Real ID deadline: Here's what happens if you don't get one by May 7
The Real ID deadline won't be delayed again.
Real ID enforcement will begin May 7, 2025, almost exactly 20 years after Congress first passed the Real ID Act that set higher standards for state-issued identification documents.
Patricia Mancha, spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration, told The Arizona Republic on April 10 that her understanding is the federal government will not change the deadline again.
People who plan to fly after May 7 should make sure they have a Real ID when they go to the airport because those who don't will face increased scrutiny at security and might not be able to board, she said.
Yes. Travelers must have a Real ID for flights on or after May 7, 2025.
The Arizona Real ID — also called the Arizona Travel ID — has a gold or black star in the top right corner.
"I want to recommend to everyone that you get that magic star on your Arizona driver's license as soon as possible," Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said.
She was at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on April 10 with Mancha and Arizona Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Lamoreaux to urge Arizonans to get their Real IDs now.
To get a Real ID in Arizona, ADOT requires one document for proof of birth, two documents for proof of address and a Social Security number.
Acceptable documents for proof of birth include:
Certified birth certificate.
U.S. certificate of birth abroad.
U.S. passport or passport card.
Permanent resident card or resident alien card.
Unexpired USCIS employment authorization document.
I-94 form with an unexpired foreign passport and unexpired U.S. visa.
U.S. certificate of naturalization.
U.S. certificate of citizenship.
Acceptable documents for proof of address must be issued from a business, organization or government agency and include your name and residential address. Documents must be in print. These include:
Utility bills.
Credit card or bank statements.
Insurance policies.
Appointments are not required for an Arizona Travel ID, but walk-ins have average waits of about 15 minutes, Lamoreaux said.
People can make appointments at an MVD office or approved third-party office online at AZMVDNow.gov. During the office visit, they'll bring their identification and review their application with a representative.
Yes, though it doesn't have to be a state-issued ID.
There's a long list of acceptable Real ID credentials that will work for flights within the U.S. if people's state-issued driver's licenses aren't compliant, Mancha said.
These include passport books and cards, military IDs, tribal nation and Indian tribe IDs, and trusted traveler cards for U.S. Department of Homeland Security programs such as Global rEntry.
Remember that a state-issued ID, even a Real ID, cannot be used instead of a passport for international travel, Mancha said.
After the May 7 deadline, people without a Real ID will face additional scrutiny at the airport, Mancha said.
TSA screeners will ask questions to validate the person's identity and inspect their luggage, she said. If screeners can't verify a person's identity, there's no guarantee they will be able to fly.
Passengers without a Real ID who are subject to additional screening will be brought aside so it won't disrupt the flow of lines at checkpoints, Mancha said.
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You can get a Real ID after May 7.
You can start your application for an Arizona Travel ID at AZMVDNow.gov. Finishing the process requires an in-person visit.
After applying for the Travel ID, Arizonans can then schedule an appointment at one of ADOT's MVD offices or one of the agency's approved third-party offices. During this visit, they'll bring their identification and review their application with a representative.
It takes about two weeks after an appointment for an Arizona Travel ID to arrive in the mail, according to ADOT. However, Lamoreaux recommends allowing at least three weeks to make sure it arrives in plenty of time.
Lamoreaux noticed a sense of urgency among Arizonans getting licenses at MVD offices. In recent weeks, about 75% of Arizonans getting licenses chose the Arizona Travel ID instead of the standard credential that is not Real ID-compliant.
Yes. TSA PreCheck is not a substitute for Real ID.
Yes. Global Entry is among the documents that counts as a Real ID.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who's covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic's consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Real ID: What happens if you don't get one by May 7 deadline
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