The deadline for Americans to be Real ID compliant was Wednesday.
If you want to fly domestically this summer, the process just became more difficult.
The deadline for Americans to be Real ID compliant was Wednesday.
These are new security standards for IDs and driver’s licenses, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
A signifier, such as a gold star in the upper right corner, will signify whether or not you are Real ID compliant.
We’ve gathered some comments from what Americans had to say about the new ID from our coverage, the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Facebook posts and a recent post on X from the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
“I saw a report this morning that said that Texas is 98% compliant. God bless Texas.”
“Three month waiting list.”
“Had mine for over 2 years already.”
“Stupidest thing ever if you ask me.”
“People can use their Passport to travel.”
“It’s been in the process for years…”
“Five months waiting for my gold.”
“Yes I have my real ID!”
“Just went thru this…my Moms DL had a gold star, but we went to renew and was told she had to bring birth certificate. So not all gold stars are compliant.”
“I’ve had mine for years now.”
“Why isn’t my legal state TDL and or passport not enough? I am not a criminal and shouldn’t have to go through the same hoops as criminals do.”
“Idk why people make this look so hard. Took me five minutes to get a Real ID, some people must have a lot to hide.”
If you do not have your ID yet, there are still other ways to prove your identity to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Here are some acceptable documents, according to their website:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- 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
- Permanent resident card
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
