The REAL ID law, passed in 2005, was a response to the 9/11 attacks--an effort to make state-issued identification more secure and harder to counterfeit. This law requires the use of REAL IDs for air travel and admittance to federal buildings.
People may obtain REAL IDs via an in-person visit to a state Department of Motor Vehicles. The bolstered security of a REAL ID comes with the following added requirements:
- Proof of identity and citizenship through one of the following: unexpired passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, Unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), or Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
- Proof of social security number with a social security card, a W-2 form, or a pay stub
- Proof of residency with a utility bill, mortgage statement, bank statement, or voter registration card
A REAL ID can be identified by a star in the upper right corner of the ID. The exact color of the star varies from state to state.
The Long Road to REAL ID
The deadline for implementation was delayed several times to give states more time to get the infrastructure in place to issue these new IDs. The final delay was due to the pandemic, but as of May 7, 2025, REAL IDs are now required.
Several fully compliant states began issuing Real IDs as far back as 2009, enabling all residents to obtain one when they renewed an existing license.
About a month prior to the 2025 deadline, TSA said it was seeing about 81% compliance at airport checkpoints--meaning passengers are showing up with either a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID, a passport, a valid military ID, an "enhanced" ID issued by a handful of states, or other valid identification. If travelers show up without a REAL ID now, they will be subject to additional screening, a secondary identity verification process similar to the one used when someone's ID is stolen or lost while traveling.
This major change in ID standards may be the first step toward an ongoing evolution in identity verification.
Stepping stone to Digital ID
As physical identification becomes more standardized and secure, it provides a foundation for a shift to digital identification. This potential shift could include the adoption of mobile drivers' licenses and blockchain-based identity solutions. A few states, such as Arizona, are already in the process of developing mobile drivers' licenses. Additionally, Google Wallet has expanded its digital ID support, allowing residents in several states to store digital versions of their state IDs or U.S. passports within the app. These digital IDs are now accepted at select TSA checkpoints.
The shift to digital ID meets the reality of consumers' increased reliance on mobile devices for commerce, streamlining the process of identity verification via a preferred medium. Digital IDs also allow for integration of advanced security features like biometrics and encryption, making the IDS harder to fake, as well as harder to pass off as legitimate if they're stolen and used in identity theft schemes.
With these benefits come challenges. Due to privacy concerns, the databases that power REAL ID have come under scrutiny, as the centralization of identity data could be used for increased citizen surveillance and tracking by the government. This concern is exacerbated by digital ID's reliance on similar databases. The risk of fraud escalates as ID moves online and becomes hackable, requiring additional verification technologies to be implemented to outpace malicious actors. A digital ID system will also require interoperability between states, which all currently have different ID systems.
To stay on top of identity trends and tools, check out these events and resources:
- Federal IT Efficiency Summit (July 10, 2025; Tysons, VA) - Government and industry leaders explore strategies for optimizing IT operations, reducing costs and enhancing mission effectiveness. This summit is a must-attend for agency decision-makers looking to streamline IT modernization efforts that save taxpayers money.
- Digital Transformation Summit 2025 (September 17, 2025; Reston, VA) - Digital transformation can improve operational efficiencies, provide more agility and flexibility in day-to-day activities, enable opportunities to grow and expand, and provide new value, satisfaction, and benefit for not only the staff but also the customers and shareholders.
- Federal Identity Forum (September 23-24, 2025; Chantilly, VA) - FedID has been the U.S. federal government's primary outreach and collaboration-building event with the worldwide identity community. In 2025, we're flipping the script--moving beyond traditional presentations and exhibits to prioritize your voice. This year, federal agencies are eager to hear your innovative ideas and explore the cutting-edge capabilities you're developing, fostering collaboration with industry trailblazers and academic innovators.
- Biometric Technology Report (white paper) - Biometric technology is reshaping law enforcement, offering powerful tools to enhance public safety while raising critical discussions around privacy, civil rights, and accountability. The latest federal report highlights how biometrics support investigations, fight human trafficking, and aid in identity verification, while also underscoring the need for stringent safeguards to prevent misuse.
- DHS Biometric Data Sharing with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Law Enforcement (data sheet) - DHS's Office of Biometric Identity Management is expanding access to its massive biometric database, IDENT, which houses over 325 million identities. State, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies can now tap into this resource to enhance criminal investigations, especially through new capabilities like latent fingerprint searches.
For further information on the evolution of government identity systems, search for additional events and resources on GovEvents and GovWhitePapers.
