The REAL ID Deadline Is Officially One Year Away—Here's How to Get This Travel Card Squared Away Before Your 2025 Honeymoon

Jetting off to an exotic honeymoon destination is an unforgettable way to begin this new chapter in your relationship. But before you touch down, there are a few logistical details that require your full attention. Besides booking accommodations, travel, and reservations for your upcoming trip, you’ll need to compile all of the necessary documentation in order to board your flight. 

Right now, for anyone flying within the United States, confirming your identification simply entails whipping out your driver’s license. But starting on May 7, 2025, your state-issued license won't suffice. Instead, you’ll need to have a new form of identification on hand for domestic flights, a REAL ID. And the clock is ticking: You have one year to register for this REAL ID-compliant card.

To give you the rundown on this travel document and the process of obtaining one, we talked to luxury travel advisor Lesley Cohen. Read on for everything to know about REAL IDs.

What Is a REAL ID?

A REAL ID is a federally-accepted identification card that adults 18 years or older will be required to show for domestic flights beginning on May 7, 2025. The card looks like a state-issued driver’s license—except it includes a star in the upper righthand corner. After this date, TSA won’t accept state-issued driver’s licenses as an acceptable form of identification for domestic flights. Otherwise, you’ll have to bring a valid U.S. passport or another alternative (more on that below).

Why Are Real IDs Needed for Domestic Travel?

This new protocol is a result of the REAL ID Act, which Congress passed in 2005 to ensure that all forms of identification meet the same federal standard, according to Cohen. After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the 9/11 Commission Report presented this measure to maintain nationwide security with identification cards that individuals can’t easily forge or alter. 

How to Get a REAL ID

The process of obtaining a REAL ID is different in every state, so be sure to check out your state’s driver’s licensing agency website for specific instructions and requirements. Below, we’re sharing general guidelines to follow.

Make an Appointment

To start the process, you’ll need to make an appointment at a driver’s license service center near you. In most states, you can schedule your appointment online.

Gather Your Documents

Next, gather all of the right documentation. Although each state has different requirements, at a minimum, you’ll need to bring documentation that includes your full legal name, your date of birth, your Social Security number, two proofs of your primary address, and your lawful status. 

• Proof of name and date of birth: Generally, to confirm your name and date of birth, a valid U.S. passport, certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, permanent resident card, or certificate of citizenship will suffice. 
• Social Security number: While a Social Security card is most widely accepted, there are other ways to confirm this, such as a W-2 form or a recent pay stub.
• Proof of state residency: Again, check your state’s website, but this could include your vehicle registration card, bank account statement, insurance card, or utility bill.

Visit the DMV 

At your appointment at a motor vehicle location, you’ll submit all of the necessary documentation. You’ll also have to pay a fee, which Cohen says varies by state, but most cost about $30. For example, a REAL ID costs $35 in New Jersey and $28 in Tennessee. 

Receive Your REAL ID Card

You’ll receive a paper copy of your REAL ID during your appointment at the DMV, but you won’t be able to use this version to fly domestically. The official card will come in the mail in about 14 business days. 

Alternatives to a REAL ID

If you don’t want to get a REAL ID, you can present a valid U.S. passport at the airport to board domestic flights. In some states, including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont, an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) is an acceptable alternative. This card is similar to a REAL ID, but it has an identification chip or machine-readable barcode that allows authorities to see your data. Plus, unlike REAL IDs, you can use an EDL to cross the U.S. border from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries. They’re also more expensive—EDLs cost about $30 more than REAL IDs.