REAL ID Document Checker

Since May 7, 2025, anyone 18 or older who flies within the U.S. or visits certain federal facilities needs a REAL ID or another acceptable ID. TSA

This checklist asks up to four questions and links each requirement it uses to the federal rule or TSA page it comes from.

How This Checklist Decides

• The REAL ID rules cover three “official purposes”: entering federal facilities, boarding commercial flights regulated by TSA, and entering nuclear power plants. 6 CFR 37.3 (definitions)
• Since May 7, 2025, anyone 18 or older who flies within the U.S. or visits certain federal facilities needs a REAL ID or another acceptable ID. TSA
• Since May 7, 2025, airports no longer accept a state license or ID that isn’t REAL ID-compliant, other than an enhanced license or ID. TSA
• To prove identity, a person born in the U.S. can bring a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the vital records office of the state or territory of birth. 6 CFR 37.11(c)(1)
• For the Social Security number, the rule lists a Social Security card or, if the card isn’t available, a W-2, an SSA-1099, a non-SSA-1099 or a pay stub showing the applicant’s name and number. 6 CFR 37.11(e)(1)
• Since Dec. 27, 2020, states haven’t had to require a Social Security document, but they still must collect the number and verify it with the Social Security Administration. TSA
• To prove where they live, applicants bring at least two documents, of the state’s choosing, that show their name and principal residence. 6 CFR 37.11(f)
• If a state lets an applicant use a name different from the one on the identity document, for example after marriage, adoption or a court order, it requires proof of the change: documents issued by a court, a government body or another source the state accepts. 6 CFR 37.11(c)(2)
• Since Feb. 1, 2026, a traveler who can’t show an acceptable ID at the checkpoint can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, and TSA will then try to verify the traveler’s identity. TSA

Documents the Federal Rule Requires

• Documents must be originals, or certified copies where that applies. 6 CFR 37.3 (definitions)
• To prove identity, a person born in the U.S. can bring a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or a certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the vital records office of the state or territory of birth. 6 CFR 37.11(c)(1)
• A U.S. citizen born abroad can bring a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240, DS-1350 or FS-545), a Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550 or N-570) or a Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561). 6 CFR 37.11(c)(1)
• A permanent resident can bring a valid, unexpired permanent resident card (Form I-551, the green card). 6 CFR 37.11(c)(1)(iv)
• Other noncitizens can bring an unexpired employment authorization document (Form I-766 or I-688B), or an unexpired foreign passport with a valid, unexpired U.S. visa affixed and the approved I-94 showing the most recent entry into the U.S. 6 CFR 37.11(c)(1)
• Those documents don’t prove lawful status on their own, so the applicant must also bring a second document that does, such as one issued by DHS or another federal agency. 6 CFR 37.11(g)(2)
• For the Social Security number, the rule lists a Social Security card or, if the card isn’t available, a W-2, an SSA-1099, a non-SSA-1099 or a pay stub showing the applicant’s name and number. 6 CFR 37.11(e)(1)
• Since Dec. 27, 2020, states haven’t had to require a Social Security document, but they still must collect the number and verify it with the Social Security Administration. TSA
• To prove where they live, applicants bring at least two documents, of the state’s choosing, that show their name and principal residence. 6 CFR 37.11(f)
• If a state lets an applicant use a name different from the one on the identity document, for example after marriage, adoption or a court order, it requires proof of the change: documents issued by a court, a government body or another source the state accepts. 6 CFR 37.11(c)(2)
• A state may have a written exceptions process for people who, for reasons beyond their control, can’t present every document; it can accept other documents to prove identity or date of birth, and, for lawful status, only to prove U.S. citizenship. 6 CFR 37.11(h)

Flying Without a REAL ID

• TSA also accepts a U.S. passport or passport card, or a Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST trusted traveler card. TSA
• It accepts a state enhanced driver’s license or enhanced ID card. TSA
• It accepts a permanent resident card (green card), a work permit (Form I-766), a border crossing card or a foreign government passport. TSA
• It accepts a Defense Department ID (including one issued to a dependent), an HSPD-12 PIV card, a TWIC card, a U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential or a Veteran Health Identification Card. TSA
• It accepts a photo ID from a federally recognized tribe, including an Enhanced Tribal Card, and a Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card. TSA
• It accepts some mobile driver’s licenses from states approved for federal use, if the mobile license is based on a REAL ID or an enhanced license or ID. TSA
• As part of ongoing testing, TSA also accepts Apple Digital ID, Clear ID and Google ID pass. TSA
• TSA says its list of acceptable IDs can change without notice. TSA
• TSA currently accepts an ID on its list up to two years after it expires. TSA
• A temporary driver’s license isn’t an acceptable ID at the checkpoint. TSA
• TSA doesn’t require children under 18 to show ID on flights within the U.S., but airlines may have their own ID rules for them. TSA
• Since Feb. 1, 2026, a traveler who can’t show an acceptable ID at the checkpoint can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, and TSA will then try to verify the traveler’s identity. TSA
• TSA doesn’t guarantee it can verify identity this way, and a traveler without an acceptable ID who skips ConfirmID may not be allowed through security. TSA
• Verification takes 10 to 15 minutes on average, but it could take 30 minutes or more. TSA

Temporary and Limited-Term REAL IDs

• Lawful status covers U.S. citizens and nationals; permanent or temporary residents and conditional residents; refugees; people granted asylum or with a pending asylum application; people in valid nonimmigrant status; people with pending or approved temporary protected status (TPS) or approved deferred action; and people with a pending application for a green card or conditional residence. 6 CFR 37.3 (definitions)
• Of those, “temporary lawful status” means valid nonimmigrant status (except for citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau admitted under the Compacts of Free Association), a pending asylum application, pending or approved TPS, approved deferred action, or a pending application for a green card or conditional residence. 6 CFR 37.3 (definitions)
• A person in temporary lawful status can get only a temporary or limited-term REAL ID, which can’t last past the end of the person’s authorized stay (or more than one year if the stay has no end date), or longer than the state’s usual license term. 6 CFR 37.21(b)(1)

Keeping a REAL ID

• A REAL ID has a star in its upper right or left corner. TSA
• A REAL ID that isn’t temporary or limited-term is valid for up to eight years. 6 CFR 37.5(a)
• Holders must renew in person at least once every 16 years. 6 CFR 37.25(a)
• A state can’t renew a REAL ID remotely when the holder’s personal information has materially changed since it was issued; the change has to be shown with an original document. 6 CFR 37.25(b)(2)

Related GovFacts Articles

• About the REAL ID Act
• REAL ID Enforcement: What It Requires and the $45 TSA Fee
• A Guide to U.S. Military Base Access: What Visitors and Delivery Drivers Need to Know