REAL ID Deadline Nears: New ID Rules for U.S. Domestic Flights
The U.S. REAL ID federal compliance deadline is May 7, 2025. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendation to set minimum security standards for identification such as driver's licenses; state-issued IDs from non-compliant states will no longer be accepted by federal agencies such as TSA. Compliant IDs are generally marked with a star, and travelers can verify their state's status via the Department of Homeland Security's REAL ID page. Travelers without a REAL ID can still fly domestically using other acceptable identification, including a U.S. passport, passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry, permanent resident card, or an e…
Impact and considerations
This is a binding federal identification rule change that directly affects employee documentation and travel-compliance processes for domestic business trips.
Key points
- The compliance deadline is May 7, 2025; travelers without compliant ID may not clear TSA screening at domestic airports.
- The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to implement the 9/11 Commission's recommendation on identification security standards.
- Compliant IDs are generally marked with a star, and state compliance can be confirmed via the DHS REAL ID page.
- Acceptable alternatives include a U.S. passport, passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry/NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST, permanent resident card, and enhanced driver's license.
- Enhanced driver's licenses, such as those issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington, are acceptable for domestic flights.
- Applying for a REAL ID generally requires two documents proving state residency plus proof of Social Security number, with requirements varying by state.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- SAP Concur
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 4 Mar 2025, 22:13
- Page published
- 13 Aug 2026, 08:34
- Last updated
- 4 Mar 2025, 22:13
- Original links
- SAP Concur Blog：What U.S. Travelers Need to Know About REAL ID (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 4 Mar 2025, 22:13