https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/12/05/dhs-announces-extension-real-id-full-enforcement-deadline Skip to main content U.S. flag An official website of the United States government Here's how you know Here's how you know Government Website Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Safely connect using HTTPS Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock (A locked padlock) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline * News + All DHS News + Apps + Blog + Comunicados de Prensa + Data + Events + Fact Sheets + Featured News + Homeland Security LIVE + Media Contacts + Media Library + National Terrorism Advisory System + Press Releases + Publications Library o Academic Engagement o Border Security o Citizenship And Immigration Services Ombudsman o Citizenship and Immigration Services o Civil Rights and Civil Liberties o Cybersecurity o Disasters o Do Business with DHS o Election Security o Homeland Security Careers o Homeland Security Enterprise o Human Trafficking o Immigration and Customs Enforcement o Intelligence and Analysis o International Engagement o Law Enforcement Partnerships o National Terrorism Advisory System o Preventing Terrorism o Privacy o REAL ID o Resilience o Science and Technology o Trade and Economic Security o Transportation Security o Weapons of Mass Destruction + Social Media + Speeches + Subscribe + Testimony DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline Release Date: December 5, 2022 States to have additional time to meet requirements WASHINGTON - Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its intent to extend the REAL ID full enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025. Under the new regulations published to execute this change, states will now have additional time to ensure their residents have driver's licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act. As required by the law, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be prohibited from accepting driver's licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards. "DHS continues to work closely with U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories to meet REAL ID requirements," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "This extension will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card. DHS will also use this time to implement innovations to make the process more efficient and accessible. We will continue to ensure that the American public can travel safely." The extension is necessary, in part, to address the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the ability to obtain a REAL ID driver's license or identification card. REAL ID progress over the past two years has been significantly hindered by state driver's licensing agencies having to work through the backlogs created by the pandemic. Many of these agencies took various steps in response to the pandemic including automatically extending the expiration dates of driver's licenses and identification cards and shifting operations to appointment only. Passed by Congress in 2005 following a 9/11 Commission recommendation, the REAL ID Act establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. Security standards include incorporating anti-counterfeiting technology, preventing insider fraud, and using documentary evidence and record checks to ensure a person is who they claim to be. Under the new regulations, beginning May 7, 2025, every traveler 18 years of age or older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport 1security checkpoints for domestic air travel. Since enactment of the REAL ID Act in 2005, advancements in technology have enabled TSA to make significant improvements in checkpoint screening, particularly in the areas of identity management, on-person screening, accessible property screening and alarm resolution. Through the deployment of technologies such as Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), Advanced Technology (AT) X-ray, then Computed Tomography (CT), Bottled Liquids Scanners (BLS), and Credential Authentication Technology (CAT), as well as deployment of Passenger Screening Canines (PSC) and the rollout of TSA PreCheck(r), TSA has continually advanced its security capabilities. TSA also increased its vetting capability through Secure Flight, a risk-based passenger prescreening program that enhances security by identifying low and high-risk passengers before they arrive at the airport by matching their names against trusted traveler lists and watchlists. REAL ID requirements will strengthen these improvements further by providing an additional layer of confidence in the identity of the traveler. All 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and four of five U.S. territories covered by the REAL ID Act and related regulations are issuing REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses and identification cards. These standards have significantly improved the reliability and accuracy of state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. For more information on REAL ID, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id. Topics * Secretary of Homeland Security * REAL ID * Transportation Security Keywords * REAL ID Act of 2005 * Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas * Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Last Updated: 12/05/2022 Was this page helpful? ( ) Yes ( ) No This page was not helpful because the content ( ) has too little information ( ) has too much information ( ) is confusing ( ) is out-of-date [Submit] Return to top * Topics * News * In Focus * How Do I? * Get Involved * About DHS U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr Instagram LinkedIn Email U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal DHS.gov An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security * About DHS * Accessibility * Budget and Performance * DHS Components * FOIA Requests * No FEAR Act Data * Privacy Policy * Site Links * Office of Inspector General * The White House * USA.gov Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov