If a trip is in your plans for 2025, you might need to spend some extra time getting ready before jetting off to your exotic destination. With new travel regulations and identification requirements, travelers going between countries or even within the United States will have to show additional documentation in order to board an airplane.

These requirements started in 2005 when Congress passed the Real ID Act. This law is designed to standardize the process and requirements for getting identification like a driver’s license, which can be used to board airplanes. It came with a lengthy timeline for implementation, so the requirements have continued to vary among states. But with a 2025 deadline, travelers will now be required to follow these new regulations.

Real ID Requirements in 2025

Getting on a flight in 2025 comes with a few new regulations.

1. Deadline for compliance - On May 7, 2025, all travelers will be required to show identification that meets the Real ID standard. In most states, a driver’s license meets the criteria, but not all states have fully implemented this program. If you’re getting a new ID, you’ll have the option to get a Real ID or a non-Real ID, although some states only offer the fully compliant form of identification. Additionally, travelers who haven’t needed to renew their license in a while might need to go in specifically to get a Real ID.
2. Air travel - A non-Real ID driver’s license will let you legally drive, but to get on a domestic or international flight, you’ll need to have a Real ID compliant form of identification. This program creates standard procedures and requirements among state identification departments and offices so that everyone boarding a flight has provided the same amount of ID verification. International flights will also require passports, which fall under a different category. A Real ID might also be required to get into certain federal facilities and areas, such as TSA checkpoints and federal courthouses.
3. Getting a Real ID - To get a Real ID, make an appointment at your state DMV or walk-in, if allowed. In most cases, you’ll need to get a new form of ID that is Real ID compliant by showing original documentation proving your identity. This can include your birth certificate, social security card, or other original record of your name, citizenship status, and date of birth. You’ll also need to verify your residential address with two forms of ID that include both your name and address. This can be a utility bill, personal check with your address, insurance policy, or professional license. If you submit your rental agreement or mortgage statement, you’ll only need to provide one record. 

Using Your Passport in 2025

To travel in 2025, a passport might be just the thing you need.

1. International Travel - A passport is still required for international travel before you’re allowed into the country. You’ll need to show your passport and declare any carried items at Customs, getting an official stamp in your passport book when you’re cleared to enter the country. In some cases, you’ll need to apply for a Visa as well, depending on why you are traveling and how long you plan to stay. The passport requirements have typically been more stringent than previous requirements for driver’s licenses. If you’re getting a new passport, expect to submit original documents to verify your identity.
2. Domestic Travel - A passport is not required for domestic air travel within the United States, but it can be used in place of a Real ID. For those without a Real ID on May 7, 2025, a passport will be needed in order to get onto a flight even within the U.S. If you have a Real ID, you can show that instead of your passport for domestic flights. Other forms of travel, including personal vehicles and rail travel, do not require a Real ID. For Amtrak, you’ll just need to show a form of photo identification and operating a personal vehicle only requires a valid driver’s license.
3. Getting a new passport - If you don’t already have a passport, the process to apply for and get a new one remains mostly the same. You’ll need to submit original forms of identification, as well as pay a processing fee. The timeline to get a passport is typically between 6 and 8 weeks, but you can pay to expedite both the processing and shipping. But don’t wait until the last minute to get your passport taken care of, since you might not be able to go on your vacation without one. Especially for international travel, there is not a substitute that you can show if you don’t have your passport ready to go.

Getting ready for an upcoming trip in 2025 might require a few extra steps thanks to the deadline for Real ID compliance. But having this ID, plus a passport for international destinations, will ensure that you can board an airplane to anywhere you want to go. Bon voyage!