Written by L. M. Land, photo courtesy of Michigan Department of State
Planning on flying this year? As of May 7, 2025, you are not be allowed to board a plane without your Real ID or a passport, which can be obtained at the Secretary of State office.
Real ID is needed to board a plane if you are 18+ years old. A passport is still effective to board a plane if you have one. If you are lacking either of these, don’t wait until the last minute to get yours!
A Real ID is a driver’s license or ID accepted for boarding domestic flights and accessing federal facilities. Nationally, it will have a gold circle with a star inside on the card. In Michigan, a gold image of our state on the upper right corner will have the star in it.
Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) is also used for domestic flights and federal facilities, but is also a passport substitute for returning to the US from only Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean by land or sea. It will have an image of the U.S. flag and the word “Enhanced” at the top of the card. A REAL ID is returning from the U.S. from the countries listed above.
To get a REAL ID-compliant license for the first-time or EDL, an office visit might be needed. Go to https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/enhanced-license-and-id for more detailed information about your individual situation.
Documents you might need to present include the following documents:
- Social Security number, address and/or card
- A birth certificate or passport
- Tax forms such as a W-2
- Two proofs of address.
- If you’ve changed your name through marriage, you’ll need your marriage certificate.
- Each person has unique circumstances, and may require different documentation.
Michigan driver’s license also has a new design. The new license or ID design will be given to you when renewing or replacing your current card. There is no additional cost for the new card and all valid features, designations, and endorsements on a current license or ID will transfer to the new one.
Michigan’s old card design featuring the Mackinac Bridge is valid until expiration and will phase out over the next four years.
Enhanced licenses and IDs in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington are considered REAL ID-compliant and are acceptable for domestic travel.
There is no additional fee for a REAL ID, but there is an additional fee for an EDL.
If you are traveling internationally, you will still need your passport.
If you are traveling domestically, you will only need one valid form of identification – either your REAL ID, EDL or another acceptable alternative such as a passport.
REAL ID cards cannot be used for international sea cruise travel. According to the TSA website, it is accepted for domestic cruises going to United States territories.
If you are planning a trip this year, research now so you won’t be left behind!
In summary, both REAL ID and EDL are accepted for domestic travel and accessing federal facilities, but EDL is also accepted for limited border crossings.
See the resources below for more detailed information.
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/all-services/enhanced-license-and-id
https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they
For more information on acceptable alternative forms of identification for boarding aircraft, please visit TSA’s website at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.
Michigan Secretary of State office: 888.767.6424
