What are the federally accepted identity documents for a REAL ID application?
Executive summary
Federal REAL ID rules require either a REAL ID‑compliant state driver’s license/ID or another federally accepted identity document — most commonly a valid U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. military ID, or immigration documents such as a Permanent Resident Card or Employment Authorization Document — to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities starting May 7, 2025 (TSA and state DMV guidance) [1] [2] [3]. States’ DMV checklists echo the same core documents (birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, employment authorization) and add that original, valid documents are required at issuance appointments [3] [4].
1. What “acceptable identity documents” means now — the federal baseline
The Transportation Security Administration and REAL ID program set the federal baseline: travelers must present either a REAL ID‑compliant license/ID or one of the other forms of identification the federal government recognizes for access to federal buildings and for boarding commercial aircraft; TSA’s published list (and the REAL ID page) is the controlling reference for which alternatives qualify at checkpoints [1] [2].
2. The headline alternatives you’ll actually see on DMV checklists
State DMVs and REAL ID pages consistently list these as primary identity documents that substitute for a REAL ID: a valid, unexpired U.S. passport or U.S. passport card; a certified U.S. birth certificate; a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card); or a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I‑766). Washington State and Illinois REAL ID guidance explicitly include U.S. military IDs and USCIS documents on their enumerations [3] [5] [4].
3. What you must bring to get a REAL ID — more than “one” paper
To obtain a REAL ID at a DMV you typically must present one document proving identity and lawful status (passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card, etc.), proof of Social Security number, plus two proofs of residency. DMVs stress original, valid documents (no photocopies) and name‑matching or legal name‑change paperwork when applicable [4] [3] [6].
4. TSA’s checkpoint list matters — and it can change
TSA maintains and updates its “Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint” list; it warns the list is subject to change and urges travelers to check before flying. Since May 7, 2025, non‑REAL ID state licenses that are not compliant are not accepted at airports unless you instead present a qualifying alternative such as a passport [2] [1].
5. State nuance and administrative friction — why check your DMV first
Implementation details vary by state: each state’s DMV publishes its own REAL ID checklist and document rules (how they accept residency proofs, whether printed electronic documents are allowed for some items, and appointment requirements). For example, Alaska and New Jersey DMVs restate the federal requirement while listing state specific procedures; Illinois and other states have added digital/mobile ID options that interact with TSA rules differently — so the state DMV is the practical source for what you must bring to the office [7] [6] [8] [9].
6. Conflicting priorities and hidden incentives
Federal policy forces states to verify more documentary proof; states must balance customer convenience and anti‑fraud controls. DMVs insist on originals and multiple proofs of residency, which increases applicant burden; federal agencies (TSA, DHS) emphasize security and uniformity. Advocacy groups and some states had pushed for phased enforcement and flexibility — and TSA allowed phased approaches and other implementation discretion in early 2025 — but the federal checklist of acceptable identity documents remains the operational tool for checkpoints [10] [1] [11].
7. What reporting does not settle — gaps in the sources
Available sources do not mention a single, complete master list of every possible alternative document in one consolidated place beyond TSA’s checkpoint page and state DMV lists; they do not provide an exhaustive, universal menu for every special document scenario (for instance, acceptance rules for expired immigration documents in all states) [2] [3]. For edge cases — name discrepancies, expired USCIS cards, or unique residency evidence — consult your state DMV or TSA’s ID page before travel [3] [2].
Bottom line: to fly domestically or enter secure federal sites you need either a REAL ID‑compliant state credential or one of the standard federal alternatives (U.S. passport/card, military ID, permanent resident card, employment authorization document). Confirm the precise documents and original‑document requirements with your state DMV and TSA’s checkpoint list ahead of travel [2] [3] [1].