When the REAL ID Act of 2005 was introduced, it promised to strengthen national security by setting higher standards for state-issued IDs, especially when it came to air travel, access to federal buildings, and more. Since then, the roll-out of the REAL ID program has faced delays, but with the impending enforcement deadline, many are questioning if REAL IDs deliver the level of security intended.
Are REAL IDs really more secure?
One of the primary selling points of the REAL ID is its increased security. The process for obtaining a REAL ID is certainly more rigorous than for previous state-issued IDs. Applicants must provide a variety of documentation, including proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and two proofs of address.
Despite this, we have already seen fraudsters creating fake IDs with REAL ID markers, such as the gold star on the top right corner. While it is more difficult to obtain a REAL ID than a regular state-issued ID, businesses should be cautious about accepting REAL IDs without further verification.
We analyzed about 170 million ID scans in 2024 to see if IDs purporting to be REAL-compliant documents were less likely to be fraudulent.
Our data revealed that REAL IDs were 36.1% more likely to be flagged as fraudulent.
Why is the US switching to REAL IDs?
The REAL ID Act was passed in response to the events of 9/11, with the goal of making IDs more secure to prevent identity theft, fraud, and terrorism. This national security initiative required states to issue IDs that met specific federal standards in order to be accepted by TSA, federal agencies, and other institutions.
Originally slated to take full effect in 2008, the deadline has been pushed back multiple times, with the latest being May 7, 2025. In December 2020, Congress passed legislation allowing mobile driver’s licenses (mDLs) to comply with REAL ID requirements. Since then, the TSA has taken over management of the initiative.
As of now, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded over $263 million in grants to assist states with enhancing their driver’s licenses and IDs to meet REAL ID standards. While the original aim was to prevent another 9/11-style attack, over 20 years later, the focus has shifted to protecting against identity theft and illegal immigration.
The current status of REAL IDs
According to the Department of Homeland Security, as of January 2024, just over half (56%) of all IDs in circulation in the U.S. are REAL ID-compliant. While all states, territories, and the District of Columbia are now compliant with REAL ID standards, the percentage of REAL ID-compliant IDs varies greatly from state to state. CBS News found that in April 2025, less than a month before the enforcement deadline, only 13 states had greater than 90% compliance, with states having as low as 17% compliance.
To put it into perspective, there are approximately 162 million REAL IDs in circulation, while around 110 million noncompliant IDs and 14 million legacy IDs (those issued before a state’s REAL ID compliance determination) are also in circulation. The national adoption rate of REAL IDs is currently 0.56% per month, meaning by the enforcement deadline in May 2025, only around 61.2% of IDs would be REAL ID-compliant.
The (mostly) REAL deadline
Enforcement of the REAL ID Act is set to begin on May 7, 2025. However, there will be “some flexibility” allowed for up to two years to prevent operational disruptions, especially at DMV offices and TSA checkpoints, per the Department of Homeland Security. The enforcement of REAL IDs will be necessary for things like air travel (unless you have a passport), accessing military bases, secure federal buildings, or nuclear power plants.
The TSA has also proposed delaying full enforcement until May 5, 2027, allowing time for individuals and businesses to adjust. During this transition period, agencies will have the option to issue warning notices or impose progressive consequences for non-compliance, ensuring that businesses and travelers have adequate time to make the necessary adjustments.
Are mobile drivers licenses (mDLs) considered REAL IDs?
Mobile drivers licenses, or mDLs, can be REAL ID compliant and are accepted at over 250 TSA checkpoints. mDLs are digital representations of the state-issued physical ID, so if the physical ID must be REAL ID compliant, the mDL is too.
In addition to accepting REAL ID-compliant mDLs, the TSA will continue accepting non-compliant mDLs from states that have been issued a waiver allowing for federal use. While no waivers have been announced yet, the application process is open, and the TSA has stated it will decide on applications within 90 days of receiving.
How can businesses prevent ID fraud?
It is essential to ensure that your business is truly verifying the legitimacy of IDs and not relying on visual inspection or legacy ID verification systems that cannot detect more sophisticated fake identity documents.
