New REAL ID Options: What It Means In FL

FLORIDA — As the deadline gets closer for Florida travelers to have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state identification card, federal officials have set new guidelines for using digital IDs.

Under the REAL ID Act of 2005, travelers will need an updated driver's license, ID card, or provide other documentation before they can board domestic flights, enter nuclear power plants, or access certain federal buildings.

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration published amendments to the REAL ID regulations last week, which will allow people to show their mobile driver's licenses at airport security checkpoints. These forms of ID are stored on devices such as smartphones, and can be read electronically at certain checkpoints.

States will be allowed to apply for a waiver from the TSA to accept digital identification cards — as long as they comply with REAL ID security protocols — once enforcement begins on May 7, 2025.

Travelers could have more time to get their REAL IDs sorted out, as officials proposed a different rule that would allow for the requirements to be implemented in phases. That could push the date for full REAL ID enforcement back to May 7, 2027, if the TSA and other federal agencies choose to take this phased approach.

Regardless, the TSA said it is publishing this rule about mobile driver's licenses now, so that states have time to make sure their digital ID systems are compliant with REAL ID fraud protections.

More comprehensive mobile driver's licenses requirements are likely to come once federal guidelines are finalized.

Currently, in Florida, Miami International Airport accepts digital IDs.

While the REAL ID Act became effective nationwide on May 11, 2008, Florida began issuing REAL ID compliant credentials after Jan. 1, 2010, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department.

The new credentials have a star in the upper right corner of the card. As a REAL ID compliant state, all Florida licenses should be accepted nationwide.

Floridians must visit a driver’s license service center or tax collector office to become REAL ID compliant for the first time, state officials said.

U.S. citizens must bring one of the following primary documents to establish identity, proof of legal residence and date of birth when obtaining a REAL ID:

• Valid, unexpired U.S. passport
• Original or certified copy of a birth certificate
• Consular report of birth abroad
• Certificate of naturalization issued by DHS
• Certificate of citizenship

For cases where the current name and the name on the primary identity document are different, you should also bring a court-ordered name change document, a marriage certificate issued by the courts and/or a divorce decree issued by the courts.

Non-citizens should bring:

• Valid, unexpired permanent resident card
• Valid passport for non-immigrants except for asylum applicants and refugees
• Other government issued document showing your full name
• Department of Homeland Security document showing proof of lawful presence

If your name has changed by marriage/divorce, you must have your name changed on your Citizen and Immigration Services (CIS) documents.

Both citizens and non-citizens will need to bring:

• Your social security card or proof of your social security number
• Two documents that show your principal residence