Virginia REAL ID: What You Need to Know
To board a flight after May 3, 2023, your ID will need to be REAL ID compliant.
Written by Cassandra Hamilton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
If your
Virginia
driver’s license is the primary ID you use to fly, make sure it’s REAL ID compliant by May 3, 2023. Otherwise, you won’t be able to get through security.Your flight checklist: phone, carry-on, plane ticket, driver’s license… wait! Is that license REAL ID compliant? You’ll need to make sure your identification meets the criteria set forth by the 2005 REAL ID Act in order to use it to fly.
So what is a REAL ID, anyway? Luckily,
Jerry
is here with a guide on how to make sure your license is REAL ID compliant in the state of Virginia. 
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What is REAL ID?
After 9/11, most of the U.S. saw the need for increased national security. The 9/11 Commission was formed and recommended the
REAL ID Act
, which Congress passed in 2005. The REAL ID Act heightens the standards for ID documents.Many driver’s licenses issued in the recent past are REAL ID compliant. You’ll want to make sure yours is too prior to May 3, 2023, or your license will become a less useful identification document in years to come.
Who needs a REAL ID?
You will need a REAL ID by May 3, 2023, in order to:
- Access nuclear power plants
- Enter some federal facilities
- Board any federally regulated aircraft (including domestic flights)
Okay, you may never have to access a nuclear power plant or enter a federal facility—but you’ll probably want to fly on an airplane at some point. Most people use their driver’s licenses to get past the TSA checkpoint, but as of May 3, 2023, your license will need to be REAL ID compliant in order to do so.
Your license isn’t the only REAL ID-compliant document you can use, though. The TSA has
provided a list
of other documents that are accepted.Key Takeaway Heightened ID requirements, known as REAL ID, go into effect on May 3, 2023.
How to get a Virginia REAL ID
Virginia doesn’t default to issuing REAL ID, so you’ll need to check if yours is compliant or not. REAL ID-compliant licenses have a star enclosed in a black circle in the top-right corner.
If you want to exchange your license for a REAL ID-compliant license, renew your license to be compliant, or apply for a compliant license for the first time, you will need to make a
DMV appointment
, start an online application
, and bring the required documents
to your appointment.Acceptable documents include:
- Birth certificate
- Utility bill
- W2
- Piece of mail addressed to you
- U.S. passport
- Pay stub with full Social Security number
The fee for getting a REAL ID is an additional $10 on top of any other applicable fees. That would mean your $32 license renewal becomes $42 to make your license REAL ID-compliant.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
Do I need a REAL ID?
It’s possible you won’t need a REAL ID. If you’re not sure, check the
Department of Homeland Security’s website
.
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