your license is no longer valid for travel in the country
Are you ready for the way you travel to change? Starting in May 2025, your driver’s license may no longer be enough to board a plane within the United States. Yes, yes, you read that right. The government has implemented new rules that will change the way citizens identify themselves when traveling. What does this mean for you? You’ll need an updated document, called a Real ID, to comply with the new requirements and avoid surprises at the airport. Read on to learn what steps to take to make sure you’re prepared for this new era in travel security. It’s easier than it sounds!
What is the Real ID?
The Real ID is an upgraded version of the identification we use every day, such as a driver’s license. It was created to comply with much stricter security rules, established in 2005, with the goal of making travel and access to important places (airports and federal buildings) safer for everyone. Until now, you could board a plane within the United States with your regular driver’s license or a state ID, but starting in May, you’ll need a Real ID to travel on domestic flights.
The idea behind this change is to make sure travellers’ identities are verified more accurately, reducing risks and increasing security. While it may sound a bit cumbersome at first, it’s a change designed to better protect us.
Why is it mandatory and when?
Save the date, May 7, 2025 is a critical date for people who have not yet gone to issue their document. From that day on, it will be mandatory to show your document or another form of investigation that the TSA accepts. This means that driver’s licenses, as we know them now, will no longer be sufficient for domestic travel, and all users over 18 years old will have to make sure that their identification is updated before that day.
How do I know if I already have a Real ID?
Very easy, look at your card and look for a star in the upper right corner. If your document already has it, this means that it meets the requirements of the Real ID and that you do not need to do anything else, because this small detail is crucial to confirm that you are up to date.
And if I do not have it, how do I request it?
Well, it’s very easy, you will have to make an appointment at one of the DMV offices and bring one of the following documents with you so that your data can be verified.
- US passport (dated)
- Birth certificate (original or a copy, it doesn’t matter, the important thing is that it was issued by a US state office)
- Green card (valid)
- Foreign passport, with a valid US visa and an approved l-94 form (This is for those foreign residents without nationality)
- Certification of US citizenship
- US birth certificate
- Employment authorization document (EAD) or notice of action (l-797 C)
- Valid green card with notice of action (l-797)
- Foreign passport “processed for l-551”
- Certificate of birth abroad or consular report.
- Document verifying Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
It doesn’t matter what document you bring to the office because the important thing is that the document you present includes your full name, your date of birth and the place where you were born, because these are the important data to complete the application.
Can I get the license online?
As such, the first time you get it issued you cannot issue it online since the offices need to verify your identity, what you can do is request the appointment online.
Steps:
- Go to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website and complete the online application. When you finish, you will receive a confirmation code. Make sure to save it well because you will need it for your appointment at the DMV.
- Once this is done, gather all the necessary documents that we mentioned before and go to the DMV office. Don’t forget to bring your confirmation code, as it will be key to speeding up the process. With all your paperwork ready, all that’s left is to complete the last steps in person, and that’s it! You will have your Real ID without complications.
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