Arizona Travel ID (REAL ID) federal deadline is taking off

I hope your tray tables and seat backs are in their upright position before takeoff. More importantly, I hope you have a federally compliant form of identification, like a passport or the Arizona Travel ID, or you may not take off at all. 

After nearly a decade of warning people that a new ID was going to be required to fly domestically, we are finally just a few days away from that being the case. That’s right, ADOT has been advising Arizonans about federal REAL ID Act requirements and the Arizona Travel ID since 2016. 

We see that many of you are aware and deciding to update your license or ID. Nearly 85% of people are now selecting the Arizona Travel ID to be ready to fly after the deadline.

However, if you have not heard at least a little something about the REAL ID deadline yet, you are still in luck. The last several years of warnings comes down to this: 

Beginning May 7 you will need a federally compliant credential – like the Arizona Travel ID – to get past TSA checkpoints at airports for domestic flights. This credential is distinguished by a star in the upper right corner and is available to Arizona residents as a driver license or identification card.  

You can walk into any MVD office for this service. Some authorized third party locations are also a great option if you don’t have time until later in the evening or on Saturdays. 

The Arizona Travel ID costs $25 and is valid for eight years. The new Arizona Travel ID card will arrive in the mail within 10-14 days. So be sure to upgrade your credential at least two weeks before your next flight.

Because the Arizona Travel ID is compliant with the federal standards, you will need to provide extra documentation like a birth certificate, Social Security number and proof of Arizona residency.

Join the 2.75 million Arizonans who have already upgraded to the Arizona Travel ID and be ready to fly to your favorite U.S. destinations this summer and beyond.

More information, and a full list of qualifying documents are available at azdot.gov/TravelID.