New laws for Real ID

Starting May 7, 2025, if you don’t have what is known as a Real ID, you will not be able to travel within the United States or enter a federal building or a military base. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) says the Travel IDs comply with the Federal Real ID Act of 2005, which was passed after the 9/11 Commission recommended the federal government set standards for using ID cards.

You’ll also need the Travel ID to get into federal buildings and military bases. It will cost you $25, and you can get one at Motor Vehicle Division offices or through a third party.

ADOT said it can take up to two weeks to arrive, and it will last eight years. Now, you can travel or enter government buildings after May 7 without the ID, but you will need a federally-issued ID such as a passport or military ID.

Bill Lamoreaux from Community Outreach at ADOT MVD, joined us on “Arizona Horizon” to talk about this update and more.

What is a Real ID?

“A federally compliant credential that gets you past TSA to fly domestically. It also gets you access to federal facilities that might have more controlled access like the courts or military bases,” said Lamoreaux.

How does it differ from a driver’s license?

“There’s two forms of identification you can have in Arizona: One is the standard Arizona driver’s license, and one is the Arizona travel ID. In order to get the travel ID, it matches the federal requirements and wants you to prove those requirements at the MVD office,” Lamoreaux said.

There will be a star icon in the corner of the driver’s license indicating that it’s a travel ID. Some similarities and differences to keep in mind are that the travel ID is not a passport, the travel ID is only for domestic flights, not international, and regarding a tribal ID, it acts the same as a travel ID. You can use it for domestic flights as an alternative to the travel ID.

“If you don’t have a federal form of credential ID, then the Arizona travel ID would be perfect for you, or in this case, the real ID. The real ID is known nationally; the Arizona travel ID is the Arizona version,” Lamoreaux said.

To learn more about what alternate IDs are acceptable come May 7, click here for the list.

If you are interested in getting a real ID, make an appointment at your local MVD, and bring your certified or original birth certificate from the state you were born in (not the hospital version). If that is an issue, a valid passport will be accepted. You will also need your Social Security number and two pieces of mail with your name and current address.