Guide
REAL ID requirements: the documents every state asks for
- Federal minimum
- Name and birth date, SSN, 2 address proofs, lawful status
- Enforcement
- Began 7 May 2025
- Instead of REAL ID
- A US passport or another ID on TSA's list
Every state follows the same federal minimum, then adds rules of its own. Here is the minimum, what TSA accepts instead, and how the five biggest states differ.
A real moment
“Your DMV appointment is tomorrow. You have your passport, but the lease is in your partner's name and your bank statements only exist as PDFs.”
For a REAL ID, every state must see proof of your full legal name and date of birth, your Social Security number, two proofs of your home address, and proof of lawful status. If your name has changed, bring papers that link your names. States can ask for more, so check your DMV before you go.
The checklist
What to have ready
Last checked against the official sources on 1 October 2026
Everyone
- Proof of your full legal name and date of birthYour state lists which documents it accepts.
- Your Social Security numberYour card, or a W-2, SSA-1099, non-SSA-1099 or pay stub showing your name and number.
- Two proofs of your home addressUSA.gov gives examples: a deed, mortgage statement, lease, utility bill or bank statement.
- Proof of lawful statusYour state's list shows which documents prove it.
Only if they apply
- Name-change papersDocuments that link the name on your papers to your name today. You do not have to list every past name.Only if your name has changed
- Online upload before your visitSome states let you upload documents first. You still bring the originals.Only if your state offers it
State rules at a glance
- California2 printed proofs of a California mailing address, in your first and last name. Copies are accepted, and you can upload them online first.
- Texas2 printed proofs of address, one showing at least 30 days in Texas. Many must be dated within 180 days.
- Florida2 proofs of a Florida home address, printouts accepted. Many must be dated within 60 days, and your current licence does not count.
- New York2 proofs of New York residency, no P.O. box, and nothing issued more than a year before your visit.
- Pennsylvania2 physical, not electronic, proofs of address, as originals or certified copies. A one-time $30 fee.
The federal minimum, in plain words
What TSA accepts if you have no REAL ID
How five big states differ
Federal minimum
Name and birth date, SSN, 2 address proofs, lawful status
Enforcement
Began 7 May 2025
Instead of REAL ID
A US passport or another ID on TSA's list
No ID at the airport
TSA ConfirmID, $45, since 1 February 2026
The federal minimum
TSA's REAL ID rules ask every state to see proof of your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of your home address and lawful status. If your Social Security card is missing, a W-2, SSA-1099, non-SSA-1099 or pay stub with your name and number also works.
What TSA accepts instead
Enforcement began on 7 May 2025. A REAL ID is one option, but TSA also accepts a US passport or passport card, trusted traveler cards such as Global Entry, a permanent resident card and other IDs on its list. It accepts an expired ID for up to two years, but not a temporary paper licence. Children under 18 need no ID on domestic flights.
If you reach the airport with no acceptable ID
Since 1 February 2026 you can pay $45 for TSA ConfirmID, which tries to verify who you are another way. USA.gov says the check is valid for 10 days from your departure date.
Proof of address is where states differ
Every state asks for two proofs of address, but the details change. Texas wants one that shows 30 days in the state, Florida many dated within 60 days, and New York nothing older than a year and no P.O. box. Pennsylvania refuses electronic statements, while California, Texas, Florida and New York accept printed ones.
Upload first, bring the originals
DHS lets states take documents electronically before your visit, and California and New York do. You still bring the same documents in person. A DigiSafe pack keeps the set together, so the upload and the visit match.
Step by step
- 1
Open your state DMV's REAL ID checklist.
- 2
Open Packs in DigiSafe and start a REAL ID pack with a custom list.
- 3
Scan your identity document and your Social Security proof.
- 4
Add two recent proofs of address that match your application.
- 5
Add name-change papers if your name has changed.
- 6
Upload them if your state allows it, then bring the originals.
Questions people ask
What documents do I need for a REAL ID?+
Proof of your full legal name and date of birth, your Social Security number, two proofs of your home address, and proof of lawful status, plus name-change papers if your name has changed. Your state can ask for more.
Do I need my Social Security card for a REAL ID?+
Not always. TSA lists a W-2, SSA-1099, non-SSA-1099 or a pay stub with your name and number as alternatives, and California says the card is not required.
Can I use a bank statement printed from online?+
In California, Texas, Florida and New York, printed electronic statements are accepted. Pennsylvania asks for physical documents, not electronic ones.
Do I need a REAL ID to fly?+
Since enforcement began on 7 May 2025, TSA checkpoints accept a REAL ID or another ID on its list, such as a US passport. Without one, you can pay $45 for TSA ConfirmID.
Where this comes from
Official sources, dated.
Every requirement on this page comes from the official pages listed here, last checked on 1 October 2026. Rules change and offices can ask for more, so check the official page before you go.
Read next
REAL ID California
Every state applies the same federal minimum: proof of your full legal name and date of birth, your Social Security number, two proofs of your home address, and lawful status.
Proof of address
There is no single list: the bank, the DMV and the passport office each publish their own.
Lost Social Security card
A replacement card is free, and you may not need one at all.
Do it in a minute, on your phone.
DigiSafe is free, encrypted on your device, and it works offline.