The deadline to fly without a Real ID is just weeks away. If you have a passport but haven’t upgraded your license, you may be wondering if it’s enough to get through airport security.
Here’s what to know about Real ID requirements, deadlines and alternatives.
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 after 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.
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 .
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.
You can also get a copy of your birth certificate in person or by mail by contacting the county health department of the county you were born in. The health department will likely have a form for you to fill out to get an official copy of your birth certificate. If you were born in Washoe County, you can find that form and instructions on how to get your birth certificate in-person or by mail on Northern Nevada Public Health’s website…