TOLEDO, Ohio — If you're looking to travel by plane within the US next year, you have a little more than 6 months to make sure your ID is compliant.
May 7, 2025 is the deadline to update your identification. The Federal Government has made it mandatory to use the new Real I-D to fly.
Although it looks a lot like a regular driver's license, the Real ID comes with a new application process.
"Really the difference is how you acquire it, said Jessica Mayle, a TSA regional spokesperson. "Just the way you have to prove who you are and you're citizenship. So, before we had 50 different states with 50 different rules attached and every state. Now it's just a little bit different and this way we have one set of standard nationwide."
A driver's license also clearly states it's not for federal use, while the Real ID has a star in the right-hand corner to make it stand apart.
"If you have the gold star that means you have already taken care of it," said Mayle. "If there's no gold star. Go to your state driver's license issuing authority and see what the steps are to get your real ID. Normally you do have to go in and make an appointment because the documentation is a little bit different than just renewing your driver license."
According to Homeland Security, the new form of I-D comes from a set of standards created by the 9/11 Commission.
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005. And the official purpose of the Act includes requiring federal identification for the following purposes:
- Securing safe access to federal facilities
- Boarding federally-regulated commercial aircrafts
- Entering nuclear power plants
Other forms of ID may still be used, including:
- U.S Passport
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Border crossing card
- Permanent resident card
Anyone under 18 is not required to have identification.