DHS won't accept a REAL ID in lieu of a passport

With over 45 million travelers screened by the Transportation Security Administration this holiday season, many may have learned firsthand what a REAL ID is and isn't.

Passed by Congress in 2005 and not enforced until May 7, 2025, the REAL ID Act required individuals over 18 to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state-issued identification card to pass through TSA checkpoints, access certain facilities, and generally have their identity verified.

"REAL ID establishes security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits federal agencies from accepting certain official purposes noncompliant driver’s licenses and identification cards," the Department of Homeland Security told USA TODAY in a statement. "Secure driver's licenses and identification documents are a vital component of our national security framework, as they prevent fraud, terrorism, and create more effective security standards."

Older ID cards and driver's licenses without a REAL ID-compliant marking – identified by a gold or black star (or bear in states like California) in the top portion of the card – are no longer accepted by federal agencies. However, certain alternative forms of identification, such as a passport or DHS Trusted Traveler cards, are also REAL-ID compliant.

REAL ID-compliant cards have been required for less than a year. Many people may find it confusing to understand how these cards differ from accepted alternatives. Remember, these cards cannot be used interchangeably.

Here's what to know about REAL ID.

Can I fly without a REAL ID and use my passport instead?

Yes, a valid U.S. or foreign government-issued passport is an acceptable form of identification to board your flight.

Here are other alternative types of ID valid at airports, according to TSA:

• State-issued Enhanced Driver's License or Enhanced ID
• U.S. passport card
• Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards, like Global Entry
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including those issued to dependents
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

If you arrive at the airport without any of these forms of identification, you may be subject to additional screening to board the flight and, starting Feb. 1, pay a $45 fee.

Can REAL ID be used to verify legal status?

No. While REAL ID can verify identity, it does not establish legal status like a passport. Non-citizens must carry immigration documents as required by the Immigration and Nationality Act. "REAL IDs are not immigration documents – they make identification harder to forge, thwarting criminals and terrorists," DHS said.