Which States Issue REAL ID: Full Guide for 2025 Travelers

If you're holding a driver's license in the U.S. and planning to fly domestically next year, there's a date probably burned into your brain: May 7, 2025. That's the day TSA agents will put the hammer down—no more boarding domestic flights or entering federal facilities with a regular old license. Your ID needs that gold star, signaling it's a federally approved REAL ID. Sounds simple, right? Well, if you've ever tangled with government paperwork, you know nothing is ever that easy. Some states are ahead of the curve, handing out REAL IDs like Halloween candy. Others made it tricky (looking at you, Oregon and Oklahoma in the early days) or have unusual rules buried deep in some bureaucratic memo. You don't want to be the person stuck calling their spouse from the airport, passport in hand, because your ID was missing a tiny star. Solid info, zero drama—here's everything you need to know about REAL ID and which states have it covered.

REAL ID: What Is It and Why Should You Care?

Forget the hype—REAL ID isn't a brand new "national ID card," nor does it let Uncle Sam track your every Starbucks order. It's basically an extra-secure driver's license or state ID, designed so the feds can trust it's actually you. Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 after 9/11, aiming for higher security at airports and federal agencies. All states had to up their game on ID security: think holograms, sturdy plastic, extra documentation. The big difference? After May 2025, any regular old state license won't work for flying within the country, unless it's a REAL ID.

Why care? Besides getting home for Thanksgiving (or that Vegas guys' trip), some federal buildings and nuclear plants will turn you away unless you show a REAL ID, military ID, or passport. The only other way around? Schlep your passport everywhere, which is like carrying your Social Security card in your sock—technically possible, kind of crazy. So, if you've ever needed an excuse for a new photo at the DMV, this is it.

REAL ID doesn’t mean you’re in a government database, by the way. The states still issue licenses, hold your info, and run things as usual. The gold star—or occasionally, a bear or other state symbol—just tells the Feds this license meets higher standards.

Important timeline tip: The deadline for REAL ID enforcement has changed a few times already. It was pushed back because of, you guessed it, the pandemic. Now it’s solidly set for May 7, 2025. After that, TSA agents won’t accept non-compliant licenses for domestic flights. If you’re not sure yours is REAL ID compliant, check the upper right-hand corner of your license for a gold or black star. No star? Time for a DMV visit.

Which States and Territories Have REAL ID?

Short answer: every single U.S. state and territory now issues REAL ID compliant licenses and identification cards. Yes, even the ones that resisted at first (cough, New York, Louisiana, and New Hampshire). As of July 8, 2025, the whole map is green. That means you can go into a DMV in California, Florida, Utah, Guam—you name it—and apply for a REAL ID.

Some technicalities pop up if you live in Washington, D.C., American Samoa, or other territories, but the law covers them, too. Just make sure you ask for a REAL ID when you renew your license or order a duplicate.

Check out this handy table of all states, showing their REAL ID status and when they went live. (For the truly curious—Oregon and Oklahoma were dead last, hopping on board in late 2020 and mid-2021, respectively.)

*Washington issues an Enhanced Driver's License instead, which also works for REAL ID purposes within the U.S.

One interesting quirk: Some states, like Washington and Michigan, issue something called an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). These meet REAL ID rules and even let you cross into Canada or Mexico by land or sea (not air, though). Handy for border folks, not so much for flying to Phoenix.

How Do You Get a REAL ID?

The REAL ID process is, shall we say, not always smooth sailing. People love to swap stories about the lines, the missing birth certificates, the scramble for "proof of address". But it’s better to handle it now before the 2025 rush. Here’s the real deal:

• First, check your current ID for the star symbol. Don’t have one? Next stop: local DMV website.
• Most DMVs let you start your application online to save time, but the final steps will happen in person. That’s because you have to hand over original documents—not copies, not faxes, not a photo on your phone.
• What do you need? Here’s the checklist most states use:
  • Proof of identity (certified U.S. birth certificate, valid passport, or legal immigration documents)
  • Your full Social Security number (card, tax document, or pay stub with SSN)
  • Proof of residency—usually two documents showing your physical address, like a utility bill or lease
  • Name change docs if your name doesn’t match your birth cert (marriage certificate, court order, divorce decree, etc.)
• Photocopies and digital scans don’t work. Bring the real stuff. DMVs have been turning people away for "almost right" documents.
• Fees vary by state but count on paying at least $20–$50 for a new license or upgrade. Check before you go.
• The DMV will scan your documents, take a fresh photo, and issue a paper temporary ID on the spot. The REAL ID card itself comes by mail a few weeks later.

Tip: Some states offer appointments, which can save you hours—particularly in big cities. My wife, Miranda, made us appointments for a Tuesday afternoon. We breezed through while the walk-ins waited so long that some gave up and left.

If you’re renewing your license soon anyway, it’s smart to check the REAL ID box at the same time. Heads-up: you still get a regular license if you don’t specifically request a REAL ID. Ask at the counter every time.

REAL ID Myths and Mistakes That Catch People Off Guard

REAL ID rules got distorted faster than middle school gossip. No, you don’t lose your old license for not having one. No, it’s not a microchip for tracking. And no, TSA doesn’t care where you live—just what’s in your hand.

Misconceptions that trip up travelers:

• Believing all licenses are REAL ID. Many states still issue both regular and REAL ID licenses. The regular one looks almost identical, minus the star. If you got your license before 2016, odds are it's NOT compliant.
• Forgetting you need original documents. Even seasoned travelers walk in with photocopies and get turned away. Originals mean certified birth certificates, actual Social Security cards—not just the number written down.
• Assuming you won't need a REAL ID because you have TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck is great, but it doesn’t let you slide with a non-compliant license. They’ll still ask for the star (or a passport).
• Thinking Enhanced IDs are a shortcut everywhere. Enhanced Licenses work for some stuff, but not all airports or federal sites recognize them, especially in states where EDL wasn’t widely rolled out. Always double-check your state’s FAQ.
• Traveling with kids? Minors under 18 don’t actually need a REAL ID for domestic flights—if flying with an adult who has compliant ID. But teens heading to college should still consider getting one for access to campus jobs or federal buildings.

The best way to dodge drama? Get every document in order before you set foot in the DMV, and check twice for your name. If you have a recent name change (like after marriage or divorce), the paperwork can become a wild ride really fast.

Sneaky pro move: If you have multiple residences, like students or snowbirds, bring proof for both. Some DMVs accept lease agreements or utility bills, others don’t. The official state website usually lists what counts—but even then, clerks sometimes interpret rules differently. Make extra copies, or digitize things in your phone just in case you need to flash an example.

Can You Travel Without a REAL ID? Exceptions and Alternatives

All this talk of deadlines and requirements might make you sweat, but there are still valid ways around REAL ID (for now). If you don’t have one, here are your options for getting through airport security or into a federal building:

• A valid U.S. passport (book or card)
• DHS Trusted Traveler cards like Global Entry or NEXUS
• U.S. military ID, tribal-issued photo ID, or Merchant Mariner card
• Permanent Resident (Green) Card or Employment Authorization Document

If you travel internationally, your passport is king. For domestic hops, though, it’s just less convenient to juggle. Some folks keep a passport card in their wallet just for this purpose, since it’s tougher to lose than the big blue book. But with the 2025 deadline looming, most people will just get the REAL ID for peace of mind.

What about road trips or going to the doctor's office? No new rules there—your regular license works fine. REAL ID is only for entering federal facilities or boarding planes. It won’t affect driving, banking, buying alcohol, or voting. Don’t let the rumors fool you.

One odd tip: Some states, like California, issue special "federal limits apply" licenses to undocumented immigrants. These won’t get you on a plane, but they’re still totally fine for day-to-day life. Always check what specific type of license you’re carrying so you can avoid a TSA headache at 6 a.m. when it matters most.

Time to check your wallet. Is there a shiny star in the top corner of your license? If yes, you’re good to go. If not, it’s time to schedule that DMV visit—or get used to carrying your passport for every trip. Life’s a lot smoother with just one card that works everywhere.