Texas REAL ID Deadline: What You Need to Know Before May 7th

Understanding the REAL ID Requirement

• 📌 Starting May 7th, a REAL ID will be required for all airline passengers in Texas to pass through TSA checkpoints.
• 💡 Check your Texas driver's license for a gold star in the upper right corner to determine if it is already a REAL ID.

Getting a REAL ID in Texas

• 🗓️ Appointments for REAL IDs at Texas DPS offices are currently scheduled two to three weeks out, with some later than the May 7th deadline.
• ⏳ Appointments in smaller towns surrounding major cities may be available within a week.
• 📄 To obtain a REAL ID, you will need an original or certified birth certificate or unexpired US passport, a social security card, and current Texas vehicle registration or title.

Alternative IDs and Potential Delays

• ✈️ If you do not have a REAL ID by the deadline, alternative forms of identification such as a US passport, passport card, US Department of Defense ID, or permanent resident card will be accepted.
• ⚠️ Travelers without a REAL ID or accepted alternative may face individual screening and additional questions from TSA, which could cause significant delays and potentially cause you to miss your flight.
• 🔗 More detailed information on REAL ID requirements and acceptable alternative IDs is available on khou.com.