REAL ID has been delayed again, until May 7, 2025. But don’t let this delay you in getting prepared. Plan ahead, and be ready!
The new ID law for air travel goes into effect on May 7, 2025. Prepare now to make sure you are covered. Review your options – you may already have what you need. What are you waiting for?
The new ID law for air travel goes into effect on May 7, 2025. Prepare now to make sure you are covered. Review your options – you may already have what you need. What are you waiting for?
REAL ID is a law, not an actual piece of ID. Per the law, there are many pieces of existing identification options that will work including:
Even though REAL ID goes into effect on May 7, 2025, it only affects folks who want to travel by plane or access certain federal facilities. Your standard driver’s license or ID card will work for other U.S. travel like driving in Washington, across state lines, or riding a train. Standard driver’s licenses or ID cards are available without U.S. citizenship; however, in July 2018, ID cards began featuring a marking that reads "federal limits apply". Markings do not indicate citizenship or immigration status. In addition, you can still access federal facilities like courts, Social Security offices, national parks, and health care facilities with a standard driver’s license or ID.
Discover REAL ID OptionsHere are some of the options that will work for air travel when REAL ID goes into effect on May 7, 2025. Find the full list here.
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to help combat terrorism and identity theft. The law set new requirements for identification that federal agencies may accept for domestic air travel and entrance to certain federal facilities. To comply, a state must create an ID that requires applicants to provide proof of identity and legal U.S. residency, as well as counterfeit-resistant security features. All states must comply with the law before it takes effect on May 7, 2025. Discover the full list of accepted ID documents under REAL ID.
Department of Homeland Security For information on the REAL ID law Washington Department of Licensing For information on enhanced and standard driver's licenses and ID cards Transportation Security Administration For information on documents needed to fly
About this siteID2025 was created by the Washington State Department of Licensing for the purpose of educating Washington residents about the REAL ID Act requirements and options.
