The Real ID Deadline

The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 on a recommendation from the 9/11 Commission and sets minimum security standards for state-issued identification cards, including anti-counterfeiting technology and extra steps to verify that identification applicants are who they claim to be. However, The Department of Homeland Security has delayed the Real ID enforcement deadline by another year.

Currently, about 52 percent of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards comply with the Real ID standards. This number is expected to rise as states continue to adopt best practices and implement new regulations, such as the Real ID Modernization Act. The Real ID Deadline extension will allow states more time to ensure their residents are ready for the changes, DHS said in a news release. It also will give DHS and states time to implement innovations that will streamline the process.

What is the latest deadline for REAL ID?

The Department of Homeland Security cited lingering delays and backlogs from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as the reason for this latest delay. As a result, The latest deadline for REAL ID, a driver’s license or identification card required by federal law for some purposes like boarding flights and entering secure federal facilities, has been pushed back once again. This time, it’s been extended to May 7, 2025.

This will give states more time to implement the changes. It also gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) more time to address the lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted state motor vehicle departments and license renewals.

But NYS DMV Commissioner Mark Schroeder says it isn’t enough time for most New Yorkers to upgrade to a Real ID. “If you are not in the process of getting a Real ID, we encourage you to do so now,” Schroeder said.

Real ID driver’s licenses or identification cards display a star to show that they meet federal standards for identification. Enhanced IDs cost $30 extra and allow travelers to cross the border into Canada or Mexico by land or sea.

How to Apply for a Real ID?

The real id driver’s license is a new identification card that has been approved by the federal government to meet the standards of the Real ID Act. The card is similar to other driver’s licenses, but it has a star in the upper right corner to indicate that it meets the minimum security standards set by the Real ID Act.

Whether your state offers the real id or not, you’ll want to be sure that you have a compliant driver’s license or identification card before May 7, 2025. This will allow you to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal buildings or military bases without having to go through additional steps.

A real id-compliant driver’s license or identification card will have a gold circle with an inset star in the upper right-hand corner. It also has a statement at the bottom of the card that says, “Federal limits apply,”

To get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification, individuals must visit a local Department of Motor Vehicles office in person and bring certain documents to prove U.S. citizenship and state residency. These documents include one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, two proofs of state residency, and one proof of your Social Security number (if you’ve been issued one).