The United States Government has announced that, starting May 7, 2025will begin the implementation of REAL IDa new identification requirement necessary to carry out various activities within the country.
This measure responds to the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which seeks to establish minimum security standards for the issuance and production of identification documents.
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What is REAL ID and why is it important?
The REAL ID is a driver’s license or state identification card that meets federal security standards established by the REAL ID Act. This The regulation prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses or IDs that do not meet the new requirements for certain official uses. These include:
- Access to federal facilities restricted.
- Boarding commercial flights regulated by the federal government.
- Entry into nuclear power plants.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this measure is crucial to strengthening national security through a more reliable identification system.
Real ID will be mandatory to travel in the USA
Deadline to process the REAL ID
The deadline to obtain the REAL ID expires on May 7, 2025. As of that date, anyone over 18 years of age who wishes to fly within the United States or access federal facilities must have this document or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport.
To identify if your license meets REAL ID requirements, check to see if it has a star in the upper right corner. If your license already includes this symbol, you do not need to complete any additional procedures. Otherwise, you must renew it before the deadline.
Options for those who do not process REAL ID
Those who do not update their license will be able to use a passport or other approved documents to travel or access restricted facilities. The complete list of accepted documents is available on the official DHS website.
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“The security of driver’s licenses and identification documents They are a vital component of our national security framework”explained the Department of Homeland Security. With REAL ID, the government seeks to ensure that issued IDs are more difficult to fake, thereby reducing security risks.
Starting in May 2025, the REAL ID will be essential for:
- Fly on commercial airlines within the country.
- Access certain restricted federal facilities.
- Enter nuclear power plants.
For more information and details about the processing process, it is recommended to consult the website of the Department of Homeland Security.
