Real ID deadline approaching – What to know if you haven’t updated your license

• • 
    Being May 7, 2025, Real IDs will be required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities, like military bases.
    
  • 
    Several forms of ID you have may already be compliant, such as a passport or military ID.
    
  • 
    Real ID designation can also be added to Michigan driver’s licenses.
    

• 
  Being May 7, 2025, Real IDs will be required to board domestic flights and enter certain federal facilities, like military bases.
  
• 
  Several forms of ID you have may already be compliant, such as a passport or military ID.
  
• 
  Real ID designation can also be added to Michigan driver’s licenses.
  

DETROIT (FOX 2):Under the Real ID Act, new regulations will take effect in a few months for domestic travel and access to specific federal buildings.

All Americans will require a Real ID-compliant document on May 7 in order to enter military installations, board airplanes, and other locations.

Here are some facts concerning Real IDs and their importance.

What is a Real ID?

The backstory

In reaction to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Real ID Act was passed in 2005.

The Department of Homeland Security claims that the act established security requirements for identification needed to enter nuclear power plants, board domestic aircraft, and enter federal buildings like military bases.

Real ID types include:

The Real ID category includes a variety of identifying types. Here are a few instances:

• 
  A driver’s license with Real ID designation or an enhanced license – In , this means your license will have a star inside a gold circle or a star inside a gold Michigan. If your license does not have this, you may need to get a new ID. More on that below.
  
• 
  A United States passport
  
• 
  A United States passport card
  
• 
  A foreign government-issued passport
  
• 
  A Veteran Health Identification Card
  
• 
  A U.S. Department of Defense ID
  

For a complete list of identification that complies with Real ID,

A Michigan driver’s license that complies with real ID (Image: SOS Michigan)

How to get a Real ID license in Michigan

You must go to a Secretary of State office and bring the following in order to have your license or identification transformed to a Real ID:

• 
  Your current Michigan driver s license or ID
  
• 
  A valid, unexpired U.S. passport or birth certificate
  

You must also bring verified documents, such as a marriage license, that reflect any name changes, if your name does not match the name on your birth certificate.

Cost:

There is no extra cost for a Real ID if you are renewing your ID or license.

Nevertheless, you will be required to pay $9 for a license update or $10 for an ID update if you are upgrading your identification outside of the license renewal period.

What happens if you don’t have a Real ID?

You will not be allowed to board a plane or enter military installations and nuclear power facilities if you do not have a valid ID on or after May 7.

Nonetheless, a non-Real ID license can still be used as usual, such as for identification, check cashing, driving, and car rentals.

The Source: This story was written using information from the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Michigan Secretary of State.