Travelers Without REAL ID Can Still Fly, But Will Face Extra Screening

U.S. travelers without a REAL ID will still be allowed to fly after the new federal ID enforcement deadline, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“People will still be allowed to fly,” said Noem. “We will make sure it’s as seamless as possible.”

The announcement comes as reassurance for passengers who may be unaware or unprepared for the long-anticipated REAL ID requirement, nearly 20 years in the making. Although enforcement officially begins this week, travelers without a compliant ID will not be turned away but will instead go through additional screening at TSA checkpoints. DHS did not specify what the extra screening entails but advised travelers to arrive early at the airport.

Fortunately, 81% of Americans already have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport or tribal ID, Noem added.

The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 in response to 9/11 Commission recommendations, sets minimum security standards for state-issued IDs. Implementation has faced multiple delays, most recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing the final enforcement deadline to May 2025.

REAL ID-compliant documents are typically marked with a star on the upper portion of the card.