The Real ID deadline is just 19 days away. If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of going through the process to get a Real ID, you may be wondering what will happen if you show up to the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint without one.
Starting May 7, 2025, you will be turned away at TSA if you don’t have a Real ID or an approved alternative. You won’t be allowed past the security checkpoint to your gate or plane.
To avoid being turned away at the airport, make sure you have a Real ID (or another form of identification that meets federal security standards). Here’s how to get your Real ID, check if you have one and what other identification documents will get you through TSA starting May 7.
What is a Real ID?
A Real ID is a federally approved, state-issued driver’s license or ID card that meets minimum security standards. It’s the same card as your driver’s license or state ID. The visible difference is a gold circle or Nevada shape with a clear star in the center.
Is Real ID information available in other languages?
Yes. You can read Real ID information in Spanish , French , Tagalog , simplified Chinese and Vietnamese .
Is Real ID my only option to fly after May 7, 2025?
No. Though standard driver’s licenses and state IDs will no longer be accepted by TSA as identification, travelers can also use an unexpired passport to fly domestically starting May 7, 2025, because it meets federal security requirements.
Can a Real ID be used as a passport?
Though a passport can be used to fly domestically in place of a Real ID because it meets federal security requirements, the two are not completely interchangeable. You still need a passport if you plan to fly internationally.
How do I get a Real ID?
You can get a Real ID by visiting a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles office. You will need to bring one document proving your identity, a document proving your Social Security number and two documents proving your residential address. If you have recently changed your name, you will also need proof of the change.
What is needed for Real ID in Nevada?
Documents that will be accepted by the DMV as proof of identity include:
- Valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
- U.S. state-issued birth certificate (original or certified copy)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Certificate of Naturalization
- Certificate of Citizenship
- Permanent Resident Card. If the card is expired, you must also present a Notice of Action showing an approved extension. The old pink version of the I-551, called the “Resident Alien Card,” which contains no expiration date, is also acceptable.
- Valid, unexpired foreign passport with an I-94 stamped “Processed for I-551.”
- Unexpired Employment Authorization Card
- Valid, unexpired foreign Passport with an unexpired U.S. Visa and an I-94 form. If the I-94 is expired, you must also present a Notice of Action, showing an approved extension.
Licenses and ID cards will be marked “LIMITED TERM” when immigration documents are used to prove identity.
What documents can I use to prove my Social Security number?
The following documents can be used as proof of your Social Security number as long as it has your full name and number on it.
- A social security card
- W-2 form
- IRS Form 1099
- A printed pay stub with your Social Security number
What documents can I use to prove my residence?
You can use a variety of documents to prove your address including:
- Receipt for the rent or lease of a residence
- Lease of a residence on which the applicant appears as the lessee
- Record from a public utility showing a service address
- Bank or credit card statement
- Employment check stub
- Document from a state or federal court
- Record, receipt or bill requesting payment
For a complete list of proof of residency documents, you can visit DMV’s website.
What documents can I provide to prove I recently changed my name?
You only need to bring documentation of your name change if the name on your identification documents do not match your current name. Documents accepted as proof of a name change include:
- Marriage certificate (government issued)
- Divorce decree
- Adoption records
- Court order
What if I lost my birth certificate? What if I lost my Social Security card?
Birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates can all be reordered through the state. For a complete list of offices you can visit for these certificates, visit the CDC’s website…