REAL ID Deadline Looms: What You Need to Know Before You Fly

The clock is ticking for Americans who still haven’t updated their driver’s licenses or ID cards to meet the federally mandated REAL ID standards. With the deadline set for May 7, 2025, those without a REAL ID-compliant identification will soon find themselves grounded when trying to board domestic flights.

Mandated by a law passed two decades ago after the 9/11 Commission raised alarms, this requirement ensures that IDs meet stricter security criteria — which includes bearing a star symbol in an upper corner. To get that golden star, applicants must provide extra verification like their Social Security number and other documentation.

Flying without a REAL ID means you’ll need a valid alternative such as a passport, passport card, permanent resident card, military ID, or an enhanced driver’s license issued by some states. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced it will begin "phased enforcement" of this rule starting May 7, but it’s still unclear whether travelers lacking compliant IDs will be turned away outright or simply face added screening.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, travelers without a REAL ID or acceptable alternative won’t be permitted through airport security checkpoints after the deadline. The TSA expects this phased rollout to stretch over two years and could start with warnings before ramping up enforcement.

Beyond airports, REAL ID verification will soon be required for access to certain federal buildings and even nuclear power plants—a detail that underscores how this identification goes beyond just your travel plans.

Those who've recently renewed their licenses may already sport the necessary star, but if not, it’s wise to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to make sure you’re prepared. The process demands several documents, including proof of legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, lawful status, and two proofs of address. If you don’t have your Social Security card handy, a W-2 or pay stub displaying your Social Security number should work.

The REAL ID Act, signed by President George W. Bush in 2005, faced numerous delays as states rolled out the program. The cost to states was estimated at $11 billion back then, and a 2020 implementation deadline was postponed multiple times, notably due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting state offices.

TSA officials emphasize that REAL ID is designed to prevent fraudulent identification and bolster security measures. Still, some conservatives view the rollout as government overreach and a threat to civil liberties. Critics argue that if previous administrations delayed enforcing this mandate, why now push hard for it? Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin voiced skepticism, asking if this is just another bureaucratic hoop for citizens to jump through to retain the "right" to travel domestically.

Representative Thomas Massie has also chimed in, calling REAL ID a 2005-era "Patriot Act overreach" that gained new traction under the Trump administration, which some say is playing '4D chess.' Meanwhile, other lawmakers like Representative Mark Alford insist that it’s high time citizens stop procrastinating, get their paperwork in order, and head to the DMV.

With less than a month left, it's clear that REAL ID compliance is no longer optional for travelers wanting to avoid delays or denied boarding at airport security lines. So whether you see it as necessary security or governmental intrusion, this is one hoop you can’t skip if you plan on flying within the U.S.

Fox News' Liz Elkind contributed to this report.