Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Will You Need a Passport to Fly Within the U.S. Next Year?

Mike Richard
By
united states passport
Levi Ventura

By this time next year, some U.S. citizens will need a passport or other form of identification to fly domestically. It’s all part of the REAL ID plan that’s been more than a decade in the making. While the Department of Homeland Security and Transportation Security Administration have delayed the plan’s rollout several times, come the fall of 2020, air travelers will have no excuse.

It’s been more than ten years since the 9/11 Commission delivered its recommendation that the federal government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” To make ID requirements consistent from state to state, Congress passed the REAL ID act in 2005 with these new standards in mind. Enforcement was subsequently delayed in 2007 and then again in 2011. The phased plan launched in 2014 and 2015, but the final phase of requirements related to air travel is now officially scheduled for October 2020.

Related Videos

What happens then? According to the TSA website, “Every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.” The look of these new IDs varies somewhat by state, although most have a star somewhere in the upper corner of the card. Passengers without this will need to produce a passport, passport card, military ID, Global Entry card, or other compliant form of identification.

Some privacy advocates contend the REAL ID program is an excuse for the federal government to build a database of identifying information about U.S. citizens. The Department of Homeland Security expressly denies this on its website: “REAL ID is a national set of standards, not a national identification card. Each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique license, maintains its own records, and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. The purpose of REAL ID is to make our identity documents more consistent and secure.”

Nationwide enforcement of the new REAL ID requirements goes into effect on October 1, 2020. By then, every U.S. state and territory must be issuing REAL ID-compliant identifications. The DHS is confident all are on track to meet the deadline. U.S. residents can acquire a compliant ID by applying in person at their state’s driver’s license agency. If you need an upgraded ID, don’t wait until the last minute. State officials are already warning of extended wait times and longer lines ahead of the new REAL ID rollout.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
All 23 Six Flags theme parks in the U.S., ranked
Which Six Flags theme park is your favorite?
A view of the Riddler Revenge ride at Six Flags New England.

Six Flags is one of the most famous names in the theme park game in the United States (if not the world), thanks to its catchy commercial song. Six Flags has a multitude of exhilarating rides and attractions that put these destinations at the top of the list for thrill-seekers and families everywhere. Here, we’ve ranked all of the Six Flags parks in America and explained why. Ranking them was not an easy task, but hopefully, this list will guide you to the best destinations for all the thrill and excitement you're seeking.
17. Tie: Hurricane Harbor Rockford
Rockford, Illinois
In late 2018, Six Flags announced that it would take over operations of Magic Waters, which has been operating since 1984. The long-lived water park, while well-loved by the surrounding community, is pretty small, and it wasn't originally built as a Six Flags park. Now it's officially a Hurricane Harbor, and we can hardly wait to see what Six Flags has in store for Rockford in 2023.
Book Now

17. Tie: Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
Houston, Texas

Read more
Do you need a passport to travel in the US?
You might be surprised to learn that U.S. citizens can technically travel domestically without any ID at all

After years of changed dates, extended deadlines, and general defiance at the state level, there’s still a lot of confusion around the REAL ID Act, particularly when it comes to air travel. The act was slated to become law on Oct. 1, 2020. However, the unprecedented circumstances of the last few years — and traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular — pushed the execution date back yet again.

Now, as of the time of this writing, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), all U.S. travelers must meet the REAL ID requirements to board domestic flights by May 3, 2023. So, what does this mean, and how should you go about it? In this post, we’ll clear things up regarding this issue and also explain the use of your passport when traveling domestically.
Do I need a passport to fly domestically in the US in 2022?

Read more
The best hotels in Hawaii: Where to book your next stay so you can feel like a local
Going to Hawaii? There are many hotel options on the island chain but these are the best of the bunch
Diamond head in Honolulu.

When you go to Hawaii, you're going to want to stay for a while. That's simply what snorkeling, surfing, eating poke, sipping shave ice, and hiking through glorious National Parks will do. And in Hawaii, you've got quite a few great options, whether you're doing the city thing in Honolulu or getting away in Lanai.

Part of an extended stay is living like a local. In Hawaii, you can do that while pampering yourself with the extra creature comforts a real vacation warrants. Think of the hotel as your headquarters for an immersive island experience, a place to rest up in between incredible meals, fun excursions, and visits to the archipelago's many wondrous small towns and beaches.

Read more