Real ID Compliant States 2025

Yes

State	Issued Starting (mm-dd-yy)↓	Digital ID URL	Standard ID Indicator
Rhode Island	12-03-18		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
New Mexico	11-14-16		NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES (red, in yellow bar) at top
Nevada	11-12-14		NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES
New York	10-31-17		NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES
Arkansas	10-03-16		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION (if issued before 07/09/18) NOT FOR FEDERAL ID (if issued on or after 07/09/18)
Connecticut	10-03-11		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Virginia	10-01-18		FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY
Louisiana	10-01-16	https://www.expresslane.org/	NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Texas	10-01-16		No standard IDs issued
Florida	08-01-19		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Kansas	08-01-17		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Oregon	07-06-20
Georgia	07-03-12	Yes	No indicator
Maine	07-01-19		NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES (before October 2019) or NOT INTENDED FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES (starting October 2019)
Tennessee	07-01-19
Ohio	07-01-18		NOT FOR FEDERAL ID Note: Prior versions of Ohio credentials may have a gold star but are not REAL ID-compliant.
Washington	07-01-18		FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY (if issued on or after 07/01/2018)
Colorado	07-01-13	https://dmv.colorado.gov/	NOT VALID FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION, VOTING OR PUBLIC BENEFIT PURPOSES
Delaware	07-01-10	https://www.dmv.de.gov/	NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION (If issued before 06/04/18), NOT FOR FEDERAL ID (If issued on or after 06/04/18)
Kentucky	06-28-19		NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES
Maryland	06-20-16	https://mva.maryland.gov/Pages/MDMobileID_Apple.aspx	NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Alabama	06-04-13		No indicator
New Jersey	06-01-19		NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES
North Dakota	05-01-18		No indicator
North Carolina	05-01-17		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
District of Columbia	05-01-14		NOT VALID FOR OFFICIAL FEDERAL PURPOSES
Oklahoma	04-30-20	https://oklahoma.gov/dps.html
Nebraska	04-15-13		No standard IDs issued
Massachusetts	03-26-18		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Missouri	03-25-19	Yes	NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES
Minnesota	03-01-19		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Pennsylvania	03-01-19		NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES
South Carolina	03-01-18		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Arizona	02-01-23	https://azdot.gov/	NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION (if issued before 07/09/18) NOT FOR FEDERAL ID (if issued on or after 07/09/18)
California	01-22-18		FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY
Michigan	01-21-19		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Hawaii	01-16-18		NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR OFFICIAL FEDERAL PURPOSES
Iowa	01-15-13		No indicator
Illinois	01-07-19		FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY
New Hampshire	01-03-17		NOR FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Alaska	01-02-19		FEDERAL LIMITS APPLY
Montana	01-01-19		NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION
Utah	01-01-19	https://dld.utah.gov/	NOT VALID FOR IDENTIFICATION (DRIVING PRIVILEGE ONLY)
Idaho	01-01-18		NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES
Mississippi	01-01-18
Wisconsin	01-01-15		NOT FOR FEDERAL PURPOSES
Vermont	01-01-14		DRIVERS PRIVILEGE CARD
Wyoming	01-01-14		No standard IDs issued
West Virginia	01-01-13
Indiana	01-01-10		No indicator (if issued before 05/20/19), NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES (if issued on or after 05/20/19)
South Dakota	01-01-10

Starting May 7, 2025, a REAL ID/DL (ID/driver’s license), Enhanced ID/DL, or valid US Passport will be required to board domestic airline flights or enter certain secure federal facilities.
Conceived in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in 2001, REAL ID/DL was initially intended to enter into effect by 2008. It has been delayed multiple times.
As of 2023, every US state has begun to issue some form of REAL ID/DL.
Many states issue also issue some form of standard ID, such as Driving Privilege Cards, which are not Real ID compliant. Standard IDs often include a specific indicator, listed below, to signal their non-compliance.
A REAL ID/DL is easily confused with an Enhanced ID/DL, issued by a handful of northern states, which functions like a REAL ID/DL but can also be used as proof of citizenship when reentering the US from another country (typically Canada).

The REAL ID Act, passed in 2005 as per the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation, establishes minimum standards for the issuance, security, and authentication of driver’s licenses and identification cards. The Act prohibits federal agencies from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the minimum standards for boarding federally regulated commercial flights, accessing Federal facilities, and entering nuclear power plants.

On December 20, 2013, the Department of Homeland Security announced a phased enforcement plan for the REAL ID Act to implement it fairly and measured. The Department of Homeland Security states that it is committed to enforcing the Act in accordance with the phased enforcement schedule and regulatory timeframes. Starting on October 1, 2020, a person must have a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card to access federal facilities, board commercial aircraft, and enter nuclear power plants.

REAL ID-compliant identification is marked with a gold star, making it easy for federal workers to distinguish between these compliant and non-compliant ID cards and licenses. However, there are a few states that have issued IDs without a star.

To receive a REAL ID, you must show proof of identity, proof of social security number, proof of address, and proof of all legal name changes. You must provide original or government-issued copies of all documentation.

It is important to note that not having a REAL ID does not affect your ability to drive, vote, or purchase items that require identification. You only need a REAL ID if you plan to board a commercial flight, enter a power plant, access federal facilities, or visit military bases.