Starting May 7, 2025, New York residents will be required to have a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license (or another approved form of identification) to board domestic flights, enter secure federal facilities, or access military bases.
Already have an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL)? You’re good to go. An EDL meets REAL ID requirements and allows land/sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. No further action is needed.
If your driver’s license does NOT have a star or the U.S. flag icon, you’ll need to upgrade. Area DMV offices are available to assist residents in obtaining their REAL ID or EDL before the deadline.
What You Need to Bring:
To upgrade to a REAL ID, individuals must visit the DMV in person and bring:
•One proof of identity (e.g., passport or U.S. birth certificate)
•Two proofs of NY residency
•Social Security card (if issued one)
•Current driver’s license (if exchanging an out-of-state license)
If your name has changed (due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change), you must bring documentation proving the full name change history from birth to your current name:
•Marriage certificate(s) and/or divorce decree(s) (if you’ve been married more than once, bring all marriage certificates and divorce decrees)
•Legal name change documentation (if applicable)
REAL ID is part of a federal effort to improve the security of identification documents. Starting May 7, 2025, travelers will not be permitted to pass TSA checkpoints for domestic flights without a REAL ID or another form of federally approved ID (such as a passport).
For more information on REAL ID requirements, visit https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/enhanced-or-real-id.
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