View source for Real ID Act

{{short description|United States law for identity documents}}
{{redirect|Real ID|another use|Battle.net}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025 |cs1-dates=ll}}
{{Infobox U.S. legislation
| shorttitle = Real ID Act of 2005
| longtitle = An Act to establish and rapidly implement regulations for [[Driver's licenses in the United States|state driver's license]] and identification document security standards, to prevent terrorists from abusing the asylum laws of the United States, to unify terrorism-related grounds for inadmissibility and removal, and to ensure expeditious construction of the [[Mexico–United States barrier|San Diego border fence]].
| enacted by = 109th
| effective date = '''Immigration provisions:'''<br>May 11, 2005<br>'''Identification document provisions:'''<br>May 11, 2008 (original)<br>April 21, 2014–January 22, 2018 (state-based)<br>May 7, 2025–May 5, 2027 (card-based)
| public law url = http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-119/pdf/STATUTE-119-Pg231.pdf
| cite public law = 109-13
| cite statutes at large = {{usstat|119|302}}
| acts repealed = [[Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act]] §§ 5402, 5403, 7212
| sections amended = '''Immigration provisions:'''<br>{{USC|8|1101}}, {{USC|8|1103|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1153|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1157|1159|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1182|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1184|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1227|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1230|1231|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1252|notitle=1}}, {{USC|8|1356|notitle=1}}<br>'''Identification document provisions:'''<br>{{USC|49|30301}} note
| introducedin = House
| introducedbill = {{USBill|109|H.R.|418}}
| introducedby = [[Jim Sensenbrenner]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]–[[Wisconsin|WI]])
| introduceddate = January 26, 2005
| committees = [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary]], [[United States House Committee on Homeland Security|House Homeland Security]], [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform|House Government Reform]], [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Senate Judiciary]]
| passedbody1 = House
| passeddate1 = February 10, 2005
| passedvote1 = [https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll031.xml 261–161]; appended to {{USBill|109|H.R.|1268}}, passed [https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll077.xml 388–43] on March 16, 2005
| passedbody2 = Senate
| passeddate2 = April 21, 2005
| passedvote2 = [https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1091/vote_109_1_00109.htm 99–0], as part of {{USBill|109|H.R.|1268}}
| conferencedate = May 3, 2005
| passedbody3 = House
| passeddate3 = May 5, 2005
| passedvote3 = [https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2005/roll161.xml 368–58]
| passedbody4 = Senate
| passeddate4 = May 10, 2005
| passedvote4 = [https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1091/vote_109_1_00117.htm 100–0]
| signedpresident = [[George W. Bush]]
| signeddate = May 11, 2005
| amendments = [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-110publ177/pdf/PLAW-110publ177.pdf Court Security Improvement Act of 2007] § 508<br>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-115publ323/pdf/PLAW-115publ323.pdf Real ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act]<br>[[CARES Act]] [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ136/pdf/PLAW-116publ136.pdf (PDF)] § 16006<br>[[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021]] [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-116publ260/pdf/PLAW-116publ260.pdf (PDF)] § 1001
| SCOTUS cases = {{ubl|''[[Kucana v. Holder]]'', {{ussc|558|233|2010}}|''[[Guerrero-Lasprilla v. Barr]]'', {{ussc|docket=18-776|volume=589|date=2020}}|''[[Nasrallah v. Barr]]'', {{ussc|docket=18-1432|volume=590|date=2020}}|''[[Wilkinson v. Garland]]'', {{ussc|docket=22-666|volume=601|year=2024}}}}
}}

The '''Real ID Act of 2005''' is a United States federal law that standardized requirements for [[Driver's licenses in the United States|driver's licenses]] and [[State identification card|identification card]]s issued by [[List of states and territories of the United States|US states and territories]] in order to be accepted for accessing US government facilities, [[nuclear power plant]]s, and for boarding [[airline]] flights in the [[United States]].

The requirements include verification of the personal information presented when applying for the identification document, security features on the document, and electronic sharing of databases between states. The act also made modifications to [[Title 8 of the United States Code|US immigration law]] regarding [[Right of asylum|asylum]], [[border]] security, [[deportation]], and specific work [[Travel visa|visas]].<ref name=law>{{USBill|109|H.R.|1268}}, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief, 2005, United States Congress.</ref>

Enacted in response to the [[September 11 attacks]], the provisions regarding identification documents were originally intended to take effect in 2008, but enforcement was repeatedly delayed due to widespread opposition and refusal by many state governments to implement them.<ref name=history>{{cite journal |doi=10.1093/publius/pjaa010|title=Implementing the REAL ID Act: Intergovernmental Conflict and Cooperation in Homeland Security Policy |year=2020 |last1=Krajewska |first1=Magdalena |journal=Publius: The Journal of Federalism |volume=50 |issue=3 |pages=398–422 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Eventually states began to comply in 2012, and enforcement based on the issuing state or territory began from 2014 to 2018 depending on the facility. After numerous extensions, by 2020, all states were certified as compliant, and by 2024, all territories were certified. Enforcement based on the identification documents began on May 7, 2025, and is scheduled to be implemented in phases until complete enforcement begins on May 5, 2027.<ref name=fr2025>{{USFR|90|3472}}, Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes; Phased Approach for Card-Based Enforcement, January 14, 2025.</ref>

==Legislative history==
In the [[United States]], [[Driver's licenses in the United States|driver licenses]] and [[identification card]]s issued by the [[List of states and territories of the United States|states and territories]] are widely used as a form of identification. Before the Real ID Act, each state and territory set its own rules for issuing such cards, including what documents must be provided to obtain one, what information was displayed on the card, and its security features.<ref name=history/>

In response to the [[September 11 attacks]], the [[Federal government of the United States|US government]] established the [[9/11 Commission]] to provide recommendations to prevent future attacks. In [[9/11 Commission Report|its report]], issued in July 2004, one of the commission's many recommendations was establishing federal standards for identification documents.<ref>[https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-911REPORT/pdf/GPO-911REPORT.pdf The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States], U.S. Government Publishing Office, July 22, 2004. Page 390.</ref> In December 2004, the [[Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act]] (IRTPA), enacted to implement the commission's recommendations, directed the [[United States Secretary of Transportation|Secretary of Transportation]] to form a [[negotiated rulemaking]] committee with representatives from state governments and the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]], to issue regulations establishing standards for identification documents issued by the states, and prohibited [[List of federal agencies in the United States|federal agencies]] from accepting identification documents that did not conform to these standards.<ref>{{USPL|108|458|Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004}} § 7212.</ref>

In February 2005, less than two months after IRTPA was enacted, the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] passed the Real ID Act as H.R. 418, introduced by Representative [[Jim Sensenbrenner]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-[[Wisconsin|WI]]). The bill would repeal the provisions regarding identification documents in IRTPA, replace them with a version that would set the federal standards directly rather than in negotiation with the states, and would make various changes to [[Title 8 of the United States Code|US immigration law]] regarding [[Right of asylum|asylum]], [[border]] security and [[deportation]].<ref>{{USBill|109|H.R.|418}}, REAL ID Act of 2005, United States Congress.</ref> In March, the text of the Real ID Act was appended as a [[Rider (legislation)|rider]] on an [[omnibus spending bill]], H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the [[War on terror|Global War on Terror]], and Tsunami Relief 2005, which was passed by the House. The [[United States Senate|Senate]] removed the Real ID Act from the bill, added sections regarding [[Travel visa|visas]] for workers, and passed it in April. In May, the [[United States congressional conference committee|conference report]] merging the bill versions, including the Real ID Act added by the House and the visa sections added by the Senate, was agreed to by both houses, and the bill was signed into law by President [[George W. Bush]] on May 11, 2005.<ref name=law/> The identification document provisions of the Real ID Act were codified as a note in [[Title 49 of the United States Code|48 USC.]] § 30301.<ref name=codified>{{USC|49|30301}}, Notes, Improved Security for Drivers' Licenses and Personal Identification Cards.</ref>

Although the title of the law has the term REAL ID in [[all capitals]], it does not provide a meaning for REAL as an [[acronym]].<ref name=law/> ID is a common acronym for [[identity document]].

===Amendments===
On January 7, 2008, the Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 specified that [[Federal judiciary of the United States|federal judges]] could use their court address instead of their residential address on their identification documents for purposes of the Real ID Act.<ref>{{USPL|110|177|Court Security Improvement Act of 2007}} § 508.</ref>

On December 17, 2018, Congress amended the Real ID Act to remove an outdated reference to the [[Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands]] (terminated in 1994) and to clarify that citizens of its successor [[Compact of Free Association|Freely Associated States]] ([[Marshall Islands]], [[Federated States of Micronesia|Micronesia]] and [[Palau]]) were eligible for driver licenses and identification cards when admitted to the United States.<ref>{{USBill|115|H.R.|3398}}, United States Congress.</ref><ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr3398/summary H.R. 3398 (115th): Real ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act], Govtrack.</ref>

On March 27, 2020, the [[CARES Act]], enacted in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], extended the deadline for states to comply with the Real ID Act to at least September 30, 2021.<ref>{{USPL|116|136|Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act}} § 16006.</ref>

On December 27, 2020, the [[Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021]] amended the Real ID Act to accept electronic versions of identification documents, and to exempt states from requiring applicants to provide documentation of their [[Social Security number]], such as their Social Security card.<ref name=amend2020>{{USPL|116|260|Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021}} § 1001.</ref> In states that chose not to require such documentation, applicants were still required to provide their Social Security number, which states would verify directly with the [[Social Security Administration]].<ref name=faqs>[https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions], U.S. Department of Homeland Security, September 28, 2022.</ref> The amendment also repealed federal funds that the original law had provided for states to assist in their compliance.<ref name=law/><ref name=amend2020/>

==Provisions==
===Identification documents===
The Real ID Act prohibits federal agencies from accepting driver licenses and identification cards issued by US states and territories that do not satisfy certain standards, for accessing federal government facilities, nuclear power plants, and for boarding airline flights in the United States. The standards require that:<ref name=codified/>
* The person applying for an identification document must provide documentation of the person's full name, date of birth, and residential address; a Social Security number or documentation that the person is not eligible for one; and documentation that the person is a [[United States nationality law|US national]] or a foreign national legally present in the United States.
* The state or territory must capture a photograph of the applicant, store digital images of the documents presented by the applicant, and verify the documents directly with the authorities that issued them. For example, the [[Social Security number]] must be verified with the [[Social Security Administration]], and the legal presence of foreign nationals must be verified with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the [[Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements]] (SAVE).
* The state or territory must confirm that any existing identification document of the applicant issued by another state or territory is terminated; limit the validity of identification documents to eight years; implement background checks and fraud prevention programs for employees issuing identification documents; maintain an electronic database of identification documents issued, including driver histories and violations, and provide access to it to all other states and territories.
* The identification document must display the person's full name, date of birth, gender, photograph, address, signature, document number, security features, and machine-readable technology.

The Real ID regulations, issued by DHS, clarified some of the verification requirements:<ref name=regulations>{{USCFR|6|37}}, Real ID driver's licenses and identification cards.</ref><ref name=fr2008>{{USFR|73|5271}}, Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes, January 29, 2008.</ref>
* Applicants must provide at least two documents showing their address, but these documents do not need to be verified further.
* Birth certificates must be verified through the Electronic Verification of Vital Events (EVVE) system maintained by the [[National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems]] (NAPHSIS), rather than the authority that issued the certificate.
* US passports and US visas on foreign passports must be verified with the [[United States Department of State|Department of State]], but the foreign passports themselves do not need to be verified with the issuing authority.

The system used to share databases of identification documents between states and territories is the State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service, supported by the State Pointer Exchange Services (SPEXS) platform, developed by the [[American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators]] (AAMVA) with federal funds.<ref name=s2s>{{cite web |title=State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service |url=https://www.aamva.org/technology/systems/driver-licensing-systems/state-to-state-verification-service-(s2s) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=October 26, 2022}}</ref> Although the Real ID Act requires that states and territories share their databases, this requirement was not included in the DHS criteria to certify their compliance.<ref name=regulations/><ref name=cato>{{cite web |last1=Harper |first1=Jim |title=What Is Real REAL ID Compliance?|url=http://www.cato.org/blog/what-real-real-id-compliance |publisher=Cato Institute |access-date=February 24, 2016}}</ref>

States and territories are still allowed to issue identification documents that do not satisfy the Real ID requirements, but in this case, the document must state that it may not be accepted for federal purposes.<ref name=codified/>

===Immigration===
====Asylum====
The Real ID Act increased the [[Burden of proof (law)|burden of proof]] for individuals applying for [[Right of asylum|asylum]]. It authorized immigration judges to require that applicants present evidence for their asylum claim, if available, in addition to their testimony and to determine the credibility of witnesses based on their demeanor, plausibility, and consistency. The law also eliminated the numerical limit on individuals granted asylum, previously set at 10,000 per year.<ref name=law/>

====Border security====
The [[Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996]] had provided for improvements to the [[Mexico–United States barrier|border barrier]] near [[San Diego]], with a waiver of two specific environmental laws, the [[National Environmental Policy Act]] and the [[Endangered Species Act of 1973]], which could otherwise prevent construction in the area.<ref>{{USPL|104|208|Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996}} § 102.</ref> The Real ID Act expanded this provision, allowing a waiver of any laws that could interfere with the construction.<ref name=law/> Later, the [[Secure Fence Act of 2006]] and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 extended this provision to a much longer portion of the [[Mexico–United States border]].<ref>{{USPL|109|367|Secure Fence Act of 2006}} § 3.</ref><ref>{{USPL|110|161|Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008}} § 564.</ref>

Other sections of the Real ID Act ordered some reports and pilot projects related to border security.<ref name=law/>

====Inadmissibility and deportation====
The Real ID Act expanded the grounds for inadmissibility and [[deportation]] of foreign nationals based on [[terrorist]] activities, including membership in terrorist organizations, endorsement or espousal of such activities, and receipt of military-type training from or on behalf of these groups. It also barred individuals deemed inadmissible on these grounds from challenging their deportation orders through [[habeas corpus]], [[mandamus]], or other petitions for judicial review.<ref name=law/><ref>Garcia, Michael John, and Ruth Ellen Wasem. "Immigration: Terrorist Grounds for Exclusion and Removal of Aliens." ''Congressional Research Service'', updated July 2, 2008. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc461976/</ref>

====Work visas====
The Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005, added to the Real ID Act during its congressional passage, allowed foreign nationals who had an [[H-2B visa]] for temporary workers in any of the previous three years to apply as returning workers without counting toward the annual limit of that visa category.<ref name=law/>

A section of the Real ID Act created the [[E-3 visa]], a type of work visa for nationals of [[Australia]] and their dependents, with an annual limit of 10,500.<ref name=law/>

The last section of the Real ID Act allocated up to 50,000 previously unused employment-based immigration visas for new applicants to work as physical therapists, nurses, or with exceptional ability in sciences or arts.<ref name=law/><ref>{{USCFR|20|656|5}}, Schedule A.</ref>

==Implementation==
The Real ID Act, enacted on May 11, 2005, specified that after three years, from May 11, 2008, federal agencies would no longer accept identification documents that did not satisfy the standards.<ref name=law/> However, due to widespread opposition and refusal by many state governments to implement the provisions, the deadline was extended numerous times.<ref name=history/>

On January 29, 2008, DHS issued the Real ID regulations, specifying a gradual implementation schedule. Until May 11, 2008, states and territories would have to comply with the Real ID Act or request an extension, valid until December 31, 2009, and they could later request an additional extension to May 11, 2011. Documents issued by states and territories that were certified as compliant or that were granted an extension would continue to be accepted, even if the documents themselves did not satisfy the standards, until December 1, 2014, for people born after December 1, 1964, or until December 1, 2017, for others. After these last deadlines, identification documents themselves would have to satisfy the standards to be accepted by federal agencies.<ref name=fr2008/>

On March 7, 2011, DHS extended the deadline for states and territories to become compliant to January 15, 2013, but all identification documents continued to be accepted during 2013. On December 29, 2014, DHS extended the deadline for documents to satisfy the standards to October 1, 2020, regardless of age.<ref>{{USFR|79|77836}}, Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes, December 29, 2014.</ref>

Enforcement based on the issuing state or territory finally began in 2014 and 2015 for accessing federal facilities and in 2018 for boarding airline flights:<ref>[https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/REAL%20ID%20Act%20of%202005%20Implementation%20-%20An%20ISC%20Guide%202019.pdf REAL ID Act of 2005 Implementation: An Interagency Security Committee Guide], Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, 2019.</ref>
* April 21, 2014: DHS headquarters at the [[Nebraska Avenue Complex]] in [[Washington, D.C.]]
* July 21, 2014: areas of federal facilities and nuclear power plants accessible only to employees, contractors, and guests
* January 19, 2015: areas of federal facilities accessible to the general public with identification, at facility security levels 1 and 2
* October 10, 2015: areas of federal facilities accessible to the general public with identification at facility security levels 3, 4, and 5, and military facilities
* January 22, 2018: boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft (airline flights)

After the deadlines, only identification documents issued by states and territories that were certified as compliant with the Real ID Act or granted an extension were accepted. Between 2014 and 2018, some states and territories were not compliant and did not have an extension, resulting in their identification documents not being accepted for accessing federal facilities during some periods. However, from 2018 all states and territories were compliant or continuously maintained extensions, so their identification documents remained accepted for boarding airline flights.<ref name=history/>

Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], on April 27, 2020, the extended deadline after which identification documents would have to satisfy the Real ID Act standards to be accepted by federal agencies was again extended, by one year to October 1, 2021. On May 3, 2021, it was extended to May 3, 2023;<ref>{{USFR|86|23237}}, Minimum Standards for Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards Acceptable by Federal Agencies for Official Purposes, May 3, 2021.</ref> on December 5, 2022, it was extended to May 7, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/12/05/dhs-announces-extension-real-id-full-enforcement-deadline |date=December 5, 2022 |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security}}</ref>

On January 14, 2025, the [[Transportation Security Administration]] maintained in principle the deadline of May 7, 2025, but allowed flexible enforcement, for example by warning holders of noncompliant documents rather than refusing them altogether, until May 5, 2027.<ref name=fr2025/>

===State certifications===
[[File:REAL ID Act compliance.svg|thumb|300px|alt=Map of states according to compliance with the Real ID Act|Real ID Act compliance by year of DHS certification.
{|
|style="width:70px"|
{{legend|#666FD7|2012}}
{{legend|#00AAF2|2013}}
{{legend|#20CC9C|2014}}
{{legend|#36DA32|2016}}
{{legend|#96E71D|2017}}
|valign=top|
{{legend|#FBD600|2018}}
{{legend|#FF9826|2019}}
{{legend|#FF4726|2020}}
{{legend|#C80F18|2021}}
{{legend|#880015|2024}}
|}]]

DHS began certifying states as compliant in 2012.<ref name=cert2014>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions |title=REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419051533/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id-frequently-asked-questions |archive-date=April 19, 2020 |at="DHS issued the first Determinations of Compliance for states in December 2012"; "Twenty-three states received DHS Determinations of Compliance from 2012 through 2014"}}</ref> Adoption slowed after 2013 but increased significantly in 2018 and 2019, as the final phase of implementation approached and states were faced with potential air travel restrictions for their residents. DHS completed certification of all states by 2020, and of all territories by 2024.<ref>[https://www.dhs.gov/real-id Real ID], U.S. Department of Homeland Security.</ref>

The Real ID Act requires that states and territories share their ID and driver history databases with each other, but this requirement was not included in the DHS certification criteria.<ref name=regulations/><ref name=cato/> The State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service, used to share ID databases, was implemented in 2015,<ref name=s2s/> and the feature used to share driver history records (DHR) was implemented in 2022. {{As of|2025}}, 43 jurisdictions were participating in S2S,<ref>{{cite web |title=IT Systems Participation Map |url=https://www.aamva.org/it-systems-participation-map?id=576 |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref> and 34 in DHR.<ref name=s2sme>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/maine-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-and-driver-history-record |title=Maine Joins State-to-State Verification Service and Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=December 16, 2024}}</ref><ref name=dhrwa>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/washington-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record |title=Washington Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=February 19, 2025}}</ref><ref name=dhrpa>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/pennsylvania-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record;-new-mexico,-pennsylvan |title=Pennsylvania Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record; New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Virginia Implement NRII Solution |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=May 5, 2025}}</ref><ref name=dhrhi>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/hawaii-to-join-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record-and-implement-nrii-solution |title=Hawaii to Join State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record and Implement NRII Solution |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=May 14, 2025}}</ref><ref name=dhrks>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/aamva-seeks-identity-management-program-managers-7a08fdf810ab0cdba2f2cffa2f280e6b |title=Kansas Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record; Indiana, Kansas and West Virginia Implement NRII Solution |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=June 2, 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:small; line-height:1.3"
! State or territory !! Real ID certification !! S2S implementation !! DHR implementation
|-
|{{flaglist|Colorado}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/news/2012/12/20/dhs-determines-13-states-meet-real-id-standards |title=DHS determines 13 states meet Real ID standards |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |date=December 20, 2012}}</ref> || January 28, 2020<ref name=s2s2021>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/State-to-State/ |title=State-to-State (S2S) Verification Services |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001143413/https://www.aamva.org/State-to-State/ |archive-date=October 1, 2021}}</ref> || March 11, 2024<ref name=dhrcorisd>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/co,-ri,-and-sd-join-state-to-state-driver-history-record;-co,-ri,-and-tx-successfully-complete-exclu |title=CO, RI, and SD Join State-to-State Driver History Record; CO, RI, and TX Successfully Complete Exclusive Electronic Exchange Structured Testing |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Connecticut}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Delaware}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || December 19, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || June 10, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/delaware-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record |title=Delaware Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=June 10, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Georgia (US state)|name=Georgia}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || January 19, 2021<ref name=s2s2021/> || September 18, 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/2023/September2023/GA-Joins-S2S-DHR.pdf |title=Georgia becomes the 14th State to join S2S Driver History Record (DHR) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Indiana}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || February 15, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || February 20, 2024<ref name=dhrinne>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/nebraska-and-indiana-join-state-to-state-driver-history-record |title=Nebraska and Indiana Join State-to-State Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=February 20, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Iowa}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || May 23, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Maryland}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || February 1, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || August 22, 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news |title=Maryland to Join State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703165548/https://aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news |archive-date=July 3, 2022}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Ohio}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || April 19, 2021<ref name=s2s2021/> || July 31, 2023<ref name=dhrohar>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/arkansas-and-ohio-join-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record |title=Arkansas and Ohio Join State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=July 31, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|South Dakota}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || October 3, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || March 11, 2024<ref name=dhrcorisd/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Tennessee}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || March 5, 2018<ref name=s2s2021/> || April 10, 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/2023/April2023/TN_Joins_S2S_DHR.pdf |title=Tennessee becomes the 10th State to join S2S Driver History Record (DHR) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|West Virginia}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Wisconsin}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || August 10, 2015<ref name=s2s2021/> || April 11, 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/subfolder5/WIGoLiveHelpdesk.pdf |title=AAMVA congratulates Wisconsin on successfully implementing S2S DHR |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Wyoming}} || December 20, 2012<ref name=cert2012/> || November 21, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Nebraska}} || February 15, 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://downloads.regulations.gov/DHS-2019-0056-0048/attachment_1.pdf |title=Request for Information, Docket No. DHS-2019-0056 |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles |date=December 9, 2019}}</ref> || October 17, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || February 20, 2024<ref name=dhrinne/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Alabama}} || data-sort-value="February 28, 2013"|by February 28, 2013<ref name=cert2013>{{cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nineteen-jurisdictions-now-meet-federal-real-id-rules-13-of-the-way-there-193828471.html |title=Nineteen Jurisdictions Now Meet Federal REAL ID Rules: 1/3 of the Way There |publisher=PR Newswire |date=February 28, 2013}}</ref> || April 25, 2022<ref name=s2sal>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/AL_S2SDHR_GoLive.pdf |title=AAMVA Congratulates Alabama on a Successful S2S DHR Launch |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref> || April 25, 2022<ref name=s2sal/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Florida}} || data-sort-value="February 28, 2013"|by February 28, 2013<ref name=cert2013/> || January 17, 2023<ref name=s2sfl>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/2023/January2023/FL_S2S_DHR_GoLive_01172023.pdf |title=Florida Becomes the 38th State to Join State-To-State Verification Service (S2S) and 8th State to Join S2S Driver History Record (DHR) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref> || January 17, 2023<ref name=s2sfl/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Kansas}} || data-sort-value="February 28, 2013"|by February 28, 2013<ref name=cert2013/> || December 14, 2020<ref name=s2s2021/> || June 2, 2025<ref name=dhrks/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Utah}} || data-sort-value="February 28, 2013"|by February 28, 2013<ref name=cert2013/> || January 28, 2019<ref name=s2s2021/> || March 13, 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news |title=Utah To Join State-to-State Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207233936/https://aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news |archive-date=February 7, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Vermont}} || data-sort-value="February 28, 2013"|by February 28, 2013<ref name=cert2013/> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Hawaii}} || September 9, 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hidot.hawaii.gov/blog/2018/01/09/upcoming-change-to-hawaiis-real-id-compliant-credentials/ |title=Upcoming change to Hawaii's Real ID compliant credentials |publisher=Hawaii Department of Transportation |date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> || December 12, 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/2022/HIToJoinS2S.pdf |title=Hawaii To Begin Using S2S Functionality |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref> || May 19, 2025<ref name=dhrhi/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Mississippi}} || data-sort-value="December 20, 2013"|by December 20, 2013<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/archive/news/2013/12/20/dhs-releases-phased-enforcement-schedule-real-id |title=DHS Releases Phased Enforcement Schedule for Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |date=December 20, 2013}}</ref> || April 8, 2019<ref name=s2s2021/> || April 29, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/mississippi-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record-and-massachusetts-succes |title=Mississippi Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record and Massachusetts Successfully Completes Exclusive Electronic Exchange Structured Testing |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=April 29, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|District of Columbia}} || data-sort-value="December 31, 2014"|by December 31, 2014<ref name=cert2014/><ref name=cert2016>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories |title=Current status of states/territories |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107234412/https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories |archive-date=January 7, 2016}}</ref> || September 30, 2024<ref name=s2sdc>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/district-of-columbia-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-and-driver-history-record |title=District of Columbia Joins State-to-State Verification Service and Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=September 30, 2024}}</ref> || September 30, 2024<ref name=s2sdc/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Nevada}} || data-sort-value="December 31, 2014"|by December 31, 2014<ref name=cert2014/><ref name=cert2016/> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Arizona}} || data-sort-value="July 12, 2016"|by July 12, 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories |title=Current status of states/territories |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713025856/https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories |archive-date=July 13, 2016}}</ref> || February 27, 2017<ref name=s2s2021/> || September 16, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/arizona-to-join-state-to-state-driver-history-record-4891f91c06b24de17ba7cab16cb7f87d |title=Arizona to Join State-to-State Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=September 9, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Arkansas}} || data-sort-value="December 8, 2016"|by December 8, 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories |title=Current status of states/territories |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209032753/https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories |archive-date=December 9, 2016}}</ref> || June 6, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || July 31, 2023<ref name=dhrohar/>
|-
|{{flaglist|New Mexico}} || December 22, 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=https://reports.saonm.org/media/audits/333_Taxation__Revenue_Department_FY2017.pdf |title=Financial statements and report of independent auditors |page=14 |publisher=Taxation and Revenue Department of New Mexico |date=June 30, 2017}}</ref> || June 18, 2018<ref name=s2s2021/> || May 13, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/new-mexico-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record |title=New Mexico Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=May 13, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Texas}} || data-sort-value="August 10, 2017"|by August 10, 2017<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811033125/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> || September 5, 2023<ref name=s2stx>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/2023/September2023/TX-Joins-S2S-and-DHR.pdf |title=Texas Becomes the 39th State to Join State-to-State Verification Service (S2S) and 13th State to Join S2S Driver History Record (DHR) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref> || September 5, 2023<ref name=s2stx/>
|-
|{{flaglist|North Carolina}} || data-sort-value="October 12, 2017"|by October 12, 2017<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013054137/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=October 13, 2017}}</ref> || February 25, 2019<ref name=s2s2021/> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Louisiana}} || data-sort-value="January 23, 2018"|by January 23, 2018<ref name=cert2018-1>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124104733/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref> || October 17, 2018<ref name=s2s2021/> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Michigan}} || data-sort-value="January 23, 2018"|by January 23, 2018<ref name=cert2018-1/> || March 15, 2021<ref name=s2s2021/> || October 16, 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/michigan-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record |title=Michigan Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=October 16, 202}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|New York}} || data-sort-value="February 23, 2018"|by February 23, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224015350/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=February 24, 2018}}</ref> || September 3, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/new-york-becomes-41st-state-to-join-state-to-state-verification-service-(s2s) |title=New York Becomes 41st State To Join State-to-State Verification Service (S2S) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=September 3, 2024}}</ref> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|South Carolina}} || May 18, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519070708/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=May 19, 2018}}</ref> || July 25, 2022<ref name=s2ssc>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/subfolder5/SC-Joins-S2S-DHR.pdf |title=South Carolina Joins State to State Verification Service (S2S) and Driver History Record (DHR) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref> || July 25, 2022<ref name=s2ssc/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Idaho}} || July 31, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801034348/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=August 1, 2018}}</ref> || August 22, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || November 18, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/idaho-joins-s2s-dhr;-delaware,-florida,-idaho,-and-oklahoma-implement-cdlis-solution-for-dach |title=Idaho Joins S2S DHR; Delaware, Florida, Idaho, and Oklahoma Implement CDLIS Solution for DACH |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=November 18, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|North Dakota}} || September 10, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180911115118/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=September 11, 2018}}</ref> || November 16, 2015<ref name=s2s2021/> || May 9, 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/home/news-top-block/north-dakota-becomes-the-3rd-state-to-join-state-to-state-(s2s)-driver-history-record-(dhr) |title=North Dakota Becomes the 3rd State to Join State-to-State (S2S) Driver History Record (DHR) |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517150728/https://www.aamva.org/home/news-top-block/north-dakota-becomes-the-3rd-state-to-join-state-to-state-(s2s)-driver-history-record-(dhr) |archive-date=May 17, 2022}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|New Hampshire}} || October 1, 2018<ref name=cert2018-10>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001202436/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=October 1, 2018}}</ref> || June 14, 2021<ref name=s2s2021/> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Puerto Rico}} || October 1, 2018<ref name=cert2018-10/> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Washington}} || October 1, 2018<ref name=cert2018-10/> || September 4, 2018<ref name=s2s2021/> || February 18, 2025<ref name=dhrwa/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Massachusetts}} || November 1, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101211009/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=November 1, 2018}}</ref> || March 26, 2018<ref name=s2s2021/> || June 27, 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/subfolder4/Mass_S2S_DHS.pdf |title=AAMVA congratulates Massachusetts on successfully implementing S2S DHR |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Minnesota}} || November 19, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mn.gov/gov-stat/pdf/Letter_Dayton_REAL%20ID%20Compliance_signed.pdf |title=Determination that Minnesota is in full compliance with the Real ID Act |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> || September 30, 2019<ref name=s2s2021/> || September 19, 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/AAMVA/attach/subfolder5/MN-S2S-GoLive.pdf |title=AAMVA congratulates Minnesota on successfully implementing S2S DHR |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Virginia}} || December 10, 2018<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211025512/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=December 11, 2018}}</ref> || December 5, 2016<ref name=s2s2021/> || August 26, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/virginia-joins-state-to-state-driver-history-record,-implements-cdlis-solution-for-dach,-and-becomes |title=Virginia Joins State-to-State Driver History Record, Implements CDLIS Solution for DACH, and Becomes EEE Compliant |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=August 26, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Guam}} || February 8, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.postguam.com/news/local/dhs-guam-ids-are-now-real-id-compliant/article_f8544420-2b4c-11e9-bc9e-e7464e5dd599.html |title=DHS: Guam IDs are now Real ID compliant |publisher=The Guam Daily Post |date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Illinois}} || March 20, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320230227/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=March 20, 2019}}</ref> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|United States Virgin Islands|name=US Virgin Islands}} || data-sort-value="April 4, 2019"|by April 4, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405045438/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Alaska}} || data-sort-value="April 28, 2019"|by April 28, 2019<ref name=cert2019>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428225908/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=April 28, 2019}}</ref> || January 30, 2017<ref name=s2s2021/> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Missouri}} || data-sort-value="April 28, 2019"|by April 28, 2019<ref name=cert2019/> || March 25, 2019<ref name=s2s2021/> || November 12, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/missouri-joins-s2s-dhr,-implements-cdlis-eee-changes,-and-missouri-and-arizona-implement-cdlis-solut |title=Missouri Joins S2S DHR, Implements CDLIS EEE Changes, and Missouri and Arizona Implement CDLIS Solution for DACH |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=November 12, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Montana}} || data-sort-value="April 28, 2019"|by April 28, 2019<ref name=cert2019/> || November 23, 2020<ref name=s2s2021/> || November 13, 2023<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/montana-joins-state-to-state-verification-service-driver-history-record |title=Montana Joins State-to-State Verification Service Driver History Record |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=November 13, 2023}}</ref>
|-
|{{flaglist|Rhode Island}} || April 30, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ri.gov/press/view/35760 |title=Federal government certifies Rhode Island Real ID program |publisher=Rhode Island Government |date=April 30, 2019}}</ref> || June 3, 2019<ref name=s2s2021/> || March 11, 2024<ref name=dhrcorisd/>
|-
|{{flaglist|Pennsylvania}} || May 17, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://houseappropriations.com/files/Documents/2022%20TransportationTestimony.pdf |title=PennDOT House Appropriations Statement |publisher=Pennsylvania Department of Transportation |date=February 28, 2022 |page=14}}</ref> || May 21, 2018<ref name=s2s2021/> || May 5, 2025<ref name=dhrpa/>
|-
|{{flaglist|California}} || May 22, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/06/CA_REALID_Compliance_Determination.pdf |title=Determination that California is in full compliance with the Real ID Act |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Kentucky}} || July 19, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720145957/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=July 20, 2019}}</ref> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Maine}} || September 13, 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914212110/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> || December 16, 2024<ref name=s2sme/> || December 16, 2024<ref name=s2sme/>
|-
|{{flaglist|New Jersey}} || March 27, 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327164821/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref> || March 25, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aamva.org/publications-news/aamva-news/new-jersey-to-begin-using-state-to-state-verification-service |title=New Jersey To Begin Using State-to-State Verification Service |publisher=American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators |date=March 18, 2024}}</ref> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Oregon}} || August 4, 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805075637/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=August 5, 2020}}</ref> || July 6, 2020<ref name=s2s2021/> ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Oklahoma}} || September 10, 2020<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910223728/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|Northern Mariana Islands|name=N. Mariana Islands}} || March 26, 2021<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327010321/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=March 27, 2021}}</ref> || ||
|-
|{{flaglist|American Samoa}} || February 14, 2024<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |title=Real ID |publisher=U.S. Department of Homeland Security |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240215064806/https://www.dhs.gov/real-id |archive-date=February 15, 2024}}</ref> || ||
|}

===Document versions===
{{Multiple image
| direction = vertical
| image1    = Californian sample driver's license, c. 2019.jpg
| image2    = Florida Driver License.png
| image3    = Washington, D.C. sample driver's license, c. 2018.png
| footer    = Sample driver licenses compliant with the Real ID Act issued by [[California]], [[Florida]] and the [[District of Columbia]]. The star symbol appears in the upper right corner.}}
{{CSS image crop|Image=Enhanced driver's licenses.jpg|bSize=317|cWidth=200|cHeight=126|oTop=66|oLeft=50
|Location=right|Description=Sample [[Enhanced driver's license|enhanced driver license]] issued by the [[state of Washington]]. The US flag appears near the photo.}}

Most states and territories decided to offer two versions of identification documents, one compliant with the Real ID requirements and one not compliant. The compliant version is marked with a gold or black [[five-pointed star|star]], a white star in a gold or black circle, a white star in a gold [[Flag of California|bear]] in the case of [[California]], a white star in a gold state map in the case of [[Maine]], [[Michigan]] and [[Nevada]], or a white star in a gold [[Old Man of the Mountain]] in the case of [[New Hampshire]]. The non-compliant version has a text stating that it is not valid for federal purposes, but it can still be used to drive or as local identification, so it is useful for applicants who are ineligible or do not wish to provide all documentation required for a compliant version in their jurisdiction.<ref name=symbols>[https://www.keesingtechnologies.com/document-verification/real-id/ REAL ID symbols and status by state], Keesing Technologies, April 2025.</ref><ref name=faqs/>

Some states also offer [[Enhanced driver's license|enhanced driver licenses and enhanced identification cards]], which are only available to [[United States nationality law|US nationals]] and may be used for [[Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative|international travel within the Americas]] by land or sea.<ref>[https://www.dhs.gov/enhanced-drivers-licenses-what-are-they Enhanced Drivers Licenses: What Are They?], U.S. Department of Homeland Security.</ref> They are marked with a [[US flag]] and may not have a Real ID star symbol but are also compliant with the Real ID requirements and are accepted for federal purposes.<ref name=faqs/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2019/10/01/washington-residents-will-need-real-id-compliant-identification-fly |title=Washington residents will need REAL ID-compliant identification to fly starting October 2020 |publisher=Transportation Security Administration |date=October 1, 2019}}</ref>

The [[state of Washington]] is unique in that it only offers enhanced and non-compliant versions, making its residents who are not US nationals ineligible for compliant state-issued identification documents.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dol.wa.gov/id-cards/real-id |title=REAL ID |publisher=Washington State Department of Licensing}}</ref> It is also the only state that does not offer any document with a Real ID star symbol, even though its enhanced version is compliant.<ref name=symbols/>

===Documents for boarding flights===
[[File:DoSDL.jpg|thumb|200px|Sample diplomatic driver license issued by the [[US Department of State]] ]]

Before boarding an airline flight in the United States, passengers must pass through an airport security checkpoint operated by the [[Transportation Security Administration]], which requires that passengers age 18 and older present an identification document whose name must match their [[boarding pass]]. Many types of documents are accepted for this purpose:<ref name=tsa>[https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint], Transportation Security Administration.</ref>
* Driver license or identification card issued by a US state or territory (only if compliant with Real ID standards, after full enforcement)
* [[Enhanced driver's license|Enhanced driver license or enhanced identification card]] issued by a US state
* [[Passport]] of any country or [[US passport card]]
* DHS trusted traveler card ([[Global Entry]], [[NEXUS]], [[SENTRI]] or [[Free and Secure Trade|FAST]])
* [[Green card|US permanent resident card]] or [[employment authorization document]] (I-766)
* [[Border Crossing Card]]
* Driver license issued by a [[Canadian province]] or [[Indigenous Services Canada|Canadian Indian Status]] card
* Photo identification card issued by a [[federally recognized tribe]]
* [[Common Access Card|US Department of Defense identification]], including for dependents
* [[FIPS 201|Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card]] for US federal employees and contractors
* [[Transportation Worker Identification Credential]] or [[Merchant Mariner Credential]]
* [[Veteran Health Identification Card]]
* Driver license or identification card issued by the US Department of State for foreign diplomatic and consular officers and their eligible dependents<ref>[https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/271733.pdf Diplomatic Note 17-823: Real ID Act], U.S. Department of State, May 30, 2017.</ref>

Except for the first category of documents in the above list, the other documents listed remain accepted regardless of the Real ID Act. Passengers without any acceptable identification document may still be allowed to board flights after completing an identity verification process.<ref name=tsa/> However, after final implementation of the Real ID Act, the identity verification process may no longer be available.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Puckett |first=Jessica |date=February 18, 2022 |title=What Travelers Need to Know About the Real ID Deadline Extension |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/real-id-deadline-what-travelers-should-know |access-date=November 3, 2023 |website=Condé Nast Traveler |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=faqs/>

Identification documents are accepted up to two years after their expiration. Passengers under age 18 are not required to present identification at security checkpoints.<ref name=tsa/>

Passengers boarding an [[international flight]] may be required to present more specific documents, such as a passport or visa, to the airline during [[airport check-in|check-in]] and after arrival at their destination, but they may still present any of the acceptable documents at the security checkpoint.<ref>{{Cite web |title=REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions {{!}} Transportation Security Administration |url=https://www.tsa.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration |language=en}}</ref>

==Criticism==
The [[Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush administration]]'s Real ID Act was strongly supported by the conservative [[The Heritage Foundation|Heritage Foundation]] and other opponents of illegal immigration.<ref name="news.com" /> However, it faced criticism from across the political spectrum, including from libertarian groups, like the [[Cato Institute]];<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOTOenwxsQI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/UOTOenwxsQI |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Florida LP Chairman Adrian Wyllie surrenders license in protest of REAL ID act|last=ccpafl|date=May 18, 2011|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> immigrant advocacy groups; human and civil rights organizations, like the [[ACLU]]; Christian advocacy groups, such as the [[American Center for Law & Justice]] (ACLJ);<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.repobrien.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=3724 |title=PA State Rep. Dennis O'Brien - Rohrer to Join ACLJ and ACLU Opposing Real ID |access-date=July 27, 2011 |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001020819/http://www.repobrien.com/NewsItem.aspx?NewsID=3724 |url-status=dead }}</ref> privacy advocacy groups, like the [[511 campaign]]; state-level opposition groups, such as North Carolinians Against Real ID<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ncard.info/|title=North Carolinians Against Real ID website}}</ref> and government accountability groups in Florida;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liberty2010.org/realid|title=Floridians Against REAL ID website|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706213131/http://www.liberty2010.org/realid/|archive-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref> labor groups, like [[AFL–CIO]]; [[People for the American Way]]; consumer and patient protection groups; some gun rights groups, such as [[Gun Owners of America]]; many state lawmakers, state legislatures, and governors; the [[Constitution Party (United States)|Constitution Party]];<ref name="news.com">{{cite web|date=May 8, 2007|url=http://www.news.com/2100-1028_3-6182210.html|title=Congress rethinks the Real ID Act|work=[[CNET]]|access-date=July 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.privacycoalition.org/stoprealid/ The Privacy Coalition] Accessed February 17, 2008</ref> and the editorial page of ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', among others.

Highlighting the broad diversity of the coalition opposing Title II of the Real ID Act, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), founded by evangelical Christian [[Pat Robertson]], participated in a joint press conference with the ACLU in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwgVeXx22fI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/JwgVeXx22fI |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live |title=Real ID Exposed at National Press Club with Mark Lerner, Host |author=Steve Meyer |date=February 10, 2009 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Among the 2008 presidential candidates, [[John McCain]] strongly supported the Real ID Act, but [[Hillary Clinton]] called for it to be reviewed, [[Barack Obama]] and [[Ron Paul]] flatly opposed it, and [[Mike Huckabee]] called it "a huge mistake."<ref>McCullagh, Declan. [http://www.news.com/8301-13578_3-9864581-38.html "In '08 presidential race, who's the most tech-friendly?"], CNET, February 5, 2008. Accessed February 17, 2008</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/09/mike_huckabee_an_interview.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012193814/http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2007/09/mike_huckabee_an_interview.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2007|title=Mike Huckabee: The RCP Interview|date=September 25, 2007|publisher=[[Real Clear Politics]]|access-date=July 7, 2008}}</ref> The subsequent [[Obama administration]] opposed it.

In 2008, Cindy Southworth, technology project director for the National Network to End Domestic Violence, noted a "conundrum" in the mission "to identify people who are dangerous, such as terrorists, and at the same time, [...] in a way that keeps everyday citizens and victims safe."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/real-id-worries-domestic-violence-groups/|title=Real ID worries domestic violence groups|last=Broache|first=Anne|date=February 8, 2008|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> The [[National Coalition Against Domestic Violence]] also voiced concern about the Real ID Act.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ncadv.org/publicpolicy/REALIDLaws.php |title=National Coalition Against Domestic Violence |access-date=July 27, 2011 |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727114221/http://www.ncadv.org/publicpolicy/REALIDLaws.php |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Adrian Wyllie]], the then-chair of the [[Libertarian Party of Florida]], drove without carrying a [[driver license]] in 2011 in protest of the Real ID Act. After being ticketed, Wyllie argued in court that Florida's identification laws violated his privacy rights; a judge rejected this claim.<ref>Jacob Carpenter, [https://web.archive.org/web/20150305070504/http://www.naplesnews.com/news/crime/judge-to-former-gubernatorial-candidate-good-try-no-dice Judge to former gubernatorial candidate: Good try, no dice], ''Naples Daily News'' (March 2, 2015).</ref><ref>Curtis Krueger, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120301203321/http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/libertarian-gets-ticketed-on-purpose-to-make-argument-in-court/1190322 Libertarian gets ticketed on purpose to make argument in court Libertarian gets ticketed on purpose to make argument in court], ''St. Petersburg Times'' (September 7, 2011).</ref>

===Congress===
The House of Representatives approved the original Real ID Act, H.R.418, on February 10, 2005, by a vote of 261–161. At the insistence of the bill's sponsor and then [[United States House Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]] Chair [[Jim Sensenbrenner]], the Real ID Act was subsequently attached by the House Republican leadership as a [[Rider (legislation)|rider]] to H.R.1268, a bill dealing with emergency appropriations for the [[Iraq War]] and with the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|2004 tsunami]] relief funding, which was widely regarded as a [[must pass bill]]. The Senate passed H.R.1268 on April 21, 2005, without the Real ID Act. However, the Real ID Act was reinserted in the conference report on H.R.1268, which was then passed by the House on May 5, 2005, by a 368–58 vote and unanimously by the Senate on May 10, 2005.<ref name=law/> The Senate never discussed or voted on the Real ID Act specifically and no Senate committee hearings were conducted on the Real ID Act prior to its passage. Critics charged that this procedure was undemocratic and that the bill's proponents avoided a substantive debate on a far-reaching piece of legislation by attaching it to a "must-pass" bill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leahy |first=Patrick |author-link=Patrick Leahy |date=May 8, 2007 |title=Will REAL ID Actually Make Us Safer? An Examination of Privacy and Civil Liberties Concerns |url=http://judiciary.senate.gov/member_statement.cfm?id=2746&wit_id=2629 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531002133/http://judiciary.senate.gov/member_statement.cfm?id=2746&wit_id=2629 |archive-date=May 31, 2007 |website=[[United States Committee on the Judiciary]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Zetter |first=Kim |date=May 10, 2005 |title=No Real Debate for Real ID |url=https://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2005/05/67471 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207014008/http://www.wired.com/politics/security/news/2005/05/67471 |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |access-date=July 7, 2008 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=March 31, 2005|url=http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/DL022.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051023040630/http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/DL022.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 23, 2005|title=Immigrants' Rights Update, Vol. 19, Issue 2|publisher=National Immigration Law Center|access-date=July 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shahani |first=Aarti |date=April 29, 2005 |title=Real ID Act Attached to "Must-Pass" Spending Bill Imposes Anti-Immigrant Measures |url=http://www.democracynow.org/2005/4/29/real_id_act_attached_to_must |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130707144018/http://www.democracynow.org/2005/4/29/real_id_act_attached_to_must |archive-date=July 7, 2013 |access-date=January 9, 2024 |website=[[Democracy Now!]] |language=en}}</ref>

A May 3, 2005, statement by the [[American Immigration Lawyers Association]] said: "Because Congress held no hearings or meaningful debate on the legislation and amended it to a must-pass spending bill, the Real ID Act did not receive the scrutiny necessary for most measures, and most certainly not the level required for a measure of this importance and impact. Consistent with the lack of debate and discussion, conference negotiations also were held behind closed doors, with Democrats prevented from participating."<ref>[http://www.visalaw.com/05may1/7may105.html AILA Statement on REAL ID] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510092727/http://www.visalaw.com/05may1/7may105.html |date=May 10, 2008 }} May 3, 2005</ref>

On February 28, 2007, Senator [[Daniel Akaka]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-[[Hawaii|HI]]) introduced the Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007 to repeal the Real ID Act and restore the equivalent provisions of the [[Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act]], which provided more regulatory flexibility with state participation. Seven Democratic and Republican senators cosponsored the bill. Committee hearings were held, but the bill did not advance.<ref>{{USBill|110|S.|717}}, Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007, United States Congress.</ref>

A similar bill was introduced on February 16, 2007, by Representative [[Tom Allen (Maine politician)|Tom Allen]] (D-[[Maine|ME]]), with 41 cosponsors, all Democrats. This bill did not advance either.<ref>{{USBill|110|H.R.|1117}}, REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007, United States Congress.</ref>

A more limited bill, introduced on February 13, 2007, by Senator [[Susan Collins]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]]-ME), with four cosponsors, would have extended the deadlines for states to comply with the Real ID Act.<ref>{{USBill|110|S.|563}}, A bill to extend the deadline by which State identification documents shall comply with specific minimum standards and for other purposes, United States Congress.</ref>

On June 15, 2009, Senator Daniel Akaka introduced the [[PASS ID]] Act, which would replace the Real ID Act with a similar law without some of the requirements that were considered excessive, such as the obligation to verify documents with the issuing authority and shared databases. The bill passed the [[United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs|Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs]] but did not advance further.<ref>{{USBill|111|S.|1261}}, PASS ID Act, United States Congress.</ref>

===State legislatures===
Many state legislatures strongly opposed the Real ID Act, before the states eventually complied with it years later.<ref name=history/>

On January 25, 2007, the [[Maine Legislature]] overwhelmingly passed a resolution refusing to implement the Real ID Act in that state and calling on Congress to repeal the law. Many [[Maine]] lawmakers believed that the law would do more harm than good, they were concerned that it would create bureaucratic problems, threaten individual privacy, could make citizens more vulnerable to ID theft, and would cost [[Maine]] taxpayers at least $185{{nbsp}}million in five years to implement all aspects of the bill. The resolution vote in the [[Maine House of Representatives]] was 137–4 and in the [[Maine Senate]] unanimous, 34–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/billpdfs/LD113802.pdf|title=An Act To Prohibit Maine from Participating in the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005|website=Maine Legislature}}</ref>

On February 16, 2007, the [[Utah legislature]] unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Real ID Act.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hr0002.htm|title=Utah Legislature HR0002|website=Utah Legislature}}</ref> The resolution stated that Real ID was "in opposition to the Jeffersonian principles of individual liberty, free markets, and limited government", and that "the use of identification-based security cannot be justified as part of a 'layered' security system if the costs of the identification 'layer'—in dollars, lost privacy, and lost liberty—are greater than the security identification provides".

[[Alaska]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/25?Root=SB202|title=Alaska State Legislature|website=www.akleg.gov|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/28?Root=HB%20%2069|title=Alaska State Legislature|website=www.akleg.gov|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref> [[Arizona]], [[Arkansas]], [[Colorado]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Hawaii]], [[Idaho]], [[Illinois]], [[Louisiana]], [[Michigan]], [[Minnesota]], [[Missouri]], [[Montana]], [[Nebraska]], [[Nevada]], [[New Hampshire]], [[North Dakota]], [[Oklahoma]], [[Pennsylvania]], [[South Carolina]], [[Tennessee]], [[Virginia]], and [[Washington (state)|Washington]] joined [[Maine]] and [[Utah]] in passing legislation opposing the Real ID Act.<ref>[https://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/29291prs20070405.html 'Washington Becomes Fourth State to Oppose REAL ID'], ACLU, April 5, 2007. Accessed July 23, 2007.</ref><ref>[https://www.cnet.com/news/congress-rethinks-the-real-id-act-1/ "Congress rethinks the Real ID Act"], CNET News, May 8, 2007. Accessed May 19, 2016.</ref><ref>[http://www.epic.org/privacy/id_cards/ 'National ID Cards and REAL ID Act'], Electronic Privacy Information Center. Accessed July 23, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/04/17/news/state/28-law.txt 'Gov signs law rejecting Real ID act'], ''Billings Gazette'', April 17, 2007. Accessed July 23, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/asp/WebBillInfo/BillCompanionInfo.aspx?billnumber=SJR0248 'Bill Information for SJR0248'] Tennessee State Legislature. Accessed August 8, 2007.</ref><ref>https://www.azcentral.com/specials/special12/articles/0618real-id0618.html?&wired Napolitano: Real ID a no-go in Arizona</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tenthamendmentcenter.com/nullification/real-id/|title=Real ID Nullification Legislation|website=Tenth Amendment Center|language=en-US|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref> Similar resolutions were introduced in the [[District of Columbia]], [[Kentucky]], [[Louisiana]], [[Maryland]], [[Massachusetts]], [[New York (state)|New York]], [[Ohio]], [[Oregon]], [[Rhode Island]], [[Texas]], [[Vermont]], [[West Virginia]], [[Wisconsin]], and [[Wyoming]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realnightmare.org/news/105/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528003258/http://www.realnightmare.org/105-2/ |title=Status of Anti-Real ID Legislation in the States |access-date=November 4, 2007 |archive-date=May 28, 2019}}</ref>

On April 16, 2009, the [[Missouri House of Representatives]] passed a bill prohibiting the state from complying with the Real ID Act, by a vote of 83–69 and 3 present. On May 13, 2009, the [[Missouri Senate]] unanimously passed the bill 43–0. Missouri Governor [[Jay Nixon]] signed this bill into law on July 13, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.house.mo.gov/BillActions.aspx?bill=HB361&year=2009&code=R|title=Bill Actions|website=House.mo.gov}}</ref> This law was later repealed in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article155700884.html|title=Greitens signs Real ID legislation, putting Missouri in compliance with federal law|last=By|website=kansascity|language=en|access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB151&year=2017&code=R|title=Missouri House of Representatives - Bill Information for HB151|website=house.mo.gov|access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> Alaska also repealed its anti-Real-ID law in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Alaska-lawmakers-approve-REAL-ID-measure-423186284.html|title=UPDATE: Gov. Walker signs REAL ID bill into law|last=reports|first=Staff and Wire|website=www.ktuu.com|date=May 19, 2017 |language=en|access-date=June 10, 2019}}</ref>

In the 2012 Florida Legislative Session, the anti-Real-ID bill HB 109<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=47159&SessionId=70|website=Florida House of Representatives |title= HB 109 - Issuance and Renewal of Drivers' Licenses and Identification Cards}}</ref> and its Senate companion S 220 were introduced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0220|title=Senate Bill 220 |date=2012 |website= The Florida Senate}}</ref> Named the Florida Driver's License Citizen Protection Act,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liberty2010.org/documents/DLCPA_Summary_Bill_V1_packet.pdf|title=Floridians Against REAL ID: Florida Driver's License Citizen Protection Act as of September 19, 2011|website=Liberty2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113003925/http://www.liberty2010.org/documents/DLCPA_Summary_Bill_V1_packet.pdf|archive-date=January 13, 2012}}</ref> it would require discontinuation of several of the federally mandated provisions of the Real ID Act and destruction of copies of US citizens' documents from the government database. That bill died in the Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee on March 9, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0109|title=House Bill 109 |date=2012|website= The Florida Senate}}</ref>

===Constitutionality===
Some critics claimed that the Real ID Act violated the [[Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] as a federal legislation in an area that, under the terms of the Tenth Amendment, was the province of the states. [[Anthony Romero]], the executive director of the [[ACLU]], stated: "Real ID is an unfunded mandate that violates the Constitution's 10th Amendment on state powers, destroys states' [[dual sovereignty]] and consolidates every American's private information, leaving all of us far more vulnerable to identity thieves".<ref>{{cite news|date=March 6, 2007 |url=http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/03/post_14.html |title=Opposing view: Repeal Real ID |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222160834/http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/03/post_14.html |archive-date=February 22, 2008}}</ref>

Former Republican Representative [[Bob Barr]] wrote in a February 2008 article: "A person not possessing a Real ID Act-compliant identification card could not enter any federal building, or an office of his or her congressman or senator or the U.S. Capitol. This effectively denies that person their fundamental rights to assembly and to petition the government as guaranteed in the First Amendment".<ref>{{cite web |date=February 6, 2008 |url=http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/barrcode/entries/2008/02/06/real_id_act_a_real_intrusion_o.html |title=Real ID Act a Real Intrusion on Rights, Privacy |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |access-date=February 15, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212023624/http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/barrcode/entries/2008/02/06/real_id_act_a_real_intrusion_o.html |archive-date=February 12, 2008 }}</ref>

The DHS's final rule regarding the implementation of the Real ID Act discussed several constitutional concerns raised by the commenters on the proposed version of this rule. The DHS explicitly rejected the assertion that the implementation of the Real ID Act would lead to violations of the citizens' individual constitutional rights. Concerning the Tenth Amendment argument about the violation of states' constitutional rights, the DHS rule acknowledged that these concerns had been raised by several individual commenters and in the comments by some states. The DHS rule did not attempt to rebuff the Tenth Amendment argument directly, but said that the DHS was acting in accordance with the authority granted to it by the Real ID Act and that DHS had been and would be working closely with the states on the implementation of the Real ID Act.<ref name=fr2008/>

On November 1, 2007, attorneys for [[Defenders of Wildlife]] and the [[Sierra Club]] filed an amended complaint in [[US District Court]] challenging the Real ID Act. The amended complaint alleged that this unprecedented authority violated the fundamental separation of powers principles enshrined in the [[US Constitution]]. On December 18, 2007, Judge [[Ellen Segal Huvelle]] rejected the challenge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/in_the_courts/legal_docket/border_fence_construction_san_pedro_riparian_nca.php|title=Border Fence Construction: San Pedro Riparian NCA – Defenders of Wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2007/11_01_2007_defenders_and_sierra_club_challenge_sec._chertoffs_waiver_authority.php|title=Conservation Groups Challenge Chertoff's Waiver Power as Unconstitutional|date=November 1, 2007}}</ref> On March 17, 2008, the attorneys filed a petition for a [[writ]] of [[certiorari]] with the [[Supreme Court of the United States|US Supreme Court]] to hear their "constitutional challenge to the Secretary's decision waiving nineteen federal laws, and all state and local legal requirements related to them, in connection with the construction of a barrier along a portion of the border with Mexico". They questioned whether the preclusion of judicial review amounted to an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power and whether the "grant of waiver authority violates Article I's requirement that a duly-enacted law may be repealed only by legislation approved by both Houses of Congress and presented to the President".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenders.org/resources/publications/programs_and_policy/in_the_courts/writ_of_certiorari_re_san_pedro_border_case.pdf |title=Petition for Writ of Certiorari re: San Pedro Border Case |access-date=September 16, 2008 |author=((Andrew J. Pincus, Charles A. Rothfeld, Robert Dreher, Brian Segee, Dan Kahan, Terri-Lei O'Malley)) |date=March 17, 2008 |page=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2008/03_17_2008_defenders_and_sierra_club_petition_supreme_court.php |title=U.S. Supreme Court Asked to Answer: Is Chertoff Above the Law? |access-date=September 16, 2008 |author=Joe Vickless|author2=Oliver Bernstein |date=March 17, 2008 |publisher=Defenders of Wildlife}}</ref> On April 17, 2008, numerous amicus briefs "supporting the petition were filed on behalf of 14 members of Congress, a diverse coalition of conservation, religious and Native American organizations, and 28 law professors and constitutional scholars".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2008/04_25_2008_congress_to_hold_field_hearing_on_border_wall.php |title=Congress to hold field hearing on border wall |access-date=September 16, 2008 |author=Brian Segee|author2=Cat Lazaroff |date=April 25, 2008 |publisher=Defenders of Wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/habitat_conservation/federal_lands/border_policy/index.php |title=Wildlife and Border Policy |access-date=September 16, 2008 |date=April 2008 |publisher=Defenders of Wildlife}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenders.org/newsroom/press_releases_folder/2008/04_18_2008_advocates_of_border_wall_challenge_file_briefs_with_supreme_court.php |title=Congressional, religious, cultural and academic leaders urge Supreme Court to hear challenge to border wall |access-date=September 16, 2008 |author=Joe Vickless |author2=Cat Lazaroff |date=April 18, 2008 |publisher=Defenders of Wildlife}}</ref> The Supreme Court denied the petition on June 23, 2008.<ref>[https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docketfiles/07-1180.htm Defenders of Wildlife, et al., v. Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security], U.S. Supreme Court.</ref>

===National ID card===
{{for|more detailed arguments for and against identity cards|Identity document}}
There was disagreement about whether the Real ID Act instituted a "national identification card" system.<ref>McCullagh, Declan, "[http://news.cnet.com/FAQ+How+Real+ID+will+affect+you+-+page+3/2100-1028_3-5697111-3.html?tag=st.num FAQ:   How Real ID will affect you]", CNET, May 6, 2005. Accessed May 5, 2007</ref> The new law only set forth national standards, but left the issuance of cards and the maintenance of databases in state hands; therefore, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that it was not a "national ID" system.<ref>[https://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/laws/gc_1172767635686.shtm DHS: REAL ID Proposed Guidelines: Questions & Answers<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304130202/https://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/laws/gc_1172767635686.shtm |date=March 4, 2007 }}</ref> Websites such as no2realid.org, unrealid.com, and realnightmare.org argued that this was a trivial distinction, and that the new cards were in fact national [[Identity card|ID cards]], due to the uniform national standards, the linked databases created by [[AAMVA]], and the requirement of such identification for domestic air travel.

Many advocacy groups and individual opponents of the Real ID Act believed that having a Real ID-compliant identification might become a requirement for various basic tasks. A January 2008 statement by the ACLU of Maryland said: "The law places no limits on potential required uses for Real IDs. In time, Real IDs could be required to vote, collect a Social Security check, access Medicaid, open a bank account, go to an [[Baltimore Orioles|Orioles]] game, or buy a gun. The private sector could begin mandating a Real ID to perform countless commercial and financial activities, such as renting a DVD or buying car insurance. Real ID cards would become a necessity, making them de facto national IDs". However, government-issued identification was already required to perform some of these tasks; for example, two forms of identification – usually a driver license, passport, or Social Security card – were required by the [[Patriot Act]] in order to open a bank account.<ref>"[https://www.aclu.org/privacy/gen/33952prs20080115.html ACLU Of Maryland Blasts New Real ID Regulations]", ACLU, January 15, 2008. Accessed February 17, 2008</ref>

===Privacy===
Many privacy rights advocates charged that by creating a national system electronically storing vast amounts of detailed personal data about individuals, the Real ID Act increased the chance of such data being stolen and thus raised the risk of identity theft.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 17, 2008|url=https://www.aclu.org/images/general/asset_upload_file162_33700.pdf|title=ACLU Scorecard on Final Real ID Regulations|publisher=[[ACLU]]|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=February 28, 2007|url=http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/real_id_act.htm|title=Real ID Act Will Increase Exposure to ID Theft|publisher=Privacy Rights Clearinghouse|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=February 28, 2007|url=http://www.privacyactivism.org/Item/226|title=The Many Faces of the Real ID Act|publisher=PrivacyActivism|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 19, 2005|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/premium/0286/0286-31622482.html|title=Real ID Act mostly helps identity thieves|work=[[The Mercury News]]|location=San Jose, California|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref> The Bush administration, in the DHS final rule regarding the Real ID Act implementation, countered that the security precautions regarding handling sensitive personal data and hiring workers for this task, which were specified in the Real ID Act and in the rule, provided sufficient protections against unauthorized use and theft of such personal data.<ref name=fr2008/>

Another privacy concern raised by privacy advocates such as the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] was that the implementation of the Real ID Act would make it substantially easier for the government to track numerous activities of Americans and conduct surveillance.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 16, 2007|url=https://www.eff.org/issues/real-id|title=Real ID. Threatening Your Privacy Through an Unfunded Government Mandate|publisher=[[Electronic Frontier Foundation]]|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref> Supporters of the Real ID Act, such as the conservative think-tank [[The Heritage Foundation|Heritage Foundation]], dismissed this criticism under the grounds that states would be permitted by law to share data only when validating someone's identity.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 16, 2007|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/16/real.id/index.html?iref=newssearch|title=Federal ID plan raises privacy concerns|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref>

The Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee, which was established to advise the [[Department of Homeland Security]] on privacy-related issues, released a statement regarding the Department of Homeland Security's proposed rules for the standardization of state driver licenses on May 7, 2007.<ref>Ryan Singel. May 7, 2007. [http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/05/homeland_securi.html "Homeland Security's Own Privacy Panel Declines to Endorse License Rules"]. ''Wired''.</ref> The committee stated that "Given that these issues have not received adequate consideration, the Committee feels it is important that the following comments do not constitute an endorsement of REAL ID or the regulations as workable or appropriate", and "The issues pose serious risks to an individual's privacy and, without amelioration, could undermine the stated goals of the REAL ID Act".

===Gender===
The Real ID Act requires that states and territories include an individual's gender on each driver license and identification card issued.<ref name=codified/> As of 2022, all states and territories allowed individuals to change their gender on identification documents to either male or female, and many states also offered the option of gender-neutral marker X.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rivelli |first=Elizabeth |title=Changing Gender On Your Driver's License |url=https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/car/changing-gender-on-license/ |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=Bankrate |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Migdon |first=Brooke |date=May 31, 2022 |title=Here are the states where you can (and cannot) change your gender designation on official documents |url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/diversity-inclusion/3507206-here-are-the-states-where-you-can-and-cannot-change-your-gender-designation-on-official-documents/ |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Tatiania |date=November 29, 2021 |title=Non-Binary, Gender X Driver's Licenses, Passports Gaining Popularity |url=https://www.newsweek.com/non-binary-gender-x-drivers-licenses-passports-gaining-popularity-1648879 |access-date=November 9, 2022 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref> The requirements for changing the recorded gender varied by jurisdiction, from merely a personal request to additional documentation such as a court order or proof of surgery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2021 |title=ID Documents Center |url=https://transequality.org/documents |website=National Center for Transgender Equality |language=en}}</ref>

Some scholars criticized the inclusion of gender markers in identification documents, pointing to the ineffectiveness of gender in confirming a person's identity<ref>{{Cite journal |last=McGrath |first=James |date=January 1, 2009 |title=Are You a Boy or a Girl - Show Me Your REAL ID |url=https://scholarship.law.tamu.edu/facscholar/184 |journal=Nevada Law Journal |volume=9 |pages=368}}</ref> or due to privacy concerns of [[transgender]] individuals.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Beauchamp|first1=Toby|title=Artful Concealment and Strategic Visibility: Transgender Bodies & U.S. State Surveillance After 9/11|journal=Surveillance & Society|date=2009|volume=6|issue=4|pages=356–366|doi=10.24908/ss.v6i4.3267|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Asylum and deportation===
Many immigrant and civil rights advocates felt that the changes related to evidentiary standards and the immigration officers' discretion in asylum cases, contained in the Real ID Act, would prevent many legitimate asylum seekers from obtaining asylum.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 2005|url=http://www.nilc.org/immspbs/DLs/NCLR_REAL-ID_talkingpoints_0305.pdf|title=The 'REAL ID' Act Is a Really Bad Idea|publisher=National Immigration Law Center|access-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref> For example, scholars pointed to how the Real ID Act placed more emphasis on applicant account discrepancies to determine asylum seekers as "incredible" and discretion on additional corroboration requirements, which discounted potential trauma-related psychological and other barriers related to persecution that might affect testimony accounts.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/774445279 |title=Terrorism and asylum seekers: why the Real ID Act is a false promise |author=Marisa Silenzi Cianciarulo |date=2006 |journal=Harvard Journal on Legislation |oclc=774445279}}</ref> Additionally, a 2005 article in [[LCCR]]-sponsored ''Civil Rights Monitor'' stated, "The bill also contained changes to asylum standards, which according to LCCR, would prevent many legitimate asylum seekers from obtaining safe haven in the United States. These changes gave immigration officials broad discretion to demand certain evidence to support an asylum claim, with little regard to whether the evidence can realistically be obtained; as well as the discretion to deny claims based on such subjective factors as 'demeanor'. Critics said the reason for putting such asylum restrictions into what was being sold as an anti-terrorism bill was unclear, given that suspected terrorists are already barred from obtaining asylum or any other immigration benefit".<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.civilrights.org/publications/monitor/winter2005/art5p1.html |title=Anti-immigrant 'REAL ID' Act Becomes Law|journal=Civil Rights Monitor |volume=15|issue=1|date=Fall–Winter 2005}}</ref>

Similarly, some immigration and human rights advocacy groups maintained that the Real ID Act provided an overly broad definition of "terrorist activity" that would prevent some deserving categories of applicants from gaining asylum or refugee status in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 2005|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?lang=e&id=297EFA5A2CF68B1085256FD3007F22F3|title=AIUSA Issue Brief: The REAL ID Act of 2005 and Its Negative Impact on Asylum Seekers|publisher=[[Amnesty International USA]]|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref> A November 2007 report by [[Human Rights Watch]] raised this criticism specifically in relation to former child soldiers who had been forcibly and illegally recruited to participate in an armed group.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 2007|url=https://hrw.org/pub/2007/us/US_OP_alternative_report112107.pdf|title=United States of America: Compliance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|access-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref>

===Environment===
In 2020, the section of the Real ID Act waiving laws that could interfere with the construction of the [[Mexico–United States barrier|border barrier]] negatively impacted the natural and cultural environment of the border area. One example was at [[Quitobaquito Springs]] in the [[Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument]] in [[Arizona]], one of the only reliable above-ground water sources in the [[Sonoran Desert]] and home to the endangered [[Sonoyta pupfish]] and [[Sonora mud turtle]]. The spring and surrounding lands are also sacred to the [[Hia C-eḍ Oʼodham]] and [[Tohono Oʼodham]] peoples. Due to the construction of the border barrier, the flow of water declined precipitously from March 2020, and threatened the cultural landscape as well as the two endangered species, along with other desert animals and plants that relied on the water.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210316025900/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/quitobaquito-springs-arizona-drying-up-border-wall Sacred Arizona spring drying up as border wall construction continues], National Geographic, July 20, 2020.</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=National Park Service |date=2018 |title=Quitobaquito Springs |url=https://www.nps.gov/orpi/learn/historyculture/quitobaquito-springs.htm |access-date=July 22, 2020 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Coalition for a Secure Driver's License]]
* [[Identity document]]
* [[Internal passport]]
* [[Internal passport of Russia]]
* [[Registered Traveler]]
* [[Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act|Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act)]], proposed law
* [[Secure Fence Act of 2006]]
* [[United States passport]]
* [[United States Passport Card]]
* [[Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr418/BILLS-109hr418ih.xml REAL ID Act of 2005] as introduced ([https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr418/BILLS-109hr418ih.pdf PDF]/[https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/418/all-info details])
* [https://www.govinfo.gov/link/plaw/109/public/13?link-type=pdf&.pdf#page=72 REAL ID Act of 2005] as enacted ([https://www.govinfo.gov/link/statute/109/public/13?link-type=details details]) in the [[United States Statutes at Large|US Statutes at Large]]
* [https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-16376/uslm/COMPS-16376.xml REAL ID Act of 2005] as amended ([https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/COMPS-16376/pdf/COMPS-16376.pdf PDF]/[https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/COMPS-16376 details]) in the [[United States Government Publishing Office|GPO]] [https://www.govinfo.gov/help/comps Statute Compilations collection]

{{Presidency of George W. Bush}}
{{Immigration to the United States}}

[[Category:Acts of the 109th United States Congress]]
[[Category:Identity documents of the United States]]
[[Category:Riders to United States federal appropriations legislation]]
[[Category:United States federal defense and national security legislation]]
[[Category:United States federal immigration and nationality legislation]]