that are nearly indistinguishable from those issued to U.S. citizens, but REAL ID will create a distinction between them. The implementation of the REAL ID program has been delayed several times due to opposition from states and processing delays, but the federal government is committed to implementing the program in full on the May 7 deadline. The program has been met with opposition from some politicians and airport authorities, who have warned that it will lead to travel delays and long lines at airports.