You’ll Quickly Want a Actual ID to Fly — however Can You Use Your Passport As an alternative?

Likelihood is you’ve heard in regards to the Actual ID — possibly you have already got one. The gist is that beginning Might 7, 2025, each U.S. citizen who is eighteen years and older will want a Actual ID or accepted various to fly domestically. If you do not have one, you’ll be denied entry at TSA checkpoints.

However what precisely is a Actual ID and the way have you learnt if in case you have one? And if you have already got a passport, do you even want one? The brief reply is not any. However right here’s the why:

The Why Behind the Actual ID

The Actual ID is a safer, federally standardized driver’s license or identification card. The transition to Actual ID playing cards began in 2005 when the 9/11 Fee steered that the federal authorities “set requirements for the issuance of sources of identification, akin to driver’s licenses and identification playing cards.” The concept is to make sure that all U.S. driver’s licenses (aka ID playing cards) meet the identical safety customary and to ban federal businesses from accepting non-compliant driver’s licenses and identification playing cards for issues like air journey and getting into federal amenities.  

For that reason, should you’ve gotten a brand new driver’s license or identification card since 2005, likelihood is good you have already got a Actual ID. The compliant identification playing cards are being issued by all 50 U.S. states, in addition to Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

How one can Inform If You Have a Actual ID

You’ll know in case your driver’s license or identification card is a Actual ID if there’s a star within the prime portion of the cardboard (or, in California’s case, a bear with a star minimize out). You’ll be able to see the assorted “star sorts” (and the bear with a star) on the Actual ID FAQs web page at dhs.gov.

Utilizing Your Passport As an alternative of a Actual ID

In case you don’t have a Actual ID, you should utilize your passport or passport card to journey. The FAQs part of the Actual ID web site states: “The Act doesn’t … prohibit an company from accepting different types of identification paperwork (akin to a U.S. passport or passport card).”

As well as, should you dwell in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington, you may need a state-issued Enhanced Driver’s License. These “Enhanced Driver’s Licenses” and identification playing cards are an appropriate various to a Actual ID. You’ll know if in case you have an Enhanced Driver’s License in case your card has a picture of the U.S. flag and the phrase “Enhanced” on the prime of the cardboard. Most Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and identification playing cards do not need the Actual ID star marking within the prime proper nook.

How one can Get a Actual ID

Whereas we’ve established that you may nonetheless journey domestically along with your passport, passport card, or Enhanced Driver’s License, likelihood is you’ll finally need a Actual ID. To get one, you’ll want to go to the DMV and supply the next data, at a minimal:

1) Full Authorized Identify; 2) Date of Delivery; 3) Social Safety Quantity; 4) Two Proofs of Tackle of Principal Residence; and 5) Lawful Standing.

It’s price noting that some states might have further necessities, so examine your state’s driver’s licensing company web site earlier than visiting in particular person.