Key Takeaways
• You must have a REAL ID-compliant card or passport for U.S. flights and federal buildings after May 7, 2025.
• Look for a gold (or sometimes black) star in the upper right corner to confirm REAL ID compliance on your ID.
• Apply early at your state DMV with identity, residency, and Social Security documents to avoid long wait times.
Verifying REAL ID Compliance: Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ aims to help you check if your current state-issued ID meets REAL ID standards. It also explains what REAL ID is, how to spot a REAL ID-compliant card, and what to do if your ID is not compliant. These requirements matter for both U.S. citizens and immigrants, especially when traveling or accessing federal facilities after May 7, 2025. All information and steps mentioned are based only on confirmed official sources.
Most Popular Questions
- What is a REAL ID?
- How do I know if my state-issued ID meets REAL ID standards?
- Why do I need a REAL ID?
- What should I do if my card doesn’t have the gold star?
- Which documents are needed to get a REAL ID-compliant card?
- Will my current ID still work after May 7, 2025?
Below, you will find answers to these common queries and more.
What is a REAL ID?
A REAL ID is a special type of state-issued ID card or driver’s license that meets higher federal security standards set by the United States 🇺🇸 government. Beginning May 7, 2025, you must have a REAL ID-compliant document (or another accepted credential like a passport) if you want to:
- Board domestic flights in the United States 🇺🇸
- Enter federal buildings that require identification
- Access military bases
The goal of these stricter rules is to make identification safer and reduce problems like identity theft.
How do I check if my card is REAL ID compliant?
The simplest way to check if your state-issued ID is compliant is to look for a gold star in the top right corner of your card. This gold star is the universal sign that your card meets the federal REAL ID standard.
Important things to look for:
- In most states, a gold star appears in the upper right corner of a REAL ID card.
- Some states use a black star or gold star (for example, Georgia uses either color).
- Texas clearly marks REAL ID cards with a gold star.
- If your card does not have the gold star or any star marking, it is likely not REAL ID compliant.
If you are not sure, you can check with your state’s driver licensing agency or visit their official website.
Are there special markings in any states?
Yes. While the gold star in the top right is the standard sign for a compliant card, some states use different colors or have slight changes in position. For example:
- Georgia: Black star or gold star
- Texas: Gold star
- Other states, such as Colorado, Connecticut, and Florida: Gold star
A card with “Not for Federal Identification” or similar wording printed on it does not meet the REAL ID rules.
Do all state-issued IDs come with a gold star now?
Almost all new state-issued IDs and driver’s licenses issued by state agencies today have the gold star if you provide the necessary documents. However, you may still have an old card without the gold star if you got it before your state started issuing REAL ID-compliant cards.
Examples:
– Florida 🇺🇸 began issuing REAL ID cards after January 1, 2010.
– Georgia 🇺🇸 has issued compliant cards since 2012.
– Colorado 🇺🇸, Connecticut 🇺🇸, and other states updated their cards around 2012.
Check your issue date and compare it to the timelines above, particularly if you renewed your card a long time ago.
Why is REAL ID compliance important?
Starting May 7, 2025, only REAL ID-compliant cards (or other federally approved documents like passports) will work for:
- Boarding any domestic flight in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Entering a federal facility that checks IDs, like federal courthouses.
- Going onto a military base, if identification is required.
If you only have a regular state-issued ID without the gold star, you will not be allowed through airport security or federal checkpoints after this date.
Note: This requirement affects everyone, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, international students, and temporary visitors.
What if my state-issued ID does not have a gold star?
If your ID does not have a gold star, it is not considered REAL ID compliant. Before May 7, 2025, you must either get a REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID or use another approved credential such as:
- An unexpired U.S. passport
- A passport card
- A DHS trusted traveler card
If you don’t upgrade or switch before this date, you may face problems at the airport or other federal facilities.
How do I upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant card?
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID or driver’s license before the deadline:
- Gather required documents:
- Proof of identity (such as a valid, unexpired passport or birth certificate)
- Proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax document)
- Two proofs of your current residential address (such as utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements)
- Proof of any name changes (if applicable, such as marriage certificates)
- Visit your state’s driver’s license agency:
- You usually must go in person; online renewals for REAL ID are rare because documents must be checked by staff.
- Submit your documents and get a new photo taken.
-
Pay any fees (fees depend on your state).
-
Receive your new REAL ID card, which will display the gold star in the top right corner.
For step-by-step details and a list of accepted documents, check your state’s official DMV website or visit the U.S. government’s reference page.
Does this process change for non-citizens or immigrants?
Most states have the same rules for immigrants and non-citizen residents as for U.S. citizens. If you are a lawful permanent resident, a visa holder, or even a refugee, you must also bring original documents to prove your status.
- Green card holders should bring their green card.
- Visa holders can bring their unexpired visa and supporting papers.
- Non-citizen students should bring their current immigration documents and proof of status.
If you do not have the right paperwork, your new card may not have the gold star, and you won’t be able to use it for federal identification in 2025 and beyond.
Can I keep my current (non-compliant) card?
You can use a regular state-issued ID for many local uses, like driving, age checks, and banking tasks. But, starting from May 7, 2025, it will not work for:
- Boarding any U.S. domestic flight
- Entering federal buildings that check for ID
- Accessing military bases requiring ID
So if you plan on flying or need to visit federal offices, you will need a REAL ID or another approved federal ID.
What about children and minors?
Children and minors under 18 years old do not need identification to fly on domestic flights if they are traveling with an adult who has the proper ID. However, rules can vary for certain facilities or in special cases, so check with your airline or the facility you plan to visit.
Do I need a REAL ID if I have a passport?
No, a REAL ID is not required if you hold a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or another federally accepted travel document. These credentials can still be used for identification at TSA checkpoints, in federal buildings, and on military bases. However, having a REAL ID-compliant license can make life easier if you do not want to carry your passport all the time.
Can foreign nationals get a REAL ID?
Many foreign nationals living lawfully in the United States 🇺🇸, such as work visa holders, green card holders, and some international students, may be eligible for a REAL ID-compliant card. Each state has specific rules and required documents, so check your state licensing office’s website for exact details.
- You must prove your legal presence in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Some states may have longer wait times while verifying your immigration status.
- Undocumented immigrants cannot get REAL ID cards in most states; they may be issued standard driver’s licenses instead, which are not valid for federal identification.
How do I know when my state started issuing REAL ID cards?
States began issuing REAL ID-compliant credentials on different dates:
- Florida 🇺🇸: After January 1, 2010
- Georgia 🇺🇸: Since 2012
- Colorado 🇺🇸: Since 2012
- Many other states updated their card systems from 2010 to 2014
If you got your current card before your state changed to the new format, it most likely is not compliant. Always check the card for the gold star, even if issued recently.
Do all airports and federal buildings follow these rules?
Yes, all U.S. airports with government TSA security and all federal buildings that require identification will strictly follow these rules. Without a REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID or other accepted document, you will not be allowed through the checkpoint.
Can I use a military ID or another document instead?
Yes, you can use:
- U.S. military ID (for military personnel)
- U.S. passport (book or card)
- DHS trusted traveler cards (like Global Entry)
But standard, non-compliant state-issued IDs or licenses without the gold star will not be accepted.
Are there any extra fees for getting a REAL ID?
Fees depend on the state. For many states, the fee is the same as for a standard license renewal. Some states may charge a small extra amount. To find out your state’s fees, check your state’s official DMV or licensing office website.
What happens to my driver’s license if I do not get a REAL ID?
Your regular state-issued ID or license will still work for driving and other local uses. But, you will not be able to use it for airport security, entering federal buildings, or accessing military bases after May 7, 2025, unless you show another approved ID, like a passport.
How can I find out more or get help?
If you need more information about getting your REAL ID-compliant card, you should:
- Visit your state’s driver license agency’s website (such as Florida’s REAL ID page).
- Read the U.S. government’s official REAL ID FAQ.
- Ask at your local DMV office.
Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that waiting until the last month before the new rules take effect may lead to long lines and slower processing for new REAL ID cards. Try to apply early to avoid problems or delays.
Key Takeaways
- Look for the gold star in the upper right corner of your state-issued ID to see if it’s REAL ID-compliant.
- Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID-compliant document (marked by the gold star) or another federal ID to board domestic flights, enter federal buildings, or access military bases.
- If in doubt, check with your local DMV or state licensing office online or in person.
- Gather all necessary documents before you visit the DMV to speed up your application process.
For more official and updated details on the REAL ID program, always consult the U.S. government’s REAL ID page.
If you need further help, your state’s driver licensing agency is the best source for guidance about which documents to bring and how to get your REAL ID-compliant state-issued ID.
Learn Today
REAL ID → A federally standardized state ID or driver’s license required for domestic flights and federal facility access in the U.S. after May 2025.
Gold Star → A golden symbol in the upper right corner of an ID card showing it meets REAL ID federal compliance standards.
State-Issued ID → Official identification cards or driver’s licenses provided by individual U.S. state governments to residents.
DHS Trusted Traveler Card → Cards like Global Entry that are approved by the Department of Homeland Security for expedited and secure travel identity.
Proof of Legal Presence → Documentation (e.g., green card, visa, or I-94) proving lawful immigration status in the United States when applying for REAL ID.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting May 7, 2025, you’ll need a REAL ID-compliant state ID or another federal ID to board domestic U.S. flights and access federal buildings. Check your card for a gold star. Visit your DMV with the required documents early, as wait times may increase before the deadline.
— By VisaVerge.com
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