No, federal Real ID rules do not allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a Real ID card

A Real ID is a driver's license or state ID card that meets federal security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. To get one, you must prove lawful status in the United States — either citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid visa. Undocumented immigrants cannot meet this requirement, so they cannot obtain a Real ID card from any state.

This matters because starting May 7, 2025, a Real ID card (or a passport, passport card, or military ID) will be required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. A standard driver's license issued before Real ID rules took effect will no longer work for these purposes. If you are undocumented, you will need an alternative form of identification for air travel.

Some states issue driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, but these are not Real ID cards and do not meet federal standards. They work for driving and some state purposes, but not for federal ID requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Real ID requires proof of lawful immigration status, which undocumented immigrants cannot provide.
  • Starting May 7, 2025, a Real ID card or passport is required to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings.
  • Some states issue standard driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, but these do not meet Real ID standards.
  • A passport or passport card from your country of origin can be used for domestic air travel instead of a Real ID.
  • TSA PreCheck and Global Entry also require proof of lawful status and are not available to undocumented immigrants.

What documents Real ID requires

To get a Real ID, you must show your state's DMV one document proving your identity, one document proving your Social Security number, one document proving your address, and one document proving your immigration status. The immigration status document is the barrier for undocumented immigrants.

Acceptable documents for immigration status include a passport, visa, employment authorization document (EAD), permanent resident card, or refugee travel document. An undocumented person has none of these. A state ID or driver's license issued to an undocumented immigrant does not count as proof of lawful status for Real ID purposes.

Even if you have lived in the United States for decades, worked legally under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), or have a pending immigration case, you still cannot get a Real ID unless your current immigration status is documented. DACA holders with a valid EAD can get a Real ID; undocumented people without an EAD cannot.

Which states issue driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants

Twenty-one states and Washington, D.C. issue driver's licenses or ID cards to undocumented immigrants. These states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

These licenses are standard state IDs, not Real ID cards. They work for driving, opening a bank account, and some state purposes. They do not work for boarding a domestic flight or entering a federal building after May 7, 2025. If you live in one of these states and hold an undocumented immigrant license, you will need a passport or passport card for federal ID purposes.

States that do not issue licenses to undocumented immigrants include Texas, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and most others. In these states, undocumented immigrants cannot get any state-issued driver's license or ID card.

Using a passport instead of Real ID for air travel

If you are undocumented, you can use a valid passport or passport card from your country of origin to board a domestic flight. The TSA accepts foreign passports as valid identification for domestic air travel. You do not need a Real ID card.

A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a full passport book and works the same way for air travel. Both must be valid (not expired) at the time you travel. If your passport has expired, you will need to renew it through your country's consulate or embassy in the United States.

Bring your passport to the airport and present it at the TSA checkpoint along with your boarding pass, just as you would a Real ID card. The process is the same. TSA does not ask about immigration status; they only verify that your passport is valid and matches your boarding pass name.

Entering federal buildings without Real ID

Federal buildings include courthouses, Social Security offices, post offices, and federal office buildings. Starting May 7, 2025, entry to most federal buildings will require a Real ID card, passport, passport card, military ID, or certain other federal IDs. An undocumented immigrant can use a valid passport or passport card instead.

Some federal buildings have different rules. For example, you can enter a post office with any ID that shows your name and address. Call ahead to the specific federal building you need to visit and ask what identification they accept, because rules vary by location and by the type of business you are conducting.

If you need to visit a Social Security office, USCIS office, or immigration court, bring your passport. These offices are used to working with people who hold foreign documents and will accept a valid passport as identification.

What happens if you cannot get a Real ID and do not have a passport

If you are undocumented and do not have a valid passport from your country, you have limited options for federal ID purposes. You cannot get a Real ID, and you cannot board a domestic flight without a valid passport or Real ID card.

To get a passport from your country of origin, you will need to contact your country's consulate or embassy in the United States. Bring your birth certificate, proof of citizenship from your country, and a photo ID (such as a state driver's license if you have one). The process and cost vary by country. Some countries charge $50 to $200 for a passport; others charge more.

If you cannot travel by air, you can travel by car, train, or bus within the United States without a Real ID card. These modes of transportation do not have federal ID requirements. You will still need a valid driver's license to drive a car.

DACA holders and Real ID

If you have DACA status and a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD), you can get a Real ID card. Your EAD counts as proof of lawful status for Real ID purposes. Bring your EAD to your state's DMV along with the other required documents (identity, Social Security number, address).

DACA status is not the same as being undocumented. DACA is a temporary immigration status that allows you to work and live in the United States legally. It does not make you a permanent resident or citizen, but it does give you documented status for purposes like getting a Real ID card.

If your DACA status expires and you do not renew it, you will return to undocumented status and will no longer be able to renew your Real ID card. You would need to switch to using a passport for federal ID purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a state driver's license issued to undocumented immigrants for a domestic flight?

No. Starting May 7, 2025, a standard state driver's license does not meet federal requirements for air travel. You will need a Real ID card, passport, passport card, or military ID. If you hold a state license issued to undocumented immigrants, you must use a passport or passport card instead.

What if my passport is expired?

An expired passport will not work for air travel or federal building entry. You must renew it through your country's consulate or embassy before you travel. Processing times vary by country, so contact your consulate early to find out how long renewal takes.

Do I need to tell TSA I am undocumented when I show my passport?

No. TSA does not ask about immigration status. They only check that your passport is valid and matches your boarding pass. Your immigration status is not their concern for domestic air travel purposes.

Can I get a Real ID if I have a pending immigration case?

Not unless your pending case has resulted in a documented status (such as a work permit or visa). If you are waiting for a decision on an asylum case or green card process and do not yet have a document proving lawful status, you cannot get a Real ID. Use a passport instead.

What states let undocumented immigrants get a driver's license?

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. issue licenses to undocumented immigrants. These are standard licenses, not Real ID cards.