Before you start organizing your next summer vacation, be sure your travel documents bear the Real ID seal.

Anyone planning to fly domestically has until May 7, 2025, to obtain a state-issued ID card or driver’s license with the Real ID seal, as required by the Department of Homeland Security. (This does not apply if you already have a passport.)

Although the official deadline is still six months away, it’s wise to check that you are prepared for hassle-free travel.

Identification documents issued by states that lack the Real ID seal do not meet the “minimum security standards” mandated by The Real ID Act of 2005, making them ineligible for domestic air travel or access to federal facilities.

This requirement was initially set to begin in 2020 but has been postponed to May 2025 due to “backlog issues” at Motor Vehicle Division offices across the country as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as reported by YSL News.

The high volume of paperwork had hindered agencies’ progress in the rollout of the Real ID. However, this time, the deadline is definite.

This means that federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration, will not accept driver’s licenses or state IDs that do not comply with Real ID requirements.

Here are the essential details about Real ID, including how and where to obtain one.

Do I need a Real ID if I have a passport?

No. Travelers with a current passport or any other TSA-approved ID do not need a Real ID for domestic travel.

When does the Real ID requirement start?

Travelers over 18 without another TSA-approved ID must have a Real ID-compliant card or driver’s license by May 7, 2025. If you have a TSA-approved ID, then you likely don’t need to get a Real ID.

Other TSA-approved IDs include:

• State-issued enhanced driver’s license
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs for dependents
• Border crossing card
• A valid photo ID from a federally recognized Tribal Nation
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential
• USCIS Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC)

How can I get a Real ID?

You can get a Real ID driver’s license or ID from your local motor vehicle department. It typically takes around two weeks or 15 business days to process these IDs.

All Real IDs will display a stamp in the top right corner indicating that they comply with federal standards. The specific symbol on your Real ID will vary based on the state that issued it.

In addition to Real IDs, some states issue Enhanced IDs. These can also be accepted as alternatives to Real ID-compliant cards, as noted by the department.

What do you need to get a Real ID?

You need to check your state’s DMV website for specific documentation needed to obtain a REAL ID, as indicated by DHS.

At the very least, you will need to provide documentation that includes:

• Complete legal name
• Birth date
• Social security number
• Verification of primary residence
• Legal status

Different states might have extra requirements.