The U.S. Department of Homeland Security continues moving toward its 2018 REAL ID deadline, which will affect the kinds of identification U.S. residents can use to board domestic flights. Here’s the latest:
- Right now, residents of any U.S. state or territory can board a domestic flight using their driver’s licenses or any of the other forms of identification accepted by the federal Transportation Security Administration (passport, Global Entry card, U.S. military ID, airline- or airport-issued ID and more). See the full list of accepted identification.
- Effective Jan. 22, 2018, a U.S. resident with a driver’s license issued by a state that does not meet REAL ID requirements or has not been granted an extension by TSA must present one of the accepted alternative forms of identification to board a domestic flight. Check the status of your state or territory.
- Starting Oct. 1, 2020, every U.S. resident will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification for domestic air travel.
The REAL ID Act was passed by the U.S. Congress following a post-9/11 evaluation of security measures. For a state-issued driver’s license or identification card to be REAL ID compliant, the state issuing it must take steps to increase security, such as incorporating anti-counterfeit technology into the card; verifying the applicant’s identity; and conducting background checks on employees involved in issuing driver’s licenses.
