REAL ID Rules Kick In: What Travelers Need to Know

Having the right travel documents ensures a smooth journey. Staying informed can help prevent delays, especially with evolving regulations like REAL ID. Explore our blog for insights into the U.S.’s new REAL ID requirements and guidance for travelers and HR professionals.

Real ID Requirements 

Effective May 7, 2025, travelers aged 18 or older, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents and nonimmigrants, must present a REAL ID-compliant document or acceptable alternative to board a U.S. domestic commercial air flight and access certain federal facilities. Travelers who do not have an acceptable document may be subject to additional screening or refused boarding.  

Domestic Air Travelers aged 18 or older must present one of the following: 

• A state-issued driver’s license or identification card that meets the REAL ID requirements (a temporary license or ID is not acceptable); OR
• An acceptable alternative form of identification. The following documents, among others, are approved for domestic air travel: 
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. 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 
  • Border crossing card 
  • An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs) 
  • HSPD-12 PIV card 
  • Foreign government-issued passport 
  • Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card 
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) 
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) 
  • U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential 
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) 

The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice, so travelers are strongly encouraged to check the accepted IDs shortly before traveling to confirm that their documentation meets the requirements.  

To confirm if your ID is READ ID compliant, please check for the requirements for your state of residence here. For more information, consult the REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions provided by TSA.  

Don’t Miss an Update  

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