USA REAL ID: Everything You Need to Know
Starting in May 2025, U.S. travelers aged 18+ without a passport must present REAL ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights.
Read on for everything you need to know about REAL ID – including how it works, what it means for your travel program, and how your travelers can obtain a REAL ID.
Important note: REAL ID only affects U.S. citizens.
What is the REAL ID Act and what does it mean for U.S. domestic flights?
The REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for issuing state ID cards. It aims to make IDs more secure and more difficult to falsify.
The Act also aims to eliminate airline terrorism by increasing the requirements for U.S. residents to obtain documents that allow them to board domestic flights.
Here's the bit where it matters to travel programs - the Act prohibits TSA and other federal agencies from accepting any ID cards that do not meet revised security standards for domestic air travel. This means U.S. travelers without a valid passport need a compliant ID card to board a domestic flight, effective May 7, 2025.
What is a REAL ID card?
Most U.S. citizens have a driver's license or state ID card already, which doubles as a form of identification. Some already might be compliant with REAL ID.
Your travelers need to check if their ID card is compliant. All U.S. passengers aged 18+ will need REAL ID-compliant identification to board domestic flights from May 7, 2025, if they don't have a valid passport.
How do you know if it's REAL ID compliant?
Ask travelers to look for the star!
If they see a black or gold star in the upper-right corner of their ID card, that means they already have a REAL ID.
If they do not see a star OR their ID says something along the lines of “Federal Limits Apply,” that means they only have a standard ID. From May 7, 2025, these will no longer be considered federally approved forms of identification and will not be accepted at U.S. airports.
For a full list of REAL ID-compliant identification cards, check out the TSA’s official website.
What happens if my employees don’t have a REAL ID?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) says more than 94% of passengers already use REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.
Travelers unable to produce eligible identification will:
- Have an option to pay US$45 for the TSA ConfirmID system to verify their identity. This is valid for a 10-day travel period. Read more on TSA ConfirmID here.
- Or, not be able to board their domestic flight.
Think of the time and money this could waste if travelers aren't able to produce eligible identification. It could mean money lost on multiple non-refundable tickets, multiple charges on rebooking fees, or multiple itineraries that need to be readjusted.
Getting your employees REAL ID ready
To obtain a REAL ID, employees will have to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and provide the minimum required documentation showing their:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Two proofs of residency
- Lawful status
Some states may require additional documentation. Ask your employees to visit their state’s DMV website for a list of all required documents before booking their appointment.
Interested in learning more about REAL IDs? Check out the Department of Homeland Security’s official website for more information on deadlines, frequently asked questions, and more.
At FCM, we are always here to help your travel program run as smoothly as possible. Although we do not directly manage REAL IDs, customers are encouraged to reach out to us for more information on domestic travel in the United States.
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