When is Real ID deadline? What to know in Michigan
Michigan travelers must obtain a "Real ID" to fly or access federal sites in the U.S. this spring, with the deadline fast approaching.
Real ID compliance is part of a larger act passed by Congress in 2005 to set 'minimum security standards' for the distribution of identification materials, including driver's licenses, USA TODAY reported. The law means certain federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security, won't be allowed to accept state-issued forms of identification that don't include a Real ID seal.
U.S. residents have until May to update their driver's license or state ID card to be compliant. In Michigan, 73% of driver's license or ID holders have already upgraded to Real ID as of March 21, according to the Michigan Department of State.
'Michigan is well above the national average in compliance with the REAL ID standard. If your license or ID has the star, you are REAL ID ready,' said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a news release. 'We want to ensure Michiganders are aware of the approaching deadline and can take the steps needed to avoid possible inconvenience and delays. The Michigan Department of State is ready and available to help Michigan residents easily convert their driver's license to a REAL ID ahead of this deadline.'
Here's what to know about the Real ID deadline and how you can ensure you can travel or enter federal buildings.
The deadline to have a Real ID-compliant identification is May 7, 2025.
Real ID is a driver's license or state ID card that is federally approved for travel security.
Real ID will be required for domestic flights and access to federal facilities, military bases and nuclear power plants.
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The law does not require individuals to present identification where it is not currently required to access a federal facility (such as to enter the public areas of the Smithsonian) nor does it prohibit an agency from accepting other forms of identity documents (such as a U.S. passport or passport card).
All state-issued identification will be accepted when voters are asked to show valid ID when voting. Regardless of whether a voter has a standard, enhanced or Real ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, the voter's card will be accepted as valid identification. Voters who do not have valid state-issued identification or another accepted identity document may sign an Affidavit of Identity, the Michigan Secretary of State said.
No, a Real ID will not be required for jury duty, even if it's in a federal building, the Michigan Secretary of State said.
No. TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need acceptable identification.
No. Real ID cards cannot be used for border crossings into Canada, Mexico or other international travel.
If you are traveling internationally you will still need your passport.
If you are a lawfully present non-U.S. citizen, including permanent and nonpermanent residents, you are eligible to apply for a Real ID driver's license or ID card or turn your current Michigan driver's license or state ID into a Real ID, the Secretary of State said.
No. Real ID is a national set of standards, the Department of Homeland Security said, not a national identification card. Real ID does not create a federal database of driver's license information. Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own licenses, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances.
Michigan's Real ID recently got a redesign, though the old version remains valid.
Initially, Real ID-compliant Michigan driver's licenses or state ID cards had an image of the Mackinac Bridge and a star in a gold circle in the upper right-hand corner. Under the new design, the upper right-hand corner of IDs feature a star in a gold map of the state of Michigan.
The old design will be valid until the ID expires, with the state phasing the old design out by January 2029, according to the Michigan Secretary of State. All new IDs will be issued with the new Real ID-compliant design.
If your ID is missing the star in the upper right-hand corner, it is not Real ID compliant and you'll need to update your identification in order to fly or access certain buildings. The license remains valid for driving in the U.S.
You can update your ID by visiting your local Michigan Secretary of State branch office. You'll need to bring the following documents:
Your current Michigan driver's license or ID.
A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document.
A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.
The Michigan Department of State offers the option to renew driver's licenses or state IDs by mail for those eligible.
A Real ID will take weeks to arrive via mail, the Michigan Department of State says.
If you're looking to renew your U.S. passport via mail, expect the process to take four to six weeks, the U.S. Department of State said, including multiple mailings, the number depending on the type of documentation requested.
To update your driver's license or state ID card to Real ID while renewing or replacing your driver's license or state ID, there's no additional cost, the Secretary of State's Office said.
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If you choose to update your driver's license or state ID card to Real ID outside of your renewal or replacement, there is a $9 fee for a driver's license and a $10 fee for a state ID card, the Secretary of State's Office said.
If you don't have a Real ID-compliant driver's license or state ID, you can carry other documents, including a U.S. passport or passport card.
A full list of TSA acceptable documents is available online.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How to update your license ahead of Real ID deadline in Michigan
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