28-04-2025
REAL-ID will be required for West Virginia residents to board flights
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Residents of the Mountain State will soon need to have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to board flights starting in May 2025.
According to a press release, starting on May 7, 2025 residents of the Mountain State will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license if they want to board an airplane for a domestic flight.
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Anyone who does not have a driver's license that is REAL ID-compliant will need to have another form of approved identification, like a passport, to board flights and to enter military bases or secure federal facilities.
REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are marked with a gold star, which shows that the license meets federal regulations which show minimum security standards.
The press release stated that people can get a REAL ID-compliant license at their local DMV, and will need to have documents that prove West Virginia residency and U.S. citizenship. People looking to get a REAL ID can make the process quicker by using the WV DMVEZ app to upload documents, or they can go online to the DMV REAL ID HeadStart page.
If you do not have a REAL ID, please do not wait until the last minute as we do expect an influx of people trying to obtain that.
Everett Frazier | Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Documents that people will need to get a REAL ID includes one proof of identity (passport or U.S. birth certificate), proof of legal presence for non-U.S. citizens, two proofs of West Virginia residency, social security card (for those who have one), and a current driver's license for those applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state.
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According to the press release, after May 7, 2025, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at ticket document checking stations in airports will look for licenses that are REAL ID-compliant or other permitted forms of ID due to federal law (The REAL ID Act of 2005) that requires that a REAL ID is necessary for federal identification purposes.
Signs will be located at airports across the nation as a reminder that starting May 7, 2025, REAL ID-compliant licenses or other acceptable forms of ID, such as a valid passport, will be required for those traveling by air.
Additional information about how to get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card in the Mountain State can be found here.
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