STARTING today, all US residents must present a Real ID-compliant form of identification to board domestic flights.
Any adult traveling without this documentation will face extra security screening at airports.
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Kristi Noem, the head of the US Department of Homeland Security, explained that travelers without a Real ID will still be able to fly now the updated identity system has come into effect.
However, they may face extra scrutiny at Transportation Security Agency (TSA) checkpoints.
Noem reported that 81% of travelers already have IDs that comply with the Real ID requirements.
Those that don’t “may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step” during the screening process.
“But people will be allowed to fly, we will make sure it’s as seamless as possible,” she added.
Noem revealed that checkpoints will also accept passports and tribal identification.
Real ID is a state-issued driver’s license or ID card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which homeland security says is a more secure form of identification.
The new ID will also be required to access certain federal buildings and facilities across the country.
All US travelers over the age of 18 will be required to present this documentation when boarding domestic flights.
Even those with TSA PreCheck, are not exempt from these requirements.
However, children under the age of 18 are still allowed to fly domestically without identification.
If you have yet to apply for your Real ID or are still waiting on it, the TSA said other forms of identification can be shown at checkpoints, these are listed below.
However, the TSA noted that this list is subject to change without notice.
Temporary driver’s licenses are not considered an acceptable form of ID.
Five states — Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington — issue enhanced IDs, which can be used to cross the US border in a vehicle.
List of acceptable IDs (subject to change)
- U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
- Cards from Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to military dependents
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- Photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation or Native American tribe
- Federal employee or contractor ID card
- Passport issued by a foreign government
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or ID card issued to Indigenous people in Canada
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employment authorization card
- U.S. merchant mariner credential
- Veteran health identification card
The TSA said enhanced IDs are also an acceptable form of identification at airport checkpoints.
The TSA currently accepts expired ID up to two years after expiration, for the above listed forms of identification.
According to the TSA, people without an acceptable ID may have to have their identity verified by providing information such as their name and current address.
Passengers with confirmed identities may then be subjected to additional screening.
And anyone without confirmed identities won’t be allowed to go through security.
A source familiar with the procedure told CBS News that the identity verification process is similar to what happens when people have their ID stolen on vacation.
Anyone who intends to have their identity verified at the airport should plan to arrive at least three hours before a domestic flight instead of the recommended two hours.
The TSA recommends all travelers, even those with Real IDs, give themselves extra time to get through security.
“Right now, we recommend that travelers get to the airport two hours before their domestic flight and three hours before their international flight,” TSA Media Spokesperson for Texas Patricia Mancha said.
“If you don’t have a REAL ID on May 7th or beyond, add two hours to that and make it a collective four or five hours.”
The goal will be to move people with noncompliant IDs to a separate area quickly so security lines don’t get backed up.
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