The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will start enforcing the REAL ID requirement starting May 7, after years of delay, to comply with the Real ID Act Congress passed in 2005 following the 9/11 attacks.
The Real ID Act set minimum security requirements for states when issuing drivers licenses and identification cards. In addition to Real ID applicants providing documents that show their full legal name, birth date and social security number one also has to provide a document to verify their legal residency status in the U.S.
Minnesota started issuing Real ID licenses and identification cards in 2018, and as of April 1, 2025, close to 41 percent of Minnesotans have Real ID. The average nationally was 56 percent as of January 2024, according to this published Department of Homeland Security rulemaking proposal.
If you have a U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents, you can use that to fly. Full list of alternative IDs that TSA will accept are listed at the bottom of this story.
What is the cost?
In Minnesota, a Real ID driver’s license costs $46 the first time and $41 if you are renewing it.
If you don’t want to get Real ID, you can use your unexpired passport (from any country) to fly domestically. If you are a U.S. passport holder, and also have a U.S. passport card, you can use the card to fly domestically instead of carrying your passport with you. The passport card is usually the size of a driver’s license and more convenient to carry around. You can also use the card to cross the border to Canada by road.
Documents required to prove legal residency in the U.S.
In Minnesota when applying for a Real ID, documents required to prove you are here legally include: 1.) U.S. birth certificate (or Certificate of birth abroad) 2.) U.S. passport/card 3.) Naturalization certificate 4.) Green card 5.) Unexpired foreign passport with unexpired visa with a I-94 Arrival/Departure 5.) Employment authorization card. Full list can be found at this Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.
How to tell if you already have a Real ID
If your current Minnesota driver’s license or identification card is a Real ID it will have a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of the card, if it is not, it will say “Not for Federal Identification.”
To start the process of getting your Minnesota Real ID driver’s license or ID, go to this Minnesota Department of Public Safety website.
You can still drive without Real ID
Your driver’s license that is not Real ID is still valid for driving and for use in other activities that require you to show your ID, you just can’t use it to fly domestically any longer after May 7.
You will need Real ID to enter certain federal facilities and nuclear power plants
To enter facilities such as military bases, nuclear power plants and federal court houses you will need a Real ID or your passport or U.S. passport card.
Are you REAL ID ready? Beginning May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers will need to present a REAL ID compliant license/ID for air travel within the United States. A U.S. passport meets this requirement. Passport processing times are 4-6 weeks – Apply now so you’re ready for summer travel.… pic.twitter.com/h1W6RInxp4
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) April 7, 2025
Full list of Real ID alternatives that TSA will accept at the airport
TSA will not accept your Minnesota driver’s license or ID that says “Not for Federal Identification” starting May 7 The list below of Real ID alternative IDs that TSA will accept at the airport are taken from its website at this link.
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- Border crossing card
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Author
About Tom Gitaa Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief
Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.
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