TSA requires REAL ID-compliant identification for United States air travel starting May 7, 2025; agency accepts passports, federal IDs, tribal documents as alternatives

May 3, 2025 (CE Noticias Financieras) –

Traveling within the United States will soon require more than a regular driver's license. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has reiterated that, as of May 7, 2025 , state-issued IDs must conform to REAL ID program standards to be considered valid at airport inspection points.

This regulation is part of the federal effort to strengthen identity verification protocols for air travel.

Documents for air travel in the U.S.

Under current guidelines, anyone over the age of 18 must present a valid credential to pass through security screening. The list of accepted documents may be updated without notice, so the TSA recommends reviewing the forms of identification allowed before going to the airport.

In addition to the U.S. passport and passport card, credentials issued by the Department of Defense , Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards (such as Global Entry or SENTRI), border crossing cards, Canadian provincial licenses, and documents issued by recognized tribal nations are recognized as valid documents.

Professional IDs such as merchant mariner credentials, VHIC cards for veterans, and federal employment documents such as the HSPD-12 PIV card or I-766 permitare also accepted.

For those who do not already have a REAL ID-compliant license, a new one must be obtained through their state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Otherwise, travelers must carry a passport or other accepted form of identification that meets federal guidelines.

Avoiding mishaps at the airport will depend on having a clear understanding of what constitutes acceptable TSA identification, since as of May 7 , failure to carry the proper document may result in the inability to board.