Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license/permit/identification card or another acceptable federal form of ID to fly within the United States, visit military bases, or enter a federal building that requires ID. REAL ID compliant cards in Kentucky are known as REAL IDs and have a star cutout in a black circle in the upper-right portion of the card.
Here’s a list of acceptable forms of ID for U.S. commercial air travel:
Kentucky’s REAL ID card versions or other REAL ID-compliant cards offered by other states
U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
DHS trusted traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card
Border crossing card
DHS-designated enhanced driver’s license
Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
HSPD-12 PIV card
Foreign government-issued passport
Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
Transportation worker identification credential (TWIC®)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Military bases and federal buildings like the White House will accept REAL
IDs. Contact the base or building directly before visiting for a list of other acceptable forms of identification.
Where to get a U.S. passport
How to get a U.S. passport
If your current legal name, date of birth, or gender is different than what is displayed on your identity or lawful status document, you must show legal proof of the changes (i.e., marriage licenses, court orders, divorce papers).
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CREDENTIALS
The
standard credential is a state-maintained but not REAL-ID compliant card. Standard licenses and IDs will remain acceptable for the following:
Driving
Voting
Age-restricted purchases
Accessing federal and social benefit services like VA hospitals, Social Security offices, federal courthouses and more
Current Kentucky license holders without a name or address change need to present their current license if applying for a standard credential.
Those applying for a standard credential for the first time, like new card holders, should bring in the following:
One (1) valid proof of identity
One (1) valid proof of Social Security number
One (1) valid proof of residency
Proof of all legal identity changes (if applicable)
Additional documentation may be required for minors (see
GDLP)
Until May 7, 2025, standard credentials can be used for the following:
A complete
list of acceptable documents is available for download.
The REAL
ID is a state-maintained license or ID that is acceptable for:
Air travel within the U.S.
Visiting military bases and restricted federal facilities, like the White House
Driving
Voting
Age-restricted purchases
Accessing federal and social benefit services like VA hospitals, Social Security offices, federal courthouses and more
To apply for a new REAL
ID, applicants should bring in the following:
One (1) valid proof of identity
One (1) valid proof of Social Security number
Two (2) valid proofs of residency
Proof of all legal identity changes (if applicable)
Additional documentation may be required for minors (see GDLP)
A complete
list of acceptable documents is available for download.