What California Travelers Need to Know About REAL ID 

 

Are you ready for REAL ID? 

December 5, 2023:

 Residents of California have an additional 24 months to obtain their REAL IDs, a document that will be necessary to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings, after the Department of Homeland Security on Monday extended the enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025.

Officials said the extension is needed, in part, because of lingering problems from COVID-19 that caused backlogs in state agencies charged with issuing driver’s licenses.

The State of California Department of Motor Vehicles requirements: Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need to show federally-compliant identification in order to board a domestic flight within the U.S. and enter secure federal facilities, such as military bases, federal courthouses, and other secure federal locations.
Follow the prompts here to find out if you need a REAL ID.

The Marin Convention & Visitors Bureau is working with the larger travel industry and our government partners to educate California travelers on REAL ID enforcement. Policy changes that allow alternative forms of authentication in place of a REAL ID at airport security checkpoints—including biometric screening and existing enrollment in Trusted Traveler Programs—can help mitigate the effects of REAL ID enforcement, while also ensuring a secure and efficient screening process.

It is our desire that all air travelers flying within the U.S. secure a REAL ID compliant form of identification well ahead of next year’s deadline in order to keep the air travel process moving without disruption.

Helpful links here:
https://realid.dmv.ca.gov/

www.dhs.gov/real-id

REAL ID enforcement is coming—let’s make sure we’re all prepared