Real ID Act (USA)

The Real ID Act, enacted in 2005, sets nationwide standards for state-issued identification such as driver’s licenses and ID cards. Its goal is to improve security by ensuring these IDs meet federal requirements, making them harder to forge and more reliable for verifying identity. Starting from May 2023, individuals will need a compliant Real ID to access certain secure federal facilities, board domestic flights, or enter nuclear power plants. States issue Real ID cards with enhanced security features, but individuals can still opt for standard IDs unless they need to use their ID for specific federal purposes.