Real ID goes into effect in NY this May, according to Homeland Security. If you want to fly, or enter federal buildings you have to present “your (digital) papers, please” in the form of the surveillance-friendly Real ID card, RFID-laden passport, or the below short list of substitutes:
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced that effective May 7, 2025, all adult U.S. citizens must present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification or a valid passport to board domestic flights and access federal facilities…“If you plan on traveling, we need your help to prevent delays and to prove your identity. Get a REAL ID. Starting May 7th, you will need a REAL ID to travel by air or to visit federal buildings in the United States,” Noem said in a video statement.
“These IDs keep our country safe because they help prevent fraud and enhance security. Please do your part to protect our country. Go today, and don’t delay.”
…There are several other forms of identification you can use to fly.
According to TSA:
- State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License
- 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
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Children
TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Contact the airline for questions regarding specific ID requirements for travelers under 18…More