Flight Denied! Your travel plans are halted by New “REAL ID” Requirements
The REAL ID Act was passed way back in 2005, but it has taken years to implement.
And of course, through the pandemic, the states and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been moving the hard deadline for you to have the new ID’s, but those days are quickly coming to an end.
As of May 7, 2025 (just recently updated per TSA here), if you have any expectation of flying domestically, or being allowed access to federal buildings, federal courthouses, and military bases, you’ll need the upgraded, more secure ID from your state (or a US Passport or military ID).
So, What is the REAL ID?
The REAL ID was born out of the need to create IDs with additional security features after 9/11 for use on domestic flights, as well as to enter federal buildings and military bases.
The good news is…the REAL ID is optional for Pennsylvania residents. You will be able to get either a REAL ID driver’s license/identification card, or a standard driver’s license or identification card.
If you do NOT get a REAL ID, you must have an alternate form of federally acceptable identification (valid passport, military ID, etc.) to board a domestic commercial flight and enter certain federal facilities after May 7, 2025.
As far as your practical identification goes, AARP offers a clear definition of what to expect:
“Sometimes called the Star Card, because most states are marking their Real ID cards with a gold or black star in the top right corner, it must include an encoded “machine readable zone,” like a passport’s, with a person’s scannable information. Many state driver’s licenses already have this feature. The key thing that makes the card special is that the federal government requires you to provide certain identifying documentation to obtain one from your state.” (Read their full article here)
If you’d like specific steps for your state, check out the state requirement map directly from the Department of Homeland Security here. This will link you to your state-specific requirements.
If you’re curious about what documents you’ll need, or if you even need the REAL ID, check out the quick quiz on the DHS website here.
Be advised, evidence of state residence and your US citizenship (or legal US residency) will be required. And if your name has changed, you’ll need to be prepared with a paper trail.