To know if you have a REAL ID, check your driver's license or state ID card for a specific marking: a gold star in the upper right corner. This star indicates that your ID is REAL ID-compliant and meets federal security standards required for boarding domestic flights and accessing certain federal facilities starting May 7, 2025
. Here are key points to identify a REAL ID:
- Look for a star symbol in the top right corner of your ID. The star may be gold or appear within a specific design depending on your state (e.g., a gold circle or state silhouette with a star)
- If your license or ID does not have this star or similar marking, it is not REAL ID-compliant
- Enhanced driver’s licenses or IDs are automatically REAL ID-compliant regardless of the star marking
- You can also verify your REAL ID status through your state's DMV or motor vehicle agency website, where some states offer online lookup tools
If you do not have a REAL ID but need one, you must apply in person at your DMV with required documents proving your identity, Social Security number, and residency
. In summary, the presence of a gold star on your state-issued driver's license or ID card is the primary way to know if you have a REAL ID
