Transportation Security Administration to require Real ID-compliant identification starting May 7; travelers without approved ID risk being denied entry at airport security checkpoints

April 22, 2025 (Detroit Free Press (MI)) –

Starting May 7 , you need to carry identification that's Real ID compliant — a driver's license or state ID, or passport, that is federally approved for travel security — to avoid being turned away at the airport.

Don't have an approved ID? You risk TSA preventing you from traveling. At the very least, you will need to go through additional extensive questioning to ensure your identity is correct.

Real ID compliance is part of a larger act passed by Congress  in 2005 to set “minimum security standards” for the distribution of identification materials, including driver’s licenses according to reporting from USA Today .

The law forbids federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration or U.S. Department of Homeland Security , from accepting state-issued forms of identification that aren't Real ID compliant.

What happens if you don't have approved ID and are traveling? Here's what to know.

What happens if you get to TSA screening and don't have Real ID?

Without Real ID, you may be turned away and won’t be allowed past the security checkpoint to your gate or plane.

Without proper ID, the TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process that includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where you may be subject to additional screening.

You will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if you choose to not provide acceptable identification, you decline to cooperate with the identity verification process, or your identity cannot be confirmed.

More: When is deadline to get Real ID? When you need an upgraded license in Michigan

What are some Real ID alternatives?

TSA -approved Real ID alternatives include:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID , including IDs issued to dependents
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card ( I-766 )
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

When is the Real ID deadline?

The deadline to have a Real ID-compliant identification is May 7, 2025 .

How did Real ID come about?

Real ID compliance is part of a larger act passed by Congress in 2005 to set “minimum security standards” for the distribution of identification materials, including driver’s licenses, USA TODAY reported. The law means certain federal agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration or the Department of Homeland Security , won’t be allowed to accept state-issued forms of identification that don't include a Real ID seal.

How can you get Real ID in Michigan ?

You can update your ID by visiting your local  Michigan Secretary of State branch office. You'll need to bring the following documents, per the department:

• Your current Michigan driver's license or ID.
• A valid, unexpired U.S. passport, birth certificate, or other proof of legal presence document.
• A certified legal name-change document, if your name is different from what is on your birth certificate.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press : What happens if you don't have Real ID? Don't get turned away at airport security