Upgrade your ID to Real ID. Learn more on Harshman Travel Agency show on Building Fortunes Radio with Pam Harshman and Ron Harshman and Peter Mingils.
Listen to the show: buildingfortunesradio.com/category/harshman-travel-radio-show/
All states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories are required to comply with Real ID requirements.
Starting May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will enforce the REAL ID Act, a federal law passed in 2005 following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to enhance security standards for state-issued identification. This means that if you plan to board a domestic flight or access certain federal facilities (like military bases or nuclear power plants), your driver’s license or state ID must be REAL ID-compliant—unless you use an alternative like a passport. Notices about upgrading to a REAL ID have been popping up at airports, DMV websites, and through airlines to remind travelers of this looming deadline. A REAL ID-compliant card typically features a star (or sometimes a flag) in the upper right corner, indicating it meets federal security requirements, such as anti-counterfeiting measures and verified personal data. To get one, you’ll need to visit your state’s DMV in person with specific documents: proof of identity (e.g., a birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of residency (like utility bills). The process varies slightly by state, but it’s more rigorous than a standard ID renewal, often requiring an appointment due to high demand. If you don’t upgrade by May 7, 2025, your current ID won’t cut it for flying—though you can still drive or vote with it. Alternatives like a U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID will also work at TSA checkpoints. With only weeks left as of April 10, 2025, the push is on to avoid last-minute chaos. Check your state’s DMV site now—delays are common, and appointments are booking fast. Don’t get grounded over a missing star.
Book your travel through Harshman Travel harshmantravel.com
Listen to the show: buildingfortunesradio.com/category/harshman-travel-radio-show/
All states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories are required to comply with Real ID requirements.
Starting May 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will enforce the REAL ID Act, a federal law passed in 2005 following the 9/11 Commission’s recommendations to enhance security standards for state-issued identification. This means that if you plan to board a domestic flight or access certain federal facilities (like military bases or nuclear power plants), your driver’s license or state ID must be REAL ID-compliant—unless you use an alternative like a passport. Notices about upgrading to a REAL ID have been popping up at airports, DMV websites, and through airlines to remind travelers of this looming deadline. A REAL ID-compliant card typically features a star (or sometimes a flag) in the upper right corner, indicating it meets federal security requirements, such as anti-counterfeiting measures and verified personal data. To get one, you’ll need to visit your state’s DMV in person with specific documents: proof of identity (e.g., a birth certificate or passport), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of residency (like utility bills). The process varies slightly by state, but it’s more rigorous than a standard ID renewal, often requiring an appointment due to high demand. If you don’t upgrade by May 7, 2025, your current ID won’t cut it for flying—though you can still drive or vote with it. Alternatives like a U.S. passport, passport card, or military ID will also work at TSA checkpoints. With only weeks left as of April 10, 2025, the push is on to avoid last-minute chaos. Check your state’s DMV site now—delays are common, and appointments are booking fast. Don’t get grounded over a missing star.
Book your travel through Harshman Travel harshmantravel.com
