Be Ready for REAL ID

As of May 7^th, 2025, all adult air travelers are required to have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to fly within the United States. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this new requirement. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Rep. Larson’s office at 860-278-8888.

More information on REAL ID requirements is also available from the Department of Homeland Security HERE.

What is REAL ID?

Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, outlining the security requirements identification cards must meet for a resident to access certain federal government facilities or board an airline flight in the United States. These REAL ID requirements are fully in effect as of May 7^th, 2025.

What forms of ID will be accepted?

The following forms of identification will be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to board a flight. A full list of acceptable IDs is available at the TSA website.

Expired IDs are accepted by TSA for up to two years after the expiration date.

REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or state photo identity card

U.S. passport or passport card

Traveler cards issued by the Department of Homeland Security, including Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST

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

Permanent resident card

Border crossing card

Photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation

HSPD-12 PIV Card

Foreign government-issued passport

Canadian driver’s license

Transportation worker identification credential

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

U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Are minors required to have a REAL ID?

No, children under the age of 18 do not need to provide identification when traveling within the United States.

Will I be able to travel without a REAL ID?

It depends. Beginning February 1st, 2026, U.S. air travelers age 18 and older who do not have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification will be required to pay a $45 fee to verify their identity through TSA’s new alternate identity verification option called ConfirmID. If approved, ConfirmID allows travel for a 10-day period, but the process takes additional time. Payment does not guarantee travel, and passengers whose identities cannot be verified will be turned away at airport security. More information about the TSA ConfirmID program fee is available HERE.

Can immigrants obtain REAL IDs?

Yes, immigrants with the following statuses can obtain REAL IDs:

Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

Lawfully admitted for temporary residence

Conditional permanent resident status

Approved asylum applicants

Refugees

Permanent resident cards, foreign-issued passports, and USCIS Employment Authorization Cards are all REAL ID-compliant.

Are temporary paper IDs compliant?

Temporary Paper IDs will only be accepted if presented with an expired driver’s license or another state-issued ID.