REAL ID requirements: what you need to fly in 2026

REAL ID enforcement has been active since May 7, 2025. Every air traveler 18 and older must now show a star-marked state ID, a U.S. passport, or another TSA-accepted document to pass airport security for a domestic flight. A standard driver's license without the star is no longer accepted. Here is exactly what to verify, what to bring to the DMV, and which alternatives are accepted if you do not yet have a REAL ID.

REAL ID enforcement is now in effect — here is what changed on May 7, 2025

Since May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant state ID, a U.S. passport, or another TSA-accepted document to pass airport security for domestic flights. Standard state-issued driver's licenses that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted at TSA checkpoints.

The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 following 9/11 Commission recommendations to establish minimum security standards for state-issued ID. Enforcement was delayed multiple times — most recently due to COVID-19 — before taking effect in 2025. All 50 states and U.S. territories are now REAL ID-compliant at the issuing level, meaning every state DMV can issue a compliant card.

• Enforcement date: May 7, 2025 — no further extensions are planned
• Applies to domestic air travel and access to federal facilities and military bases
• All 50 states and U.S. territories are now REAL ID-compliant at the issuing level
• Individual travelers may still hold older non-compliant cards if they have not yet renewed

How to tell if your driver's license is REAL ID-compliant: look for the star

A REAL ID-compliant license or state ID card displays a star symbol in the upper-right cornerof the card. The star may be gold, black, or another color depending on the state, but it is always in the upper-right corner. If your license says “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES,” “NOT FOR FEDERAL USE,” or similar language in the upper-right corner, it is not compliant and cannot be used alone at a TSA checkpoint.

You do not need to replace your license immediately if you have an acceptable alternative such as a U.S. passport, but you will need either a REAL ID or an alternative every time you fly domestically.

• Star in upper-right corner = REAL ID compliant
• “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” in upper-right = not compliant
• A temporary driver's license is NOT accepted by TSA even if your underlying record is compliant
• Missouri REAL ID cards issued since March 25, 2019carry the star and are fully accepted; non-compliant Missouri cards say “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES”

What documents you need to get a REAL ID at your state DMV

To upgrade to a REAL ID at your state DMV, you must appear in person with original documents — photocopies are not accepted. The federal minimum document set is the same in every state: one proof of identity, one proof of lawful U.S. status, one proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of your current state address. If your current legal name differs from your identity document (due to marriage or court order), you must also bring a certified name-change document.

• Proof of identity: U.S. passport, U.S. passport card, or certified birth certificate (hospital-issued copies are not accepted)
• Proof of SSN: original Social Security card, W-2, or SSA-issued document showing full SSN
• Two proofs of address: utility bill, bank statement, mortgage statement, or lease — all must show your current state address
• Proof of lawful status: for U.S. citizens this is typically the same birth certificate or passport used for identity; for non-citizens, an unexpired Permanent Resident Card or EAD
• Allow 10–15 days for processing and mailing after your DMV visit

Accepted alternatives to REAL ID for domestic flights — full TSA list

A REAL ID-compliant license is one option, not the only one. TSA accepts more than a dozen document types at the checkpoint. U.S. citizens who travel internationally and already carry a passport are fully covered without ever getting a REAL ID. Trusted traveler program cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) are accepted, making them a dual-purpose option for frequent flyers. As of 2026, TSA is also piloting digital IDs (Apple Digital ID, Google ID pass, Clear ID) at select airports in participating states.

Source: tsa.gov accepted identification. Spirit Airlines is not listed — it ceased operations in May 2026.

If you use Global Entry or are considering it, see PreCheck vs. CLEAR vs. Global Entry — the trusted traveler card doubles as TSA-accepted ID at the checkpoint.

State-specific notes: Enhanced Driver's Licenses and Missouri

Five states offer Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) that are accepted by TSA and also allow land and sea border crossings into Canada and Mexico: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. EDLs are accepted exactly like REAL IDs at TSA checkpoints.

For Missouri residents specifically: Missouri has been a fully REAL ID-compliant state since April 2019, and REAL ID cards (with star) have been available since March 25, 2019. If your Missouri license still says “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES,” you must use a passport or another TSA-accepted alternative until you visit a Missouri license office to upgrade — more than 170 locations across the state offer the upgrade at no extra cost beyond the standard renewal fee.

• EDL states (5): Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Washington
• Missouri REAL ID cards available at all 170+ license offices — state achieved DHS compliance April 2019
• Missouri upgrade: one-time waiver of duplicate transaction fee is available for residents upgrading an existing non-compliant card
• Kansas non-compliant cards say “NOT FOR FEDERAL USE” in the upper-right corner

What happens if you arrive at the airport without a valid ID

TSA will not automatically turn you away if you lack an accepted ID, but the process is significantly more inconvenient. TSA agents will attempt to verify your identity through alternative means, which may include additional questioning and enhanced screening. Starting February 1, 2026, TSA introduced TSA ConfirmID — a $45 paid identity-verification service available at the checkpoint when no acceptable ID is presented. TSA ConfirmID does not guarantee entry to the secure area; it initiates a verification process, after which you will still undergo enhanced screening. The safest approach is never to rely on this fallback for planned travel.

• TSA ConfirmID ($45) available at checkpoint since February 1, 2026 — for travelers presenting no valid ID
• ConfirmID is not a guaranteed pass — it initiates an identity-verification process followed by enhanced screening
• Lost or stolen ID: report to a TSA officer before reaching the checkpoint for best results
• Forgetting your ID at home is the most common reason travelers need this option — check before leaving for the airport

Special situations: children, non-citizens, and DACA recipients

Children under 18 are not required by TSA to present any identification when flying domestically — this rule is well-established and unchanged in 2026. For international flights, airlines and destination countries set their own ID requirements, so check with your carrier. Non-U.S. citizens may use a foreign government-issued passport at TSA checkpoints and do not need a REAL ID. DACA recipients who hold valid Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Social Security numbers are eligible to apply for temporary REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses in most states; these cards are marked “LIMITED TERM” but are fully TSA-accepted until their expiration date.

• Under 18: no TSA ID requirement for domestic flights; contact your airline for specific policies
• Non-citizens: foreign passport accepted at TSA — no REAL ID required
• DACA recipients: eligible for temporary REAL ID (marked LIMITED TERM) in most states with valid EAD and SSN
• Non-DACA undocumented individuals: some states issue non-compliant IDs clearly marked as not for federal use — these are not accepted at TSA

Information verified as of June 29, 2026. Sources: TSA accepted IDs, tsa.gov/realid, Missouri DOR REAL ID.