travel id adot

Six Months: The Travel ID will be required in 2023

Arizona Travel ID will be mandatory starting May 2023

PHOENIX — The Arizona Travel ID will be mandatory for travelers starting exactly one year from today.

Beginning on May 3, 2023, you will need a federally compliant ID in order to get through TSA checkpoints at airports for domestic flights, the Arizona Department of Transportation says.

The pandemic caused delays in the process and ultimately pushed back the date.

“Without the Arizona Travel ID or other form of federally-compliant identification such as a valid U.S. Passport, fliers risk missing an airline flight because the standard driver license will not be accepted at TSA checkpoints,” ADOT says.

Identification cards that are federally approved have a gold star in the corner.

You can walk in to get a Travel ID, but ADOT suggests making an appointment first .

You’ll need to bring proof of identity (birth certificate or US passport), social security number, and two documents proving your residency (rental or bank statements, credit card or phone bills) at your current address.

The ID costs $25.

For more information, click here.

RELATED: Arizonans can start adding IDs to virtual Apple Wallet

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Real ID deadline: Here's when Arizonans will need one to fly and how to get yours

Although the deadline for getting a Real ID has been extended, don’t wait too long if you plan to get one.

The federal Real ID Act will take effect for Arizonans on May 7, 2025. When that happens, people must have identification compliant with the act to pass through airport security or enter federal buildings.

As of that date, a standard driver's license or identification card won’t get you through a TSA checkpoint. You will need the enhanced driver's license known as the Arizona Travel ID.

Arizona has issued more than 2.1 million Arizona Travel IDs since their introduction, including 262,083 in 2023, ADOT spokesman William Lamoreaux said.

Here’s how to get a Real ID in Arizona, including all the documentation you need.

Do I need a Real ID to fly in 2024?

No. A valid, state-issued drivers license or identification card is enough to board a domestic flight, for now.

When do you need a Real ID to fly?

Real ID will be required to fly on domestic flights starting May 7, 2025.

The Department of Homeland Security intended to begin enforcing the Real ID Act in May 2023, but it pushed back the deadline by two years.

Officials cited lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on states' abilities to ensure their residents have driver's licenses or identification cards that meet Real ID standards. They said progress was stalled because of licensing agencies' need to work through pandemic backlogs.

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What do I need to get Real ID in Arizona?

To get an Arizona Travel ID, ADOT requires one primary document for proof of birth, two documents for proof of address and a Social Security number.

Acceptable documents for proof of birth include:

• Certified birth certificate.
• U.S. certificate of birth abroad.
• U.S. passport or passport card.
• Permanent resident card or resident alien card.
• Unexpired USCIS employment authorization document.
• I-94 form with an unexpired foreign passport and unexpired U.S. visa.
• U.S. certificate of naturalization.
• U.S. certificate of citizenship.

Acceptable documents for proof of address must be issued from a business, organization or government agency and include your name and residential address. Documents must be in print. These include:

• Utility bills.
• Credit card or bank statements.
• Insurance policies.

What is an enhanced driver's license?

ADOT issues the enhanced Travel ID and standard driver licenses. The difference between the two is the amount of documentation you have to provide to obtain one.

How do I know if I have a Real ID?

The Arizona Travel ID contains a gold or black star on the upper right-hand corner. A standard drivers license has no star.

When Real ID takes effect, standard licenses with no star will no longer be acceptable identification for domestic flights. People without the upgraded license will need to present another form of Real ID-compliant identification.

What if I don’t have a Real ID?

If you don’t switch from a standard driver’s license to the Arizona Travel ID, you will not be able to pass through airport TSA checkpoints without some other acceptable form of identification. These documents fit the Real ID guidelines, according to the Transportation Security Administration:

• 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.
• Permanent resident card.
• Border crossing card.
• State-issued enhanced drivers license.
• 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.

Do children need a Real ID?

Children under 18 don't need Real ID to fly within the U.S., as long as they're accompanied by an adult who does have Real ID, Lamoreaux said.

How much does an Arizona ID cost?

A Real ID-compliant Arizona Travel ID costs $25.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

Deadline is May 7, 2025 for Passengers to Have Federally-Required Real ID to Fly

December 5, 2022.

Starting May 7, 2025, commercial airline passengers ages 18 and older will be required to show identification that complies with the Real ID Act to clear Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at all U.S. airports. After postponing earlier deadlines, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcing the requirement on May 7, 2025.

Arizonans who use their driver’s license or ID card to go through TSA security, should consider getting the voluntary Arizona Travel ID through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division to be assured of having it when enforcement begins. The Travel ID can be combined and used as a driver’s license, but the standard Arizona Driver License does not comply with Real ID security requirements and will not be accepted by TSA as of May 7, 2025. The Travel ID is easily distinguished from a standard ID by a star cutout inside a gold circle in the upper right corner on the front of the card.

To meet security requirements of the Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, applicants for an Arizona Travel ID must provide a Social Security number plus documentation showing your full legal name, date of birth, two proofs of address for your principal residence and your legal status. The cost for the Travel ID is $25 and in most cases it will be valid for up to eight years.

ADOT provides specific information about the voluntary Arizona Travel ID here:

ADOT Arizona Travel ID Info

Other Compliant IDs

While driver’s licenses are the most common ID used at airport checkpoints, other IDs the TSA will accept as Real IDs starting May 3, 2023, are:

• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• A Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card issued by any U.S. state or territory (Compliant IDs have a star incorporated into the design on the front.)
• A Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card (Green Card)
• Border crossing card
• A photo ID issued by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Tohono Oʼodham Nation or another federally recognized tribe
• HSPD-12 PIV card (issued to federal employees and contractors)
• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) issued by the states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington
• Passport issued by a foreign government
• Driver’s licence issued by a Canadian province
• Status card issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
• 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)

IDs must be currently valid and not expired.

Not acceptable as Real IDs are standard state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs, temporary driver’s licenses, weapons permits and any document that includes a notation that it cannot be used as a federal ID.

Real ID FAQs

Updated december 5, 2022, why the concern now about getting a real id.

The countdown clock is ticking with less than six months for passengers to have a compliant Real ID to go through airport TSA checkpoints. A driver’s license or ID is the most frequently used ID at checkpoints and state officials are concerned they will face a crush of last-minute applications for the compliant version, called the Arizona Travel ID, or worse, some passengers won’t know to get one and will be turned away by TSA and unable to board their airline flights as of May 7, 2025 when enforcement begins.

Wait, what? I have to get a new driver's license to fly?

Yes, in a way. It’s not the driver’s license that is changing, it’s the ID part. A Real ID must meet certain security measures as outlined in the Real ID Act. Rather than carry two cards, the compliant ID and your Arizona Driver License are combined into one card. For those who do not drive, it is possible to get only the Travel ID.

Is there any other Real ID I can use at TSA as of May 7, 2025?

Yes, there are several that are listed above on this page. They include passports, passport cards, Trusted Traveler cards, Department of Defense IDs and photo IDs issued by a federally recognized tribe. The TSA has a complete list of other acceptable Real IDs here .

What's required for an Arizona Travel ID?

Applicants for a Real ID must provide a Social Security number and documentation showing your full legal name, date of birth, two proofs of address for your principal residence and your legal status. The Arizona Department of Transportation has more information here .

Where do I start the process for an Arizona Travel ID?

Although the process requires an in-person visit, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division has tried to make it as straightforward as possible. Go to ADOT Arizona Travel ID Info (or click the button above) to get step-by-step instructions, find a checklist of required documents, fill out an application and make an appointment. A map showing locations of both MVD and authorized third-party offices for an Arizona Travel ID is here .

I just renewed my driver's license, is it a Real ID?

In Arizona you will know if it is a Real ID if it has a star cutout inside a gold circle in the upper right corner on the front of the license. The Travel ID is a voluntary option that must be requested. Arizona is continuing to issue a standard driver’s license that is not Real ID compliant.

I cannot use my standard Driver License at TSA?

You can through May 6, 2025. After that you will need a Real ID-compliant identification such as the Arizona Travel ID.

My standard driver's license is not expired, what will happen if I use it at TSA on May 7, 2025?

The TSA says you will not be cleared through the checkpoint.

Doesn't TSA have other ways to prove a person's identity?

Yes, there are procedures to confirm an identity in situations when a person is temporarily without an ID. But a person who doesn’t have a Real ID and never applied for one, cannot be confirmed as someone meeting the requirement to board an aircraft.

I'm an Arizona resident but not a U.S. citizen, can I get a Travel ID?

Yes, you are eligible to apply for an Arizona Travel ID using a Permanent Resident or Resident Alien card (I-551), an unexpired United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or I-94 form with an unexpired foreign passport and an unexpired U.S. Visa (not required for Visa Waiver program participants).

Do children need Real IDs for TSA?

No. Persons 17 and younger traveling with an adult do not need to show an ID. The adult, however, will need to show a Real ID as of May 7, 2025.

Does the Travel ID replace my passport?

No. A passport is still required for international travel and can also be used for Real ID purposes to go through the TSA checkpoint. In terms of hierarchy, a passport could be considered above the Arizona Travel ID, which will get you through the checkpoint. Since the Arizona Travel ID can also be your driver’s license it’s simpler to carry for domestic travel when you don’t otherwise need a passport.

Is there any other reason to get a Real ID, besides using it at TSA?

Certain federal facilities, including most under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, will also require Real ID-compliant identification to gain access.

I'm not going to fly and I'm not in the military, is there any problem keeping my standard Arizona Driver License?

No, that is your prerogative. In fact, in Arizona the default is to issue a standard Driver License or ID. The Arizona Travel ID is voluntary and must be requested.

Can I decide later if I want to get a Travel ID?

Yes. May 7, 2025, is when enforcement will start but if you don’t see a need for a Travel ID until later, you can wait. Just remember that under normal circumstances it will take about 15 days for you to receive your Arizona Travel ID once your application has been submitted. If there is high demand that time will increase.

Is the government using Real ID information to build a national databank?

No. Real ID is a national set of security standards, not a national identification card. The Department of Homeland Security points out that each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique ID or license, maintain its own records and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. The purpose of Real ID is to make identity documents more consistent and secure.

Is there a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip in an Arizona Travel ID?

No. ADOT says state law prohibits the Travel ID from containing a RFID chip.

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Watch CBS News

You'll soon need a Real ID to fly in U.S. Here's how to get one.

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

Updated on: August 21, 2024 / 3:43 PM EDT / CBS News

Flying within the U.S. will soon require an extra document that's more secure than a state-issued driver's license or ID if you don't want to lug around your passport with you. 

Beginning in May of next year, all U.S. travelers will be required to have the official document, known as a Real ID, on hand when traveling domestically by air. As an alternative, they may carry their passports with them. 

The initiative is a long time coming. It was initially slated for enforcement beginning in May 2023, but the deadline was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Here's everything you need to know, including what is required to apply, and how and where to do so. 

What is a Real ID?

It's essentially an enhanced form of identification which, beginning May 7, 2025, will be required to access certain federal facilities, board commercial aircraft, and enter nuclear power plants, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, establishes minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses, permits, and ID cards. It's designed to reduce identity fraud, as it also prohibits Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel from accepting cards that don't meet the new minimum standards, according to the DHS.

Who needs one?

Any traveler who is 18 years or older who plans to fly domestically or visit certain federal facilities will require a Real ID, or an alternative acceptable form of identification, such as a passport. Beginning May 7, 2025, TSA will only accept Real ID cards with the compliant star marking. A handful of states including Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont are issuing Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) with a flag marking, which also meet Real ID standards. 

Do I have a Real ID?

All Real IDs have a star marking in their top right corner. 

If you recently renewed your driver's license, it could be an Enhanced Driver's License, or EDL, which also meets Real ID standards. Check the top right corner of your license for an American flag, indicating it is Real ID-compliant. If it doesn't have the stamp, it is not in compliance with the act. 

How do I get one?

All U.S. states are issuing Real ID cards through their driver's licensing agencies, with requirements varying by state. Many offices require a reservation, which you can make online.

Visit the DHS website , and click on your state of residence for specific instructions on how to apply, as well as what documents you'll need to bring with you to your appointment. Typically you'll need your social security card, proof of citizenship, and multiple proofs of residence.

How much does it cost?

There is no additional fee for a Real ID, but standard DMV processing fees do apply. Getting an enhanced ID costs $30. 

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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Driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet are coming soon to California

Security and Privacy

Text of this article

August 15, 2024

IDs in Apple Wallet will offer Californians an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver’s licenses and state IDs with an iPhone and Apple Watch

Californians will soon be able to add their driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet, providing a seamless and secure way to present driver’s licenses or state IDs using just an iPhone or Apple Watch.

“We’re excited to be working with the state of California to bring IDs in Apple Wallet to Apple’s home state soon, and provide residents with an easy, secure, and private way to present their California driver’s license and state ID in person and in app using Apple Wallet,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. “Whether using IDs in Apple Wallet to breeze through travel, or to securely verify age or identity at businesses, California driver’s licenses and state IDs in Apple Wallet make ID presentment seamless — all with the security built into iPhone and Apple Watch.”

Users with an ID in Apple Wallet can use their iPhone or Apple Watch to present their ID in person at select TSA security checkpoints and businesses, as well as in select apps to verify their age or identity.

Apple Wallet uses the privacy and security features that are built into iPhone and Apple Watch to help protect a user’s identity and personal information. When adding an ID to Apple Wallet, the state-issuing authority receives only information they need to approve or deny adding the driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet.

When presenting a driver’s license and state ID in Apple Wallet, only the information needed for the transaction is presented, and users will need to review and authorize using Face ID or Touch ID before the information is shared. Users do not need to unlock, show, or hand over their device to present their ID.

A user’s ID information is encrypted and stored only on their device, so others, including Apple, cannot access it unless a user chooses to present it. Apple and the state-issuing authority do not know when or where or with whom a user presents their driver’s license or state ID, and Apple doesn’t see or retain any presentment information that can be tied back to a user. If a user misplaces their iPhone or Apple Watch, they can use the Find My app to lock their device and help locate it, or remotely erase it.

Today, IDs in Apple Wallet are available in five other states: Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, Georgia, and most recently, Ohio.

For more information on IDs in Wallet, visit learn.wallet.apple/id .

The launch will be a part of the California DMV’s mDL pilot program. More information on California’s mDL pilot can be found at dmv.ca.gov/mDL .

Press Contacts

Kimberly Mai

[email protected]

Apple Media Helpline

[email protected]

What's next for Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines merger, how it could impact future flights

Even if approved by the Department of Transportation, it could take years.

Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are one step closer to closing a $1.9 billion deal that would mark the largest consolidation of any U.S. carrier since 2016.

The deadline for regulatory review by the Department of Justice expired earlier this week without any interference, meaning the two companies have cleared the first major hurdle for their merger plans, which were first announced last December .

In order for the deal to move forward, it will need to pass scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Transportation -- a customary closing condition -- which includes an interim exemption application.

The Justice Department has already been skeptical of airline partnerships and most recently blocked the proposed merger of JetBlue and Spirit.

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While it's not immediately clear how long the approvals process could take, experts have said it can take years for the behind-the-scenes logistics to settle into place.

Pending the remaining approvals, this acquisition would be the second for Alaska Airlines within the past decade, after it beat out JetBlue in a bidding war for Virgin America.

Under the proposed Hawaiian-Alaska merger, both airlines would remain intact and continue to operate under their current names.

Alaska Airlines statement on next steps for Hawaiian merger

"This is a significant milestone in the process to join our airlines," the SeaTac, Washington-based carrier announced in a statement this week. "During the HSR [Hart–Scott–Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act] time period, Alaska worked closely with the Hawai'i Attorney General to reinforce and expand upon our commitments for the future of Hawaiian Airlines and to Hawai'i consumers. These include plans to maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand and local jobs and continue providing strong service between, to, and from the Islands."

The airline also said that following the potential next steps, "we will complete work to close the transaction, and proceed with integrating the two companies, welcoming Hawaiian Airlines guests and employees into Alaska Air Group, and expanding benefits and choice for consumers throughout Hawai'i, the Asia-Pacific region, continental United States and globally."

Governor of Hawaii comments on possible airline merger

After the latest details on the merger were released, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said in a statement that he and his staff have worked with Alaska Airlines leadership over the past few months "to carefully review the potential impacts of a consolidation, and we insisted that any changes expand travel options for our residents and preserve union jobs."

"Alaska has reinforced commitments to our state and will maintain the Hawaiian Airlines brand, preserve and grow union jobs in our Hawai'i, as well as continue to provide crucial passenger and air cargo service to, from, and within the islands," he said. "The merger will vastly expand the number of destinations throughout North America for Hawai'i residents that can be reached nonstop or one-stop from the islands, and HawaiianMiles members will retain the value of their miles while gaining access to more destinations around the world."

Green added that he's "confident" this merger would "offer more travel options for Hawai'i residents and local businesses" and "enhance competition across the U.S. airline industry."

What a merger of Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines means for travelers

The travel experts at Going.com -- formerly Scott's Cheap Flights -- weighed in on the possible deal and what it could potentially mean for customers.

"Competition between airlines is the single biggest cause of cheap flights. A merger between two airlines -- whose route maps have a portion of flights that overlap -- would result not in more cheap flights for consumers but, to some extent, fewer," Katy Nastro, a spokesperson for Going, told ABC News.

Additionally, the team of experts believe that certain markets may be affected worse than others.

"The Justice Department did not require concessions, meaning that Alaska could eventually make some cuts on routes that consistently underperform, such as the inter-island routes," she explained.

There has been no official statement from the airline about when or where any possible changes to routes would take place.

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