Deadline Looming: May 7, 2025 Official Day For U.S. REAL ID Requirements To Commence
In the U.S. there has been an ongoing process about a new type of federal ID requirement called REAL ID for several years now, but the implementation (which turned out to be a complete disaster) is now around the corner, with May 7, 2025 being […]
In the U.S. there has been an ongoing process about a new type of federal ID requirement called REAL ID for several years now, but the implementation (which turned out to be a complete disaster) is now around the corner, with May 7, 2025 being the starting date.
The issuance of the ID which is basically a drivers license or state ID but with the requirement to prove your citizenship or legal residence status to the DMV of your state has hit multiple brick walls over the years.
You can access the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website here.
REAL ID was supposed to start on May 3, 2023, after which regular driver’s licenses would no longer be accepted, for example, at airport security and other federal facilities. But that deadline came and went. Now it’s apparently for real and we have just about ONE MONTH left to see how this will turn out in reality.
There has also been a drive at DMV’s and even airports around the country to make sure people have a properly issued ID (now called REAL ID) in order to be let through TSA and other federal checkpoints.
I previously reported on a sign up event at LAX Airport:
The REAL ID was supposed to become compulsory from January 1st 2020, then it was postponed to 2022, then again (“due to COVID”) to May 3, 2023 from which day on travelers would be require a new/updated “REAL ID” or a passport (among a few other accepted documents) and now to 2025.
Usually, all this has to be done at a local DMV office and the process has slightly changed since the first days of REAL ID applications as now you can upload most required documents in advance to save time at the day of application, yet you have to carry the originals for an officer to verify.
A “Real ID” is available as both a driver’s license and a state ID. The document requirement is actually quite restrictive, and you’re only able to get one if you’re in possession of a Social Security Number (obviously no problem for U.S. citizens and lawful residents) as well as valid Identification, which includes, as a minimum a valid foreign passport, valid U.S. Visa and most recent I-94 (definitely a problem for individuals with questionable immigration status).
The U.S. is now fumbling around for 19 years, trying to put an ID requirement in place that was brought on the way through legislation a few years after 9/11. Let that sink in for a moment!
Acceptable Identification from May 7, 2025 (apart from the non-excluded driver’s licenses / IDs) will include:
- Valid passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents and DoD civilians)
- Permanent resident card
All foreign travelers obviously have a passport already, so it doesn’t concern them, and Permanent Residents will be able to use their PR Card (Green Card) as a form of identification.
For those not really desiring to do either, the cheapest and most convenient option is probably the Passport Card (see details here) which is a wallet-size card just like a driver’s license for a fee of US$65 that serves exactly like a passport for land- and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, and Bermuda. You can’t fly internationally with those, though.
Getting a passport card is actually easier – believe it or not – than getting a real ID, especially for people who changed their name when getting married it’s reportedly a pain in the rear to satisfy the DMV’s document requirements. I can only attest to this from what I read and what friends told me.
If you apply for your U.S. Passport booklet and the card together, you will also save a little bit on the fee. This has to be done at places that are designated to apply for or renew your U.S. passport, not the DMV.
I got a REAL ID from a local DMV in Los Angeles a few years ago to sign up for CLEAR, but it has since lapsed. Apparently, that doesn’t matter for CLEAR, though, as once you’re signed up, you’re golden (at least until they change that practice).
From my perspective, is the type of ID really an important factor when transporting individuals? As long as it’s a properly issued ID, with the person obviously being the same as listed and displayed on the photograph. What’s much more important (IMHO) is that TSA starts to conduct searches properly so that fewer people fly around with weapons that should have never passed the checkpoint.
But my warning would be to have one form of permissible ID ready, or you might not be able to fly anymore, from what it looks like.
Conclusion
The REAL ID requirement is once again making headlines for almost 20 years and counting, this time they are apparently serious about it and as per May 7, 2025 it will be a hard requirement or you won’t be able to pass security or board a plane (both things usually go together so there we have it).
Applicants who want to go to the DMV at the last minute can prepare their application online and upload the relevant documents. The documents must also be presented again to a DMV officer at the counter, and a fingerprint and live photo will be taken.
Honestly, I’m extremely curious what is going to happen on that day and beyond. There is NO WAY all these people who show up at the airport have a “REAL ID” yet, despite being in the news again and again. Are they really going to deny thousands and thousands of people boarding in four weeks? That is going to be a total mess. IF they want to enforce this then airports better have a lot of law enforcement on duty the next few months because people will go bonkers.
