# REAL ID Explained: What You Need to Fly in the US URL: https://emptvl.vercel.app/travel-guides/real-id-explained Publisher: Empyrean Travel (https://emptvl.vercel.app/) Last reviewed: 2026-10-19 REAL ID explained: since May 7, 2025 you need a compliant license or other accepted ID to fly domestically. See what qualifies and what happens without one. **Quick answer:** Since May 7, 2025, adults need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another TSA-accepted ID, such as a US passport, passport card, or Global Entry card, to board domestic flights. REAL IDs usually show a star marking. As of 2026, travelers without acceptable ID can pay a $45 fee for TSA ConfirmID identity verification, but should expect delays. - Enforcement began: May 7, 2025 - How to spot it: A star marking, usually top corner - Alternatives: US passport, passport card, Global Entry card - No acceptable ID: $45 TSA ConfirmID fee (as of 2026) - Children under 18: TSA doesn’t require ID on domestic flights ## What is REAL ID? REAL ID is a set of federal security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and ID cards, created by the REAL ID Act of 2005. Licenses that meet the standard are issued only after a state verifies your identity documents in person. Since enforcement began on May 7, 2025, you need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable ID to pass TSA security for domestic flights and to enter certain federal facilities. ## How do you know if your license is REAL ID-compliant? Look for a star marking, usually in the upper portion of the card. Its design varies by state; California’s REAL ID shows a star on a bear. If your card says “Federal Limits Apply” or similar, it isn’t compliant. State-issued Enhanced Driver’s Licenses, available in a handful of states, are also accepted at TSA checkpoints even though they may not carry the star. ## What other IDs can you use at TSA checkpoints? You don’t need a REAL ID license if you carry another acceptable document. TSA’s full list is on its website and can change, but common options include the following. - US passport or US passport card - DHS trusted traveler cards: Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST - US Department of Defense ID, including IDs for dependents - Permanent resident card - State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License - Mobile driver’s licenses from approved states, at participating checkpoints ## What happens if you arrive without acceptable ID? Starting February 1, 2026, travelers without acceptable ID can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, an alternative identity-verification process. Approval isn’t guaranteed, and the process takes extra time, so you risk missing your flight. The simple fix: if your license isn’t compliant, carry your passport or passport card when you fly. Our passport renewal guide helps if yours has expired. ## How do you get a REAL ID? Apply in person at your state’s driver licensing agency. You’ll generally need proof of identity, such as a passport or birth certificate, proof of your Social Security number, and two proofs of residential address. Bring name-change documents if your current name differs from your birth certificate. Many states, including California, let you start the application online before your appointment. Check your state agency’s website for its document list. ## Frequently asked questions **Q: Do I need a REAL ID to fly internationally?** A: No. For international flights, you need a valid passport, which is also an acceptable ID at TSA checkpoints. REAL ID matters for domestic flights and certain federal facilities. If you already carry your passport for an international trip that includes a domestic connection, you don’t need a REAL ID license as well. **Q: Do children need a REAL ID to fly?** A: No. TSA doesn’t require children under 18 to show identification when traveling within the United States. Airlines may have their own rules, especially for unaccompanied minors, so check with your carrier. Teens who are old enough to have a driver’s license may still find it useful to carry an acceptable ID. **Q: Can I use my passport instead of a REAL ID?** A: Yes. A valid US passport or passport card is an acceptable ID at TSA checkpoints for domestic flights. Many travelers who haven’t upgraded their license simply carry a passport card, which fits in a wallet. A Global Entry card and other DHS trusted traveler cards are also accepted. **Q: What is TSA ConfirmID?** A: TSA ConfirmID is an alternative identity-verification process for travelers who arrive at a checkpoint without a REAL ID or other acceptable ID. Starting February 1, 2026, it costs $45. Verification isn’t guaranteed and can take time, so it’s a fallback rather than a plan. Carrying a passport or REAL ID avoids the fee entirely. **Q: Is a Global Entry card accepted instead of REAL ID?** A: Yes. Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST cards are all on TSA’s list of acceptable IDs for domestic flights. If you’re a Global Entry member, request your physical card if you haven’t already. It’s a convenient backup ID and also includes your Known Traveler Number for TSA PreCheck. ## Sources - [TSA: REAL ID](https://www.tsa.gov/real-id) - [TSA: Acceptable identification](https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification) - [DHS: REAL ID](https://www.dhs.gov/real-id)