A Real ID is a driver's license or state ID card that meets federal security standards

A Real ID is a driver's license or state identification card that meets security requirements set by the federal government. It has a gold star or other marking in the upper right corner. You use it the same way you use a regular ID — to prove who you are — but it also meets the standards the Department of Homeland Security requires for certain federal purposes.

The main difference is not what it looks like in your wallet. The difference is what it lets you do. A Real ID works for federal buildings, airports, and military bases in ways a standard state ID does not. If you have a passport, you already have a federal ID and do not need a Real ID for those purposes. But if you do not have a passport and you need to enter a federal building or board a domestic flight, a Real ID is one way to do it.

Key Takeaways

  • A Real ID is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building, military base, or nuclear facility without a passport.
  • Every state now issues Real IDs, though you have to ask for one — a standard driver's license does not automatically meet the standard.
  • You will need to bring documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and address when you explore at your state's DMV.
  • A Real ID costs the same as a regular license renewal in most states, though a few charge a small additional fee.

Where you actually need a Real ID

The federal government requires a Real ID (or a passport, passport card, or military ID) for three main situations. The first is boarding a domestic flight — any flight within the United States. The second is entering a federal building that requires ID, such as a courthouse or federal office. The third is entering a military base, a nuclear power plant, or other find federal facility.

If you have a passport or passport card, you do not need a Real ID for any of these purposes. A passport is a federal document and works everywhere a Real ID works. If you do not have a passport and you fly domestically or need to enter a federal building, you will need either a Real ID or a passport.

A Real ID does not work for international travel. If you want to fly to Canada, Mexico, or another country, you need a passport, passport card, or Enhanced Driver's License (which some states issue). A Real ID is only for domestic federal purposes.

How to get a Real ID at your state DMV

Every state now issues Real IDs. You get one by going to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency — some states call it the Secretary of State's office or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles). You cannot order one online or by mail in most states; you have to appear in person.

When you go, bring documents that prove your identity, your Social Security number, and your current address. Acceptable identity documents usually include a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers. For your address, a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days usually works. Your state's DMV website lists exactly what it accepts.

Tell the clerk you want a Real ID, not a standard license. Some states make you check a box or sign a form to request it. If you do not ask for it, you will get a standard license instead. The process takes about the same amount of time as a regular license renewal — usually 15 to 45 minutes at the counter, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Cost and how long it takes

A Real ID costs the same as a regular driver's license renewal in most states. A few states charge an extra $5 to $15 for the Real ID designation, but the majority do not. Check your state's DMV website to see if there is an additional fee.

You will get your Real ID in the mail within two to four weeks in most states. Some states offer expedited processing for an extra fee if you need it sooner. If you are flying soon and do not have a Real ID yet, a passport or passport card is faster — you can get a passport card in as little as two weeks if you pay for expedited service, though standard processing takes four to six weeks.

Real ID vs. Enhanced Driver's License vs. Passport

Three types of federal ID work for domestic flights and federal buildings: a Real ID, an Enhanced Driver's License, and a passport (or passport card). They all do the same job for those purposes, so you only need one.

A Real ID is a standard driver's license that meets federal security standards. It costs the same as a regular license and you get it at your state DMV.

An Enhanced Driver's License is a step above a Real ID. It has extra security features and works not only for domestic flights and federal buildings but also for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Only about 20 states offer them. They cost more than a Real ID (usually $20 to $50 extra) and take longer to process.

A passport or passport card is a federal document issued by the State Department. A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a full passport book and works for the same federal purposes as a Real ID, plus land and sea travel to Canada and Mexico. A full passport book works for international air travel. Passports take longer to get and cost more, but they work everywhere a Real ID works and beyond.

What happens if you do not have a Real ID

If you try to board a domestic flight without a Real ID, passport, passport card, or military ID, you will not be allowed through security. You will have to leave the airport and come back with an acceptable form of ID. This is why it matters if you fly regularly.

If you do not have a Real ID and you need to enter a federal building, the building's security will turn you away. Some federal buildings allow you to enter with a standard state ID if you are a regular employee or have a specific reason to be there, but the rule is that a Real ID (or passport or military ID) is required.

If you do not fly and do not need to enter federal buildings, you do not need a Real ID. A standard driver's license works for everything else — buying alcohol, proving your age, renting a car, opening a bank account. The Real ID requirement only applies to those specific federal purposes.

Real ID and immigration status

You can get a Real ID regardless of your immigration status if your state allows it. Some states issue Real IDs to people with temporary protected status, deferred action status, or work permits. Other states do not. Check your state's DMV website or call your local DMV office to find out what your state accepts.

If you are not a U.S. citizen and you want a federal ID for flights or federal buildings, a passport from your home country works just as well as a Real ID. You do not have to get a Real ID if you have a valid passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A passport works for everything a Real ID works for — domestic flights, federal buildings, military bases — plus international travel. If you have a passport, you do not need a Real ID.

Can I use a Real ID to travel internationally?

No. A Real ID only works for domestic flights and federal buildings. For international travel by air, you need a passport book. For land or sea travel to Canada or Mexico, you can use a passport card or Enhanced Driver's License.

What if I lost my Real ID?

Go to your state's DMV and report it lost, just as you would a regular license. You can usually order a replacement online or by mail in most states, and it will arrive in two to four weeks. If you need it faster, you can go to the DMV in person and pay for expedited processing.

Does a Real ID cost more than a regular license?

In most states, no — a Real ID costs the same as a regular license renewal. A handful of states charge an extra $5 to $15. Check your state's DMV website to see if there is an additional fee.

Can I get a Real ID if I am not a U.S. citizen?

It depends on your state and your immigration status. Some states issue Real IDs to people with work permits or temporary protected status. Call your state's DMV or check its website to find out what documents your state accepts.