Real ID and Why It Isn’t Real… Yet

By Colin Coleman ‘26

What is Real ID?

Real ID is a standard for identification put into place by the Real ID Act that prohibits agencies within the federal government from accepting identification that does not meet a set of rigorous standards. Typically this enforcement is seen when you try to enter federal government facilities, nuclear power plants, and most commonly, boarding commercial flights. Essentially, it provides a higher, consistent standard for identification across all U.S. states and territories.

The Real ID Act came in the wake of the tragedy on September 11th, 2001. Following this event, the 9/11 Commission was formed to ensure that laws were put in place to prevent future attacks. One of the recommendations made in 2004 was to establish a federal standard for identification documents, as at the time such a standard did not exist. Before this act, the federal government deferred this responsibility to states and trusted that the states’ interests aligned with the federal government and would establish adequate identification standards themselves. However, once President Bush signed this act into law on May 11, 2005, states were given three years to implement this higher standard before enforcement began. 

Why are we worried about Real ID in 2025?

Real ID has faced a number of setbacks in its implementation, and the first came from states’ refusal to implement this new ID requirement. Maine even went as far as to pass new legislation specifically preventing their participation in a national identification card program such as Real ID. Additionally, asking a state to revamp their identification system and providing no funding to do so is a big ask. Then Governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, summarized the government's request well, calling it an “unfunded mandate” as the states were asked to take on this task without funding from the federal government, which was requiring this implementation. This led to a series of delays as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reevaluated the timeline. 

As the original 2008 deadline neared, the DHS began granting extensions state by state. The idea was that the department would work with states and their DMVs (typically responsible for managing identification through driver licenses) to become Real ID compliant. However, because the process was implemented state by state, full implementation became near impossible as states were slow to act. North Carolina wasn't even certified to provide Real ID compliant identification until October 12, 2017. They did so nine years after the original deadline, being the 27th state or territory to do so. 

The latest series of extensions in federal enforcement came during and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, the deadline was extended by one year. In May 2021, another extension was granted until 2023. Before this date could be hit, the latest extension was enacted, giving air travelers and visitors to nuclear facilities and other federal agencies until May 7, 2025, to become Real ID compliant. 

What does this mean for me?

The Real ID Act and its enforcement are primarily relevant to those wanting to access federal facilities, enter nuclear power plants, and board commercial aircraft. If you don't want to do any of these three things then congratulations! You can close out this tab and go on with your day. However, if you’re planning a trip aboard a commercial aircraft or have the opportunity to visit a nuclear or federal facility, then there are some extra steps you will need to take to make sure your identification meets the Real ID standard. 

The easiest way to tell if you have a Real ID in the State of North Carolina is to look at your driver’s license, if you have a black star in the corner then you are Real ID ready. If not, you will need to take a trip to everyone's favorite place, the DMV. To avoid wasting hours in line, be sure you have the additional documentation required by the NC DMV. U.S. Citizens need one document proving identity and date of birth, one document with your full name and social security number, two documents proving your North Carolina residency, and if applicable, one or more documents verifying any name changes. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, you will also need one document proving your legal presence. Once the DMV has processed your application, your efforts will be rewarded with a gold star on the corner of your new driver’s license.

Colin Coleman is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering.

Sources

Department of Homeland Security & Transportation Security Administration. (2025, January 14). Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes; Phased Approach for Card-Based Enforcement. Federal Register. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/14/2025-00484/minimum-standards-for-drivers-licenses-and-identification-cards-acceptable-by-federal-agencies-for 

DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline. (2022, December 5). Homeland Security. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.dhs.gov/archive/news/2022/12/05/dhs-announces-extension-real-id-full-enforcement-deadline 

Krajewska, M. (2020, Summer). Implementing the REAL ID Act: Intergovernmental Conflict and Cooperation in Homeland Security Policy. Publius: The Journal of Federalism, 50(3), 398-422. https://doi.org/10.1093/publius/pjaa010 

N.C. Real ID. (2024, June 30). Official NCDMV. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/license-id/nc-real-id/Pages/default.aspx 

REAL ID. (n.d.). Homeland Security. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.dhs.gov/real-idSources