The Ultimate Guide to Real ID: What You Need to Know for Domestic Travel

At AnewVista Community Services, our vision is to empower seniors to confidently navigate technology and access the information they need to live fulfilling, healthier, more independent lives. Understanding essential information like the REAL ID is a key part of confidently navigating the digital world and beyond. The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

What is a Real ID?

A REAL ID is a driver's license or identification card that is also a federally accepted form of identification. You can tell if your ID is REAL ID-compliant by looking for a star marking in the upper top portion of the card. This star is typically gold or black. For example, a California REAL ID will feature a California grizzly bear with a star in the top right corner. If your card does not have this star marking (or the specific state-compliant marking like California's bear and star), it is not REAL ID-compliant and, starting May 7, 2025, it won't be accepted as proof of identity to board commercial aircraft.

How to Get a Real ID

To obtain a REAL ID, you will need to visit your state's driver's licensing agency website to find out exactly what documentation is required. At a minimum, you must provide documentation showing:

1. Full Legal Name

2. Date of Birth

3. Social Security Number

4. Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence

5. Lawful Status

States may impose additional requirements, so checking with your state's driver's licensing agency website for additional guidance is always a good first step.

Real ID and Domestic Travel

Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights. If you do not have a REAL ID, you will need to use an alternative form of identification. Knowing your options helps ensure a frustration-free travel experience.

Alternatives to Real ID for Domestic Travel

If you do not have a REAL ID, you can use one of the following alternative forms of identification for domestic air travel:

• U.S. passport

• U.S. passport card

• DHS trusted traveler cards (including Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents

• Permanent resident card

• Border crossing card

• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)

• HSPD-12 PIV card

• Foreign government-issued passport

• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

  
  

  

Important Note on CLEAR: 

While a CLEAR membership can significantly speed up your passage through airport security by verifying your identity via biometrics (fingerprints or iris scan), CLEAR itself is not a form of identification that replaces a REAL ID. You will still need to present a REAL ID-compliant document or one of the alternatives listed above to the TSA officer after your identity is verified by CLEAR.

If you have any further questions about these requirements or need help navigating online resources to check your state's DMV requirements, please remember that AnewVista Community Services is here to help. Our goal is to make sure every senior feels confident and capable in the digital world, and that includes understanding important travel documentation. You can always check the TSA website for the most current information.

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