Real ID is required to fly starting May 7. What you need to get one in Arizona
After years of delays, full enforcement Real ID is finally happening.
Air travelers have less than two months to update their driver's licenses in time for new travel regulations to take effect.
When enforcement of the federal Real ID Act begins on May 7, 2025, only IDs that meet strict requirements will be acceptable to go through airport security and board aircraft. The Arizona Travel ID is Arizona's Real ID-compliant identification.
New information shared by the Arizona Department of Transportation showed close to 2.6 million Arizonans have the Arizona Travel ID, up from 1.9 million in March 2023 and 2.2 million in March 2024.
Here are the requirements and deadline to get a Real ID in Arizona, plus other documents that qualify as a Real ID.
A Real ID is a form of identification that passes strict federal security requirements. It was created after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Congress set the standards for Real ID in the Real ID Act of 2005.
Once the Real ID requirements take effect, only a Real ID-compliant form of identification will be acceptable to go through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints, board aircraft or enter federal buildings.
Real ID requirements take effect on May 7, 2025.
Arizona Travel IDs are distinguishable from standard drivers licenses by a gold or black star on the upper right corner. If your driver's license has a gold or black star, it's a Real ID.
At least 1.4 million Arizonans have active drivers licenses that were issued before the Arizona Travel ID was introduced, according to ADOT spokesman William Lamoreaux.
Nationally, just under 50% of all Americans still need Real ID, according to the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA. About 33% of active Arizona driver's licenses are Arizona Travel IDs, Lamoreaux said.
To get a Real ID in Arizona, ADOT requires one primary 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.
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You can apply for an Arizona Travel ID at AZMVDNow.gov, but 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.
The Arizona Department of Transportation lists 45 MVD offices and 58 third-party drivers license locations throughout the state where you can complete your Real ID application.
Make appointments online at AZMVDNow.gov.
The Arizona Travel ID costs $25.
Yes, you can get a Real ID after May 7. You just won't be able to use your noncompliant driver's license to pass airport security.
If you don't have an Arizona Travel ID, these documents can be used instead of a Real ID, according to the TSA:
U.S. passport.
U.S. passport card.
DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
Permanent resident card.
Border crossing card.
State-issued enhanced driver's license.
An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe.
HSPD-12 PIV card.
Foreign government-issued passport.
Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
Transportation worker identification credential.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
U.S. Merchant Mariner credential.
Veteran Health Identification Card.
Yes. You can use a passport book or passport card in place of a Real ID.
Be aware that a passport card, smaller and cheaper than the passport book and valid for land and sea crossings in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and parts of the Caribbean, cannot be used to board international flights.
Yes. A U.S. Department of Defense ID or a Veteran Health Identification Card can be used as a Real ID.
As of April 1, the Real ID deadline remains scheduled for May 7, 2025.
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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.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When is the Real ID deadline? What you need to get one
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