The deadline for the Real ID to fly nationally, has been extended. The TSA agencies were expected to accept the nationally approved IDs starting May 3, 2023. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has officially issued a two-year extension, until the beginning of May 7, 2025. This new update has been identified to be a new mandatory requirement for air travelers, and other “federal facilities.”

 The DHS blamed the “latest extension partly on the ‘lingering impacts’ of the COVID-19 pandemic”. But the virus isn’t the only cause for the delay to “implement stricter forms of identification.”

An example of the DHS blaming the pandemic is how they wanted there to be new implemented requirements that are mandated the by Real ID Modernization Act. With this extension, Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas said,”it will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license or identification card.”

A Real ID doesn’t replace your passport for international travel. Examples can include not being able to use your Real ID for border crossing into Canada, or Mexico. If you are traveling nationally, you will need to show one form of identification which include either your Real ID or your passport, “not both”.

Also, “Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDL) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards.”