Close Menu
Technology Mag

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Gruv’s 2-for-$24 sale includes some of 2024’s biggest Blu-ray releases

    May 23, 2025

    Google I/O revealed more updates for Wallet, Wear OS, Google Play, and more

    May 23, 2025

    Valve CEO Gabe Newell’s Neuralink competitor is expecting its first brain chip this year

    May 23, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Subscribe
    Technology Mag
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    • Home
    • News
    • Business
    • Games
    • Gear
    • Reviews
    • Science
    • Security
    • Trending
    • Press Release
    Technology Mag
    Home » How to Get a Real ID License for Traveling on Airplanes
    Gear

    How to Get a Real ID License for Traveling on Airplanes

    News RoomBy News RoomMay 2, 20254 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Planning to go on a big vacation later this year that involves air travel? Even if you’re flying within the United States, you better add one more item to that to-do list: Update your license to Real ID. Anyone who has a license that isn’t Real ID–certified may not be allowed to board domestic flights in the US starting May 7, 2025. So, unless you have a passport on hand as proof of identity instead, you need to update your license.

    This regulatory change is two decades in the making. The new identification standard was suggested by the 9/11 Commission in response to the September 11 attacks and signed into law by US president George W. Bush in 2005. While the original deadline for the change was set for three years later, it has been delayed numerous times. But despite previous delays, there has been no indication from the government that this current deadline will be adjusted again.

    Curious about what the new licenses look like, and how to get your own before the deadline passes? Here’s everything you need to know about the switch to Real ID.

    What Does a Real ID Look Like?

    It looks quite similar to previous driver’s licenses, so don’t expect any drastic changes to the ID’s appearance. Get out your wallet, and check to see whether you have a Real ID by looking for a star in the top right corner of the license. That’s the only major change.

    Just like each state has different designs for their driver’s licenses, the exact implementation of Real ID’s star slightly varies depending on your state. Most of the designs feature a gold circle inlaid with a white star in the top right corner, but California has a gold bear surrounding the white star instead. And while many of the Real IDs feature a gold color, some states opted for a more muted color palette.

    You may have seen the signs.

    Photograph: Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

    How Do I Get a Real ID?

    To see exactly what steps you need to follow, visit the Department of Homeland Security’s webpage about updating to a Real ID, and click on the state where you reside. This will take you to another government website with more specific information from your state about the update process.

    You’ll likely have to apply for a Real ID in person at a local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and be prepared to bring plenty of documentation with you. Even though the specifics may be a bit different for your state, let’s take a look at Missouri’s requirements as an example to help you understand how much documentation will be required to get the Real ID.

    To start off, if you’re a Missouri resident, you will need proof of your Social Security number, which is typically a Social Security card but could also be a W-2 form. Then you’ll have to show one identity document as well as one lawful status document. For this section, a valid passport or a US birth certificate will cover both requirements. Next, two different proofs of residency are required to demonstrate that you actually live in the state, like a utility bill, employer paycheck, or car insurance. Finally, additional documentation is required for any name change, like a marriage license.

    In order to save yourself a frustrating, unfruitful trip to the DMV, double check all of your necessary documentation before going to the office. Depending on the state, you may need to make an appointment beforehand for a more streamlined experience. (Well, as streamlined as any visit to the DMV can be.)

    What Else Is a Real ID Required For?

    Even though many Americans need to update their driver’s license primarily just for travel purposes, there are a few edge cases where a Real ID is also necessary: According to the DHS, you will also need it to enter military bases and some federal buildings. A Real ID is also necessary to visit nuclear power plants in the US.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleThe Chromecast is back, but not as we know it
    Next Article A Judge Says Meta’s AI Copyright Case Is About ‘the Next Taylor Swift’

    Related Posts

    29 Best Memorial Day Sales

    May 23, 2025

    The Best Sleeping Pads For Campgrounds—Our Comfiest Picks

    May 23, 2025

    I Got a Sneak Peek of the Ratio Eight Series 2 Coffee Maker. Lord, It’s Beautiful

    May 23, 2025

    LG G5 OLED TV Review: The Best Model of 2025?

    May 23, 2025

    Save With Top Canon Coupons for May 2025

    May 23, 2025

    I Tried Out Dyson’s New PencilVac. Here’s What You Need to Know

    May 22, 2025
    Our Picks

    Google I/O revealed more updates for Wallet, Wear OS, Google Play, and more

    May 23, 2025

    Valve CEO Gabe Newell’s Neuralink competitor is expecting its first brain chip this year

    May 23, 2025

    Let’s Talk About ChatGPT and Cheating in the Classroom

    May 23, 2025

    Amazon has canceled its Wheel of Time series

    May 23, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Vimeo
    Don't Miss
    News

    Inside the ‘lightly vetted’ $TRUMP coin dinner

    By News RoomMay 23, 2025

    The winners of the $TRUMP meme coin contest did get to see President Donald Trump…

    Google and OpenAI can’t stop messing with each other

    May 23, 2025

    Trump tries to ban Harvard from enrolling international students

    May 23, 2025

    Kentucky’s Bitcoin Boom Has Gone Bust

    May 23, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Advertise
    • Contact
    © 2025 Technology Mag. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.