For nearly twenty years, the U.S. government has been informing Americans that their state-issued driver's license or nondriver identification will not suffice for domestic flights or federal buildings. After multiple deadline extensions, the final deadline of May 7 is approaching.
In less than two weeks, the Department of Homeland Security will start enforcing a 2005 law mandating all passengers over 18 to possess a security-enhanced REAL ID or another federally recognized document, like a U.S. passport.
As the enforcement deadline nears, here's what you need to know about the REAL ID Act and the reasons for its lengthy implementation.
In 2004, Congress passed a law mandating a national digital identification system to enhance security for state-issued driver's licenses and personal identification cards post-9/11.
The REAL ID Act, signed into law by former President George W. Bush in 2005, requires individuals to verify their full legal name, Social Security number, and residency and lawful status to the DMV. States are then required to link their license databases to a national electronic network.
However, states faced challenges as federal funding was lacking for the required changes. By 2007, 13 states opposed the ID card due to high costs and privacy concerns.
Enforcement delays ensued due to opposition and state government refusals, but compliance began in 2012. Despite multiple extensions, COVID-19 halted progress until December 2022.
Due to the pandemic backlog, the federal agency extended the deadline to May 2025 to allow state motor vehicle departments to catch up on applications.
Explore key dates related to the Real ID Act and its delayed rollout: