TSA reports smooth operations at New York, New Jersey airports on first day of Real ID enforcement; Port Authority confirms no disruptions at JFK, Newark, LaGuardia on May 7

May 8, 2025 (The Record) –

The Real ID deadline for domestic flights finally arrived May 7 after years of delays and months of constant reminders for citizens to obtain the new documentation.

The reminders apparently worked, as officials reported operations were business as usual among travelers on the first day of the rollout.

"Things went very well yesterday at Newark , JFK and (LaGuardia) airports in the NYC region as well as all across the country," Transportation Security Administration spokesperson Lisa Farbstein told NorthJersey.com in a May 8 email. "Nationwide, we saw no impacts to wait times or security operations as a whole."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey , which oversees the three major local airports, also reported no significant issues stemming from the Real ID enforcement. The agency credited its coordination with the TSA and various other airport stakeholders on the public awareness campaign in advance of the deadline.

"Operations were smooth throughout [ May 7 ] and continue to run smoothly [the morning of May 8 ], with no reported disruptions and wait times remaining within normal ranges," said Port Authority spokesperson Cheryl Albiez .

Passengers presenting identification that does not conform to Real ID standards "are being notified of their non-compliance," Farbstein said. They may then be directed to a separate area for additional screening.

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Do you need a Real ID?

A Real ID is now required for domestic flights, but travelers can use another form of ID such as a passport. A full list of available Real ID-compliant alternatives is available at tsa.gov.

Residents must go in-person to get a Real ID and can visit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website to schedule an appointment. The MVC summarizes the required documents for the appointment as 2 + 1 + 6 = REAL ID, which means:

• Two documents to prove your address.
• One valid Social Security number.
• Identity documents that add up to six points.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Few issues reported on Day 1 of Real ID enforcement at major tri-state airports