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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025.​​

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REAL ID Ready?  Minnesotans Have Options

Beginning May 7, 2025​, Minnesotans, 18 years of age or older, will not be able to use their standard driver's license or identification card to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities. Instead, they will need one of three options:

• Minnesota REAL ID driver's license or identification card.
  
• Minnesota enhanced driver's license or identification card.
• Other federally-approved forms of identification. They are listed online here, but include:
• U.S. passport or passport card.
• Foreign government-issued passport
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• U.S. Department of defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents

If you are not sure which license type is right for you, select the Help Me Choose a Type of License or ID tool at drive.mn.gov.​

What is REAL ID?

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act established security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards.

When you apply for a REAL ID driver's license or ID card you must provide:

• 1 proof of identity, date of birth and legal presence document.
  
• 1 proof of social security number document.
• 2 proof of current Minnesota residency documents.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended the deadline for federal enforcement of REAL ID to May 7, 2025.

Check for the Star

 Not sure if you have a REAL ID driver's license or ID card?

• REAL ID: Minnesota REAL ID driver's licenses and identification cards ​display a star.
  
  
• Enhanced: Enhanced driver's licenses and identification cards display the words "Enhanced Driver's License" or "Enhanced Identification Card" and a U.S. flag. Cards issued after Jan. 1, 2021, also display the star to show the card meets REAL ID requirements​. 
  
  
• Standard: A standard driver's licenses or identification card displays the words "Not for Federal Identification".

You can verify the type of card you have online at drive.mn.gov. Select More Driver Services from the Driver Services panel and click the Driver's License Status link. ​​

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REAL ID Airport Office Open to Serve Minnesota Airport Travelers

Minnesota airport travelers are able to apply for their REAL ID inside the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s (MSP) Terminal 1.

The REAL ID Airport Office accepts Minnesota REAL ID applications Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. by appointment only. Minnesotans can schedule their appointment for the day they fly out of MSP Terminal 1 online at drive.mn.gov by selecting Apply for a REAL ID at MSP Airport located on level 3 between the gold and green ramp.

Minnesotans should complete the online pre-application before their appointment and double-check their required documents to make sure they have what they need for their application. This will prevent the need for a second visit.

Only One of the Two REAL ID Required Residency Documents can be a Financial Document

The REAL ID Required Documents list previously indicated that an applicant was able to use two financial documents - such as a bank statement, canceled check, or credit card statement – for both proof of residency documents.

DVS reviewed the Federal Real ID documentation requirements and determined that only one financial document may be used for proof of residency. The second document must be another acceptable document from the REAL ID list. The Required Documents list has been updated on the website​. 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Reminder: REAL ID and Passports are not Your Only Options Come May 7, 2025

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reminding everyone that there are options for federally-approved fo​​rms of identification in addition to a REAL ID. Beginning May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, enhanced driver's license or ID, or another acceptable form of identification will be required to fly domestically and enter federal facilities.

 

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration accepts several other forms of identify documents. They are lis​​​ted online here​, but include:

• U.S. Department of defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
  
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID

 The federal REAL ID Act does not require individuals to present identification where it is not currently required to a​​ccess a federal facility, such as to enter public areas of the Smithsonian.

 

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Important Things to Remember

• Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age or older will need a REAL ID, enhanced driver's license or ID, passport or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States or enter federal facilities. 

• Minnesotans will be able to use their standard licenses and ID cards for federal purposes, including boarding domestic flights, until May 7, 2025​. 

• REAL ID applicants should be sure to have all required documentation with them at the time of application. Visit the Required Documents page for a full list. 

 

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Minnesota Issuing REAL ID Driver's Licenses and ID Cards as of Oct. 1, 2018

 

With the launch of a new driver's license system Oct. 1, 2018, Minnesotans now have the option to apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card.

 

 

To help reduce wait times, please consider the pre-application feature that allows you to enter a significant portion of your driver's license or ID card application online - including REAL ID applications - reducing the time spent in driver's license offices. It's a good way to ensure you have all necessary documents ready when you visit a driver's license office.

 

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REAL ID Scoreboard

 

As of April 2, 2024, 37.62​ percent of Minnesota driver's license and identification card holders are currently REAL ID ready. ​

 

• ​37.62 percent on April 2, 2024
• 37.53 percent on March 1, 2024​
• 37.50 percent on Feb. 1, 2024
• ​37.46 percent on Jan. 3, 2024
• 37.31 percent on Dec. 1, 2023
• ​37.21 percent on Nov. 2, 2023
• ​37.10 percent on Oct. 2, 2023
• 36.91 percent on Sept. 5, 2023
• ​36.69 percent on Aug. 1, 2023​​
  
• 36.28 percent on June 1, 2023​
• ​36.04 percent on May 1, 2023
• ​35.01 percent on March 9, 2023
• ​​34.76 percent on Feb. 9​, 2023
• 34.50 percent on Jan. 9, 2023
• 34.17 percent on Dec. 9, 2022
• ​33.81 percent on Nov. 15, 2022
• 29.83 percent on Oct. 28, 2022.​
  
• 29.52 percent on Feb. 1, 2022.
• 28.96 percent on Jan. 1, 2022.
  
• 28.45 percent on Dec. 1, 2021.
  
• 27.95 percent on Nov. 1, 2021.
• 27.42 percent on Oct. 1, 2021.
• 26.89 percent on Sept. 1, 2021.
  
• 24.64 percent on July 31, 2021​.
• 23.28 percent on March 31, 2021.
• 21.46 percent on Feb. 28, 2021.
  
• 20.74 percent on Jan. 31, 2021.​
  
• 20.16 percent on Dec. 31, 2020.
• 19.56 percent on Nov. 30, 2020.
• 19.09 percent on Oct. 31, 2020. 
• 18.37 percent on Sept. 30, 2020.
• 17.60 percent on Aug. 31, 2020.
• 16.76 percent on July 31, 2020.
• 15.97 percent on June 30, 2020.
• 15.08 percent on May 31, 2020.
• 14.95 percent on April 30, 2020.
• 14.96 percent on March 31, 2020.
• 13.62 percent on Feb. 28, 2020.
• 12.04 percent on Jan. 30, 2020.
• 10.72 percent on Jan. 1, 2020.
• 9.72 percent on Nov. 27, 2019.
• 8.91 percent on Nov. 1, 2019.
• 7.8 percent on Sept. 27, 2019.​