The REAL ID Act: What It Means, State by State Requirements, & Everything Else You Need To Know

An easy way to know your card is not compliant is if it says “Not for Federal Identification” or  “Federal Limits Apply.”

What Does It Mean For Me?

Airports are considered federal facilities, and therefore this act affects your ability to enter in order to board your flight.

Starting October 1, 2020, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification (like a passport or passport card) for accessing federal facilities — including boarding commercial aircraft.

Residents of states that have already begun issuing the new licenses have until October 1, 2020, to obtain a REAL ID compliant license. So just check your license to be sure.

If it is REAL ID compliant, there will be a star in the top right corner; many drivers may not realize they already have one, since some states have been issuing them for a few years.

But if you have a driver’s license from one of the states that have been granted an extension, your license is good for air travel through the dates noted in our chart unless additional extensions are granted.

Each state varies slightly. Also, note that these dates are not set in stone, as states may still obtain another extension beyond these dates as well.

BOTTOM LINE:If you are not in compliance with the REAL ID Act by your state’s deadline, you will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board your flight.

What the REAL ID Act ISN’T

A REAL ID is NOT a substitute for a passport for international travel. There are also a few other things that REAL ID doesn’t affect.

REAL ID requirements don’t apply to:

• Voting or registering to vote
• Applying for or receiving federal benefits
• Being licensed by a state to drive
• Entering federal facilities that do not require identification
• Accessing health- or life-preserving services (including hospitals and health clinics), law enforcement, or constitutionally protected activities (including a defendant’s access to court proceedings)
• Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigation

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Do I Need A REAL ID?

In most instances, obtaining a REAL ID isn’t necessary. There are still many reasons why people will choose to obtain a REAL ID. Here is a breakdown of some common reasons to consider getting a REAL ID and a few reasons why you might not need one.

Common Reasons To Obtain A REAL ID

• You want to fly with only your state-issued ID
• You don’t have a passport or another TSA-approved ID (listed below)
• You need to visit a secure federal facility, such as a military base, and don’t have a military ID

Reasons You May Not Need a REAL ID

• You are under 18 years old
• You only need your ID for purposes of identification
• You don’t mind bringing another TSA-approved ID (like a passport) along when you fly starting on Oct. 1, 2020

State by State Guidance

Now that you know what REAL ID is and how it affects you, we want to make sure you understand each state’s status. Since licenses are issued at the state-level, each process is slightly different.

Check out our map below for more information:

Here’s that information in a table format:

Now that you know where your state stands, don’t forget to check out the steps you should take next.

In order to get a Real ID-compliant license, you must physically go to a DMV officewith your identification documents, such as a birth certificate and passport.

States will not send you a REAL ID-compliant license automatically. All states are issuing compliant IDs, however, individuals may still choose not to upgrade their licenses.

What If My State Is Real ID-Compliant?

You will be able to use your state-issued ID at airports through October 1, 2020. After that date, you will still need a REAL ID (or another TSA-approved ID) in order to fly – both domestically and internationally.

What If My State Has Received an Extension or is Under Review?

If you have a REAL ID, you are good to go! If not, you will still able to use your state-issued ID at airports through the dates listed in the chart above. Additional extensions may be granted, but this isn’t a guarantee. Be sure to check back close to the expiration date for updates!

Steps to Take to Get a Compliant ID

Step 1: Make an appointment to visit a DMV field office before your state’s deadline. Here are the links to all of the local DMVs to help you get started with this process.

Step 2: On the day of your appointment, make sure you bring all necessary documents.  Here are the requirements with notable allowed documents.  Be sure to check with your local DMV to confirm.

• Proof of identity, such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, employment authorization document, permanent resident card, or foreign passport with an approved form I-94.
• Proof of your Social Security Number, such as an SSN card, W-2, or paystub with full SSN.
• (2) Proof of residency documents, such as a rental or lease agreement, mortgage bill, utility bill or employment, medical or school document.
• If applicable: An original or certified copy of a name change document, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decree, may be required.

Step 3: Pay fee for license. This will vary by state, but is generally less than $60. Check your state’s DMV website for the specific fee schedule.

What If I Don’t Want a Real ID-Compliant License?

You don’t have to upgrade your license in order to board your flight, but you will have to use an alternative (TSA-approved) form of ID. TSA currently accepts several other forms of identity documents:

As you can see, the most common alternatives to a REAL ID will be a U.S. passport or U.S. passport card.

Other less common items would be DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST), permanent resident card, Department of Defense ID, enhanced driver’s license, or federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID.

For more information on acceptable forms of identification for boarding aircraft, please see TSA’s website.

However, it should be noted that if the traveler cannot provide an acceptable form of identification, they will not be permitted through the security checkpoint to board their flight.

How much does a REAL ID cost?

One question you might want to be answered is the cost of a READ ID in your state. That price varies significantly throughout the country. It’s set by the state and the state also determines if the process for getting a REAL ID (when updating your driver’s license) is a renewal, duplicate, or a new license. Below is a map that has information on cost and process in each state.

Note that Oregon has said that there will be an additional fee for REAL IDs but has not determined that cost yet.

Potential State Revenue

Additionally, we were interested in estimating just how much revenue states might be bringing in due to the new REAL IDs. For this, we used the cost from the above numbers and multiplied them by the estimated number of drivers in each state, according to information from the Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.

This estimation is based on what we would consider the max possible revenue. As in, if every driver in each state got a new license for the REAL ID act. Because the new IDs are not mandatory, we understand that not everyone may get one. However, this is an approximation of revenue.

What About Children Under 18?

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification though.

Specific airlines may demand proof of the child’s age, such as a birth certificate or passport, but this is not regulated by TSA. Contact the specific airline for more information.

Final Thoughts

Now is the time to make sure you know the requirements in order to be REAL ID compliant.

In some states, it may take a few weeks (or longer!) to get an appointment at your local DMV. By taking steps towards compliance now, you can avoid the last-minute rush and be ready to go long before October 2020.