Travelers now have less than a year to get a Real ID
The deadline for Californians to get a Real ID is now less than a year away — and state officials are reminding residents to apply sooner rather than later.
Starting May 7, 2025, travelers in the United States will need to present a Real ID — or a passport — to board a domestic flight. Real IDs comply with federal requirements, including verified proof of identification and residency, mandated by Congress in 2005 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Implementation of the Real ID program has been delayed several times over the past few years because of the pandemic. But on Tuesday — exactly one year in advance of the deadline — the California Department of Motor Vehicles encouraged residents to apply for the new IDs as early as possible.
“Time flies & so can you!” the state agency said on X. “Don’t get left at the gate! Start your application today at REALID.dmv.ca.gov.”
In California, the Real ID looks the same as the state’s identification card or driver’s license, except it has a golden bear on the top right corner with a white star on the animal’s left flank.
Individuals with an ID that says “federal limits apply” will not be able to board a domestic flight or enter federal facilities — such as military bases, federal courthouses and other locations — after the May 7, 2025, deadline. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories are issuing Real IDs.
As of this week, 17.4 million Californians had Real ID cards — about half of the 34.5 million state residents with driver’s licenses or IDs, according to the DMV.
Applicants must visit a DMV location to sign up for one and present proof of identification, proof of California residency and a social security number.
More information is available in the FAQ section of the DMV’s website.