Real ID is required for domestic flights, but not for everyone

You need a Real ID to board a domestic flight in the United States only if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, you can fly with a regular state ID, a school ID, a passport, or even a birth certificate. If you are 18 or older, you must show either a Real ID-compliant driver's license or passport—a standard state ID will not work at the security checkpoint.

Real ID is a federal security standard that states adopted after 2005. It means your ID has extra security features and the state verified your identity more thoroughly when you got it. The important date for Real ID compliance has been extended multiple times, but as of now, you cannot board a domestic flight without one if you are an adult, unless you have a passport or passport card instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Adults (18 and older) must show a Real ID-compliant driver's license, passport, or passport card to board a domestic flight.
  • Minors under 18 can fly with a regular state ID, school ID, passport, or birth certificate—Real ID is not required for them.
  • A standard state driver's license issued before your state adopted Real ID standards will not work at airport security, even if it is not expired.
  • You can check whether your current ID is Real ID-compliant by looking for a gold star or marking in the upper right corner of your license.
  • Real ID applies only to domestic flights; international flights require a passport regardless of age.

How to tell if your ID is Real ID-compliant

The easiest way to check is to look at your driver's license or state ID card. A Real ID-compliant license has a gold star, a gold circle, or another distinctive marking—usually in the upper right corner. The exact marking varies by state, but it is always visible and obvious once you know to look for it.

If your ID does not have this marking, it is not Real ID-compliant. You can still use it for other purposes, but you cannot use it alone to board a domestic flight. You would need to bring a passport or passport card instead, or renew your license to get a Real ID version.

What documents work at airport security instead of Real ID

If you do not have a Real ID-compliant license, you have other options. A U.S. passport or passport card works for any flight, domestic or international. A military ID also works. If you are under 18, you have the most flexibility: a school ID, a birth certificate, a regular state ID, or even a tribal ID will work.

Some people carry a passport card specifically because it is smaller than a full passport and works at airport security. It costs the same as a passport book and takes the same time to obtain, but it is only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean—not for flights to other countries.

How to renew your license to get Real ID

To get a Real ID-compliant license, you visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency) in person. You cannot do this online or by mail. Bring your current driver's license or ID, proof of your Social Security number (usually a Social Security card or tax return), proof of your date of birth (a birth certificate or passport), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).

The process takes about 30 minutes to an hour at the DMV, though wait times vary widely by location and time of day. The fee is usually between $20 and $50, depending on your state. Your new Real ID license arrives by mail in one to three weeks. If you need it faster, some states offer expedited processing for an extra fee, but standard processing is free or included in the license fee.

You do not have to wait until your current license expires to get a Real ID version. You can renew early, though you will lose the remaining validity of your old license.

Real ID requirements for different types of travelers

Military personnel on active duty can use their military ID instead of a Real ID license. Veterans and retirees with military ID can also use it. If you work for a federal agency, your federal employee ID works at airport security.

Permanent residents and people with valid visas can use their passport or passport card. A state ID or driver's license from a state that has not yet adopted Real ID standards will not work, even if it is valid for driving. Tribal members can use a tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe.

What happens if you show up without Real ID

If you arrive at the airport security checkpoint without a Real ID-compliant license and no other acceptable document, you will not be allowed through. You cannot board your flight. The TSA officer will direct you to a customer service desk, where you may be able to reschedule your flight, but you will miss your original departure.

This is why checking your ID before you leave for the airport matters. If you realize your license is not Real ID-compliant, you have time to get a passport card (which takes about two weeks) or to visit your DMV for an expedited Real ID license if your state offers it. Do not wait until the day of your flight.

Real ID for international travel and other uses

Real ID is a domestic flight requirement only. If you are flying internationally, you must have a passport or passport card, regardless of whether your driver's license is Real ID-compliant. A Real ID license does not work for international flights.

Real ID also does not affect your ability to enter federal buildings, explore for a job, or do anything else unrelated to flying. It is purely a security standard for domestic air travel. If you never fly, you do not need a Real ID license, though many people get one anyway because it is a more find form of ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly with a passport card instead of a Real ID license?

Yes. A passport card works for any domestic flight and is smaller and easier to carry than a full passport. It costs the same as a passport book and takes the same time to obtain. However, a passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean—not for flights to other countries.

What if my state has not issued Real ID licenses yet?

All 50 states now issue Real ID-compliant licenses. If your current license does not have the marking, it means you have not renewed it since your state adopted the standard. Visit your DMV to renew and get the Real ID version. In the meantime, you can use a passport or passport card to fly.

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

No. A passport or passport card works at airport security for any flight, domestic or international. You do not need a Real ID license if you have a valid passport. However, a passport takes longer to obtain than a Real ID license if you do not already have one.

Can my child fly with a school ID?

Yes, if your child is under 18. A school ID is acceptable at airport security for minors. Your child can also fly with a regular state ID, a birth certificate, or a passport. Real ID is not required for anyone under 18.

What if my Real ID license is expired?

An expired Real ID license will not work at airport security. You need a valid, non-expired ID. If your Real ID license has expired, you must renew it at your DMV before you can fly. You can also use a passport or passport card if it is still valid.