When will a real id be required to fly

Beginning May 3, 2023, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights.

Also beginning May 3, 2023, individuals must present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities and to enter nuclear power plants.

Refer to the questions and answers below to learn more.

The following resources are available for your convenience:

Brochures

Information Packet

Interactive Guide

(Click on images for additional information)

What is REAL ID?

“REAL ID” comes from the REAL ID Act of 2005, a federal law that focused on fraud protection, anti-terrorism, and driver license and nondriver license identification card (ID card) security. The REAL ID Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver licenses and ID cards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting for official purposes driver licenses and ID cards from states that do not meet these standards. Missouri achieved full implementation of its REAL ID program in 2019.

Beginning May 3, 2023, residents of every U.S. state and territory will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of ID accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board federally regulated domestic flights. Also beginning May 3, 2023, individuals must present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities and to enter nuclear power plants.

Do I need a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

It depends. Effective May 3, 2023, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card, or another form of identification accepted by the Transportation Security Administration, to board domestic flights. Also beginning May 3, 2023, you will be required to present a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, or another form of acceptable ID, to access federal facilities and to enter nuclear power plants.

You are not required and likely do not need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card if:

• You will not need one for any of the above purposes on or after May 3, 2023; or

• You hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements, such as a valid
  U.S. passport or passport card.

Still not sure if you need a REAL ID? Check out this resource for additional guidance.

How can I obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

You can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card at one of Missouri’s more than 170 license office locations. You will be required to submit the following valid, original documents demonstrating proof of each item at the time you apply:

• Identity (one acceptable document to verify full legal name and date of birth);
• Lawful Status in the United States (one acceptable document to verify United States citizenship or immigration status);
• Social Security Number (one acceptable document);
• Missouri Residency (two acceptable documents verifying your Missouri residential address); and
• Additional items, such as a certified marriage license or court order, may be required to verify a new or prior name change if your name is different from the name on your identity and date of birth verification document.

Utilize the Department's interactive guide to ensure you have the documents required to apply for your REAL ID.

You may also refer to our complete list of acceptable documents for REAL ID-compliant license and ID card processing.

IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on May 3, 2023, and you wait to renew until April 30, 2023, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than April 1, 2023, if you will need to fly on or soon after May 3, 2023, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.

What do Missouri's REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver ID cards look like?

Missouri's REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver ID cards have a star in the upper right-hand corner. A license or ID card that is not compliant with REAL ID will have "NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES" in the upper right-hand corner. Licenses and ID cards, whether they are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, may also be marked as "LIMITED-TERM" based on the type of document presented as verification of lawful status.

Are Missouri’s REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and nondriver ID cards currently available?

Missouri residents were able to apply for a REAL ID-compliant Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card beginning March 25, 2019. Please note: Missouri licenses and ID cards issued prior to March 25, 2019, will afford you the same access as a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card until May 3, 2023.

IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on May 3, 2023, and you wait to renew until April 30, 2023, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than April 1, 2023, if you will need to fly on or soon after May 3, 2023, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.

Do I need to obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card for:

• 
  Driving

• 
  Voting or registering to vote

• 
  State purposes

• 
  Age verification
  

No. The REAL ID Act does not invalidate any previously issued Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card. It does not affect current use of your license or ID card for the purpose of driving, voting or registering to vote, state purposes, or for age verification.

What about non-Department of Homeland Security (DHS) federal entities? What types of licenses and identification cards will they accept for access purposes?

Federal agencies have the authority to set their own minimum security access requirements and, if desired, decide not to accept noncompliant marked cards before the May 3, 2023 deadline.

For example, The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently finalized an update to its DoD-wide installation security policy and is in the process of no longer accepting noncompliant marked cards across all of its facilities and installations. However, DoD will continue to accept state-issued noncompliant unmarked "legacy" cards until the May 3, 2023 deadline.

To ensure you have the proper identification, DHS recommends that you contact the federal agency you plan to visit in advance, to obtain information regarding identification requirements.

As a reminder, the REAL ID Act applies when an individual presents a state-issued driver’s license or identification card to a federal agency for an “official purpose” as defined in the Act and regulations, such as boarding a federally regulated commercial aircraft. Although a REAL ID card may not be necessary for other purposes such as driving, voting, banking, or applying for benefits or employment, we recommend checking with the relevant state, local, or commercial entities regarding their specific identification requirements.

For more information about the REAL ID Act, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at dhs.gov/real-id.

What is the cost of obtaining a REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card?

The transaction and processing fees for a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card, new or renewal, are the same as for a license or ID card that is noncompliant with REAL ID. Click here for detailed fee information.

You may also apply for an early duplicate license or ID card outside of your regular renewal period (which is six months prior to the expiration of your license or ID card). Missouri law allows for a one-time waiver of the duplicate transaction fee for persons who have not been issued a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card. License office processing fees, however, will not be waived and are $6 (for a prior three-year issuance) or $12 (for a prior six-year issuance). Personal information may be changed as part of a duplicate one-time waiver transaction, but if you are applying for a different class of licensure or to add any endorsements or restrictions, the one-time waiver will not apply.

Based on the date my current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card expires and assuming I do not hold another form of identification that meets federal requirements, when do I need to apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card for the purposes of domestic air travel, accessing certain federal facilities and entering nuclear power plants?

If your current Missouri-issued driver license or nondriver ID card:

• Expired prior to March 25, 2019
  • REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards were not available in Missouri until March 25, 2019; therefore, if you renewed your Missouri-issued license or ID card before then, you will be able to use it for REAL ID purposes until May 3, 2023, even though it is not REAL ID-compliant. If you will require a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card as of May 3, 2023, you can apply for one by requesting a duplicate transaction prior to the May 3, 2023 enforcement date.
• Expired on or after March 25, 2019, but before May 3, 2023
  • The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has granted Missouri an extension to comply with the REAL ID Act and its regulations that will allow you to continue using your current Missouri-issued license or ID card until May 3, 2023, regardless of whether it is REAL ID-compliant. Therefore, you can apply for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card at your next regularly scheduled renewal.
• Expires on or after May 3, 2023; or if you are 70 years of age or older and hold a nonexpiring nondriver license
  • Your next regularly scheduled license or ID card renewal will not occur until after REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will be required for the above purposes. If you need to use a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, this means you will need to apply for one prior to May 3, 2023.

IMPORTANT: When applying for a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, please allow time for its processing and mailing (typically 10-15 days). If you need to fly on May 3, 2023, and you wait to renew until April 30, 2023, you will not receive your REAL ID-compliant license or ID card in time to fly. Consider renewing no later than April 1, 2023, if you will need to fly on or soon after May 3, 2023, to allow sufficient time for delivery of your license or ID card.

What is not affected by the REAL ID Act?

The REAL ID Act does not invalidate any previously issued Missouri driver license or nondriver ID card. It does not affect current uses of your license or ID card for purposes such as driving, voting or registering to vote, other state purposes, accessing federal facilities that do not require a person to present identification, age verification, and more.

Can I hold a valid REAL ID-compliant driver license and a valid REAL ID-compliant nondriver ID card at the same time?

No. You cannot hold more than one valid REAL ID-compliant driver license or nondriver ID card at the same time. For example, if you apply for a REAL ID-compliant Missouri license and also hold or want to apply for an ID card, the ID card will be issued as noncompliant. If you are transferring to Missouri from another state and hold a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card, you must surrender any previously issued license or ID card.

IMPORTANT: At the time you apply, Missouri will initiate inquiries to determine if you hold a valid license or ID card in any other state(s). Upon issuance of a Missouri license, ID card or permit notification, notice of your Missouri application will be sent to the prior state(s) of issuance; this may result in the cancellation of all license and ID privileges in the prior state(s) of issuance.

How does the REAL ID Act affect the issuance of Missouri driver licenses and nondriver ID cards?

The REAL ID Act requires state licensing agencies to:

• Ensure production facilities and personnel at license offices and other locations meet physical and procedural security standards for the production and issuance of driver licenses and nondriver ID cards;

• Ensure the submission, verification, and retention of source documents provided as proof of identity, lawful status, Social Security Number, and Missouri residency and mailing address; and

• Ensure all licenses and ID cards, whether they are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, include a compliance status marking.

• REAL ID-compliant licenses and ID cards will have a star in the upper right-hand corner.

• Licenses and ID cards that are not compliant with the REAL ID Act will have “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” in the upper right-hand corner.

• Licenses and ID cards, whether they are compliant with the REAL ID Act or not, may also be marked as “LIMITED TERM” based on the type of document presented as verification of lawful status.

Is Missouri compliant with the REAL ID Act?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared Missouri to be fully compliant with the REAL ID Act and regulation in April 2019. With this notification, federal agencies may accept any REAL ID-compliant card issued and continue to accept for official purposes Missouri-issued driver licenses and nondriver ID cards that are not REAL ID-compliant until May 3, 2023.

Military Policy Change

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) recently finalized an update to its DoD-wide installation security policy and is in the process of no longer accepting noncompliant marked cards across all of its facilities and installations. This means the military is in the process of no longer accepting driver licenses or nondriver identification cards marked as being noncompliant with REAL ID for the purposes of accessing a military base. This policy change impacts DoD installations in all states, not just Missouri.

Prior to May 3, 2023, military bases will accept licenses and ID cards marked as being REAL ID-compliant or Missouri licenses and ID cards issued prior to March 25, 2019, which have no REAL ID marking, compliant or noncompliant. In Missouri, a license or ID card that is noncompliant with REAL ID will have “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” in the upper right-hand corner. Anyone attempting to access a military base with a Missouri-issued license or ID card marked as “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” may be denied entry.

To ensure you have the proper identification, you should contact the military base you plan to visit in advance to obtain information regarding identification requirements.

This page will be updated with additional informational as necessary. For more information about the REAL ID Act, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website at dhs.gov/real-id and the Transportation Security Administration's website at tsa.gov/real-id.