After May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration will require a REAL ID-compliant driver license, a US passport, or another federally accepted ID to board any domestic commercial flight or enter most federal buildings. If your license doesn't have a star in the upper corner, it isn't REAL ID-compliant — and you should plan to upgrade before you travel.
What REAL ID actually is
REAL ID is a federal standard for state-issued driver licenses, established by Congress after 9/11 to make IDs harder to forge. [Recommended driving resource] It does not create a federal database, and it does not replace your state license — your card still says "State of [Yours]" at the top. The only visible change is a small star icon in the upper corner indicating compliance.
How to know if your license is compliant
Look at the upper corner of your driver license. A REAL ID-compliant card has a gold or black star (some states use a star inside a circle or a star inside the state's outline). California's REAL ID has a gold bear with a star. Cards without any star icon are not compliant and will not be accepted at the airport after May 7, 2025.
What to bring to upgrade
The upgrade is generally free and happens at the regular renewal price, but you must present documents in person — no photocopies, no scans. Bring proof of identity (a US passport, certified birth certificate, or permanent-resident card), proof of your Social Security number (the card itself, a W-2, or a non-SSA 1099 with full SSN), and two proofs of residency in your state (a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or property-tax record).
Name changes
If your current name doesn't match the name on your birth certificate or passport — for example, after marriage — you'll also need to bring the official document that explains the change: a certified marriage certificate, a divorce decree showing the name change, or a court order. The chain must be complete from your birth-certificate name to your current name.
What if I have a passport already?
If you have a valid US passport or passport card, you don't strictly need to upgrade your license — the passport is itself an acceptable federal ID for domestic flights. But carrying a passport for every domestic flight is impractical for most people, which is why upgrading the license is usually the better move.
What if I miss the deadline?
If you arrive at the airport after May 7, 2025 with a non-compliant license and no other federal ID, TSA will likely deny you boarding. Renew your license to a REAL ID before any planned flight.