New York Residents Must Have REAL ID to Fly Starting May 2025

DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, along with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials and Monroe County Clerk Jamie Romeo, announced the upcoming May 7, 2025 deadline for New York residents to obtain a REAL ID for domestic air travel.

Beginning May 7, 2025, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another federally approved form of identification to board domestic flights.

A REAL ID, which features a small star or flag, or an enhanced driver’s license meets federal security standards. Without one, travelers will need an alternative ID, such as a passport, to board flights or enter secure federal facilities, including military bases.

“The REAL ID is part of a coordinated federal effort to improve the accuracy and security of identification cards,” said Bart R. Johnson, TSA’s federal security director for airports in Upstate New York. “These improvements are aimed at preventing terrorists from using fraudulent IDs to evade detection.”

New Yorkers can choose to upgrade to a REAL ID or enhanced ID or retain a standard driver’s license. However, a standard license without the star or flag will not be valid for air travel or entry into federal buildings.

To obtain a REAL ID, individuals must visit a New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in person and present documents proving U.S. citizenship and state residency. Required documents include one proof of identity (such as a passport or U.S. birth certificate), proof of legal presence for non-U.S. citizens, two proofs of New York residency, a Social Security card (if applicable), and a current driver’s license if exchanging one from another state.

Starting May 7, 2025, TSA officers at airport security checkpoints will not allow travelers without a REAL ID-compliant license or another approved form of ID. TSA may phase in the requirements and will provide updates on its website.

Airport signs nationwide will also remind travelers of the REAL ID requirement. Acceptable forms of identification include a valid passport, a federal government PIV card, or a U.S. military ID.

For more information on obtaining a REAL ID in New York, visit dmv.ny.gov.