Read ID Act need to know

If you’re not a hard-core globetrotter, but still enjoy exploring the national parks throughout the year, flying to Vegas for the weekend, or have plans to visit out-of-state family for the holidays, then you need to be aware of the changes for US citizens traveling domestically in just two months from now.

In 2005, the United States passed the REAL ID Act mandating that all state-issued identification be compliant with their minimum security standards meant to improve the validity of an ID by adding security markings. States have been given over a decade to phase in compliant IDs, with over half of the United States given extensions to achieve compliance. What this means for you is that if your state-issued ID, such as your driver’s license or your identification card, is not compliant, TSA will no longer be able to accept them for domestic flights come October 10th, 2018.

These security measures only matter if you’re flying in a regulated commercial airplane domestically, and will not apply to you if you’re boarding a bus or train throughout the United States. If your state has received an extension, it’s up to the discretion of the Secretary of Homeland Security to decide whether or not it’ll be renewed — but why take any chances when you have time to apply for a passport?

State participation in the REAL ID Act is voluntary, so make sure to check whether your state-issued ID is compliant in the map below.

Photo: US Department of Homeland Security

What do I do if my state has received an extension, is under review, or is not compliant?

Get moving. Apply for a passport, or a passport card now, even if you only intend on traveling domestically. Passport applications can take some time, and if you’re behind on your taxes, you may be denied one, so get organized and start the process as soon as you can. We suggest that you order a 52-page passport at no extra charge, so that if you ever go abroad, you’ll have room for all the visas and stamps required. After all, you never know when you’re going to win an all-expenses paid trip to Fiji.

Is my state-issued Enhanced Driver’s License acceptable by federal agencies?

Yes, it’ll be sufficient. State-issued enhanced driver’s licenses are designed to provide both proof of identity and US citizenship. These licenses allow for traveling between the United States to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean due to the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip and barcode on it. If you’re lucky enough to reside in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington, these are currently the only states that issue Enhanced Driver’s Licenses.

Will I be turned away by TSA if I don’t have a license from a compliant state?

Yes, you’ll be turned away if you don’t provide an alternate form of ID that is compliant with the REAL ID Act, such as a passport. Acceptable forms of ID include:

US passport
US passport card
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
US Department of Defense ID
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential
US Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card
US Merchant Mariner Credential

Does this apply to minors?

No, children under 18 don’t need to provide ID when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will still need to have valid compliant identification.


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