REAL ID Act
Updated: Wikipedia source
The REAL ID Act of 2005 is a United States federal law that standardized requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards issued by U . states and territories in order to be accepted for accessing U . government facilities, nuclear power plants, and for boarding airline flights in the United States. The requirements include verification of the personal information presented when applying for the identification document, security features on the document, and electronic sharing of databases between states. The act also made modifications to U . immigration law regarding asylum, border security, deportation, and specific work visas. Enacted in response to the September 11 attacks, the provisions regarding identification documents were originally intended to take effect in 2008, but enforcement was repeatedly delayed due to widespread opposition and refusal by many state governments to implement them. Eventually states began to comply in 2012, and enforcement based on the issuing state or territory began from 2014 to 2018 depending on the facility. After numerous extensions, by 2020, all states were certified as compliant, and by 2024, all territories were certified. Enforcement based on the identification documents began on May 7, 2025, and is scheduled to be implemented in phases until complete enforcement begins on May 5, 2027.