History of Real ID Act in Timeline
The Real ID Act of 2005 mandates specific requirements for driver's licenses and ID cards issued by U.S. states and territories to be acceptable for federal purposes, like entering government buildings, nuclear plants, and boarding commercial flights. These requirements include verifying the applicant's personal information, incorporating security features into the ID, and facilitating electronic data sharing between states. Beyond identification measures, the Act also brought changes to U.S. immigration law, impacting asylum procedures, border security, deportation processes, and certain work visa categories.
July 2004: 9/11 Commission Report
The 9/11 Commission released its report in July 2004, recommending federal standards for identification documents.
December 2004: Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA)
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (IRTPA), enacted in December 2004, directed the creation of a committee to establish standards for state-issued IDs.
2004: Tsunami Relief Funding
In 2004, funding for tsunami relief was a key component of H.R.1268, to which the Real ID Act was later attached.
February 10, 2005: House Approval of Real ID Act
The House of Representatives approved the Real ID Act (H.R.418) on February 10, 2005.
February 2005: House Passes Real ID Act
The House of Representatives passed the Real ID Act in February 2005.
April 21, 2005: Senate Passes H.R.1268 without Real ID Act
The Senate passed H.R.1268, a bill concerning Iraq War and tsunami relief funding, on April 21, 2005, without the Real ID Act attached.
May 3, 2005: AILA Statement on Real ID Act
On May 3, 2005, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) criticized the Real ID Act for its lack of thorough debate and scrutiny during its passage.
May 5, 2005: House Passes H.R.1268 with Real ID Act
The House passed H.R.1268, now including the Real ID Act, on May 5, 2005.
May 10, 2005: Senate Passes H.R.1268 with Real ID Act
The Senate passed H.R.1268, including the Real ID Act, on May 10, 2005.
May 11, 2005: Real ID Act Signed into Law
On May 11, 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Real ID Act into law.
2005: Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act
In 2005, The Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act, a provision within the Real ID Act, allowed certain foreign workers with H-2B visas to apply as returning workers without being counted against the annual visa limit.
2005: Concerns Raised about Real ID Act's Impact on Asylum Seekers
In 2005, critics argued that changes to asylum standards within the Real ID Act would hinder legitimate asylum seekers from obtaining refuge in the United States due to increased evidentiary requirements and official discretion.
2005: Real ID Act of 2005
The Real ID Act of 2005 was passed to establish minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards and make changes to U.S. immigration law.
January 25, 2007: Maine's Rejection of the Real ID Act
On January 25, 2007, the Maine Legislature passed a resolution refusing to implement the Real ID Act, citing concerns about cost, bureaucratic issues, privacy, and identity theft.
February 13, 2007: Bill to Extend Real ID Act Deadlines
On February 13, 2007, a bill was introduced by Senator Susan Collins to extend the deadlines for Real ID Act compliance.
February 16, 2007: Introduction of a Bill to Repeal Real ID Act
On February 16, 2007, Representative Tom Allen introduced a bill to repeal the Real ID Act, which also did not advance.
February 28, 2007: Introduction of the Identification Security Enhancement Act
Senator Daniel Akaka introduced the Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007 on February 28, aiming to repeal the Real ID Act, but the bill did not progress.
May 7, 2007: Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee Expresses Concerns about Real ID Act
On May 7, 2007, the Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee raised concerns about the potential privacy risks posed by the Real ID Act's proposed rules for standardizing state driver's licenses.
November 1, 2007: Lawsuit Challenges Real ID Act's Constitutionality
On November 1, 2007, Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Real ID Act.
November 2007: Human Rights Watch Criticizes Real ID Act's Definition of "Terrorist Activity"
In November 2007, Human Rights Watch criticized the Real ID Act for its broad definition of "terrorist activity," arguing that it could unfairly prevent certain deserving individuals, such as former child soldiers, from receiving asylum or refugee status.
December 18, 2007: Court Rejects Challenge to Real ID Act
Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle dismissed the constitutional challenge to the Real ID Act on December 18, 2007.
January 7, 2008: Court Security Improvement Act of 2007
The Court Security Improvement Act of 2007, enacted on January 7, 2008, allowed federal judges to use their court address on identification documents.
January 2008: ACLU of Maryland Raises Concerns About Potential Overreach of Real ID Act
In January 2008, the ACLU of Maryland expressed concerns that Real ID-compliant identification could become a requirement for various essential tasks, effectively becoming a national ID.
January 29, 2008: DHS Issues Real ID Regulations
On January 29, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued the Real ID regulations outlining a phased implementation schedule with various deadlines and extensions.
February 2008: Bob Barr Criticizes Real ID Act's Potential Infringement on First Amendment Rights
In February 2008, former Representative Bob Barr argued that the Real ID Act could infringe upon First Amendment rights by potentially restricting access to federal buildings and elected officials for those without compliant IDs.
March 17, 2008: Appeal Filed with Supreme Court over Real ID Act
On March 17, 2008, an appeal was filed with the Supreme Court challenging the Real ID Act.
April 17, 2008: Amicus Briefs Filed in Support of Real ID Act Challenge
Several amicus briefs were filed with the Supreme Court on April 17, 2008, supporting the challenge to the Real ID Act.
May 11, 2008: Initial Deadline for Real ID Compliance
May 11, 2008, was set as the initial deadline for federal agencies to stop accepting non-compliant identification documents.
June 23, 2008: Supreme Court Denies Petition on Real ID Act Challenge
The Supreme Court denied the petition to hear the challenge to the Real ID Act on June 23, 2008.
2008: Initial Enforcement Date
The Real ID Act's initial enforcement date for identification documents was set for 2008.
2008: Joint Press Conference Against Real ID Act
In 2008, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and the ACLU held a joint press conference opposing Title II of the Real ID Act.
2008: Concerns about Safety and Privacy
In 2008, concerns were raised about the Real ID Act by organizations like the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, regarding the balance between identifying dangerous individuals and protecting citizen and victim safety.
2008: Presidential Candidates' Stances on Real ID Act
During the 2008 presidential campaign, candidates held varying positions on the Real ID Act, ranging from strong support (McCain) to outright opposition (Obama, Paul), with others expressing concerns or calling for review (Clinton, Huckabee).
April 16, 2009: Missouri House Passes Bill Prohibiting Real ID Act Compliance
On April 16, 2009, the Missouri House of Representatives voted 83-69 to prohibit the state from complying with the Real ID Act.
May 13, 2009: Missouri Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Real ID Act Compliance
The Missouri Senate unanimously passed the bill prohibiting Real ID Act compliance on May 13, 2009.
June 15, 2009: Introduction of the PASS ID Act
Senator Daniel Akaka introduced the PASS ID Act on June 15, 2009, to replace the Real ID Act with a revised version, but it did not proceed beyond the committee stage.
July 13, 2009: Missouri Governor Signs Bill Prohibiting Real ID Act Compliance
On July 13, 2009, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed the bill prohibiting Real ID Act compliance into law.
December 31, 2009: First Extension Deadline
The initial extension for Real ID compliance for states and territories was set for December 31, 2009.
March 7, 2011: DHS Extends Compliance Deadline
On March 7, 2011, DHS extended the deadline for states and territories to comply with the Real ID Act to January 15, 2013.
May 11, 2011: Second Extension Deadline
A second extension for Real ID compliance was available for states and territories until May 11, 2011.
2011: Protest Against Real ID Act in Florida
In 2011, Adrian Wyllie protested against the Real ID Act by driving without a license in Florida, arguing it violated privacy rights, although his legal challenge was unsuccessful.
March 9, 2012: Florida's Anti-Real ID Bill Fails
On March 9, 2012, the Florida Driver's License Citizen Protection Act (HB 109 and S 220), which aimed to discontinue certain Real ID Act provisions, failed to pass the Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee.
2012: States Begin Compliance
States began to comply with the Real ID Act in 2012.
2012: State Certifications Begin
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began certifying states as Real ID compliant in 2012.
January 15, 2013: Extended Compliance Deadline
The extended deadline for state and territory compliance with Real ID was January 15, 2013.
2013: Slowdown in Adoption
After 2013, the adoption of Real ID slowed down.
December 1, 2014: Deadline for Documents (Born After 1964)
The deadline for Real ID compliant documents for individuals born after December 1, 1964, was December 1, 2014.
December 29, 2014: DHS Extends Document Deadline
DHS extended the final deadline for Real ID compliant documents to October 1, 2020, on December 29, 2014.
2014: Initial Enforcement and Compliance Issues
Between 2014 and 2018, enforcement of the Real ID Act began, causing issues due to some states not being compliant with the new standards, thus creating problems with the non-compliant IDs being used to access federal facilities during certain periods.
2014: Enforcement of Real ID Act Begins
In 2014, enforcement of the Real ID Act began for accessing federal facilities.
2014: Enforcement Begins for Federal Facilities
In 2014, enforcement of the Real ID Act began for certain federal facilities.
2015: S2S Implementation
The State-to-State (S2S) Verification Service, used for sharing ID databases, was implemented in 2015.
2015: Enforcement of Real ID Act Begins
In 2015, enforcement of the Real ID Act began for accessing federal facilities.
December 1, 2017: Deadline for Documents (Born Before 1964)
For those born before December 1, 1964, the Real ID document deadline was December 1, 2017.
2017: Missouri and Alaska Repeal Anti-Real ID Laws
In 2017, both Missouri and Alaska repealed their laws opposing the Real ID Act.
December 17, 2018: Amendment to Real ID Act
On December 17, 2018, Congress amended the Real ID Act to clarify eligibility for driver's licenses and ID cards for citizens of the Freely Associated States.
2018: Increased Adoption
Adoption of Real ID increased significantly in 2018 as the final implementation phase neared.
2018: Full Compliance for Air Travel
By 2018, all states and territories achieved compliance or maintained extensions, ensuring acceptance of their identification documents for air travel.
2018: Real ID Act Enforcement for Air Travel
In 2018, the enforcement of the Real ID Act expanded to include boarding airline flights.
2019: Continued Increased Adoption
The increased adoption of Real ID continued in 2019.
March 2020: Border Barrier Construction Negatively Impacts Quitobaquito Springs
By March 2020, the construction of the border barrier, facilitated by the Real ID Act's waiver of certain laws, significantly reduced water flow at Quitobaquito Springs in Arizona, threatening endangered species and the cultural landscape.
March 27, 2020: CARES Act Extends Deadline
The CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, extended the Real ID Act's compliance deadline due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 27, 2020: First Extension Due to COVID-19
On April 27, 2020, the deadline for Real ID compliance was extended by one year to October 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 1, 2020: Final Document Deadline
October 1, 2020 was set as the final deadline for individuals to have Real ID compliant identification documents.
December 27, 2020: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Amends Real ID Act
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act amended the Real ID Act to accept electronic IDs and remove the requirement for applicants to provide Social Security card documentation.
2020: All States Certified Compliant
By 2020, all U.S. states were certified as compliant with the Real ID Act.
2020: All States Certified
By 2020, all states were certified as Real ID compliant by DHS.
May 3, 2021: Second Extension Due to COVID-19
On May 3, 2021, the Real ID compliance deadline was further extended to May 3, 2023.
September 30, 2021: Extended Deadline for State Compliance
The deadline for states to comply with the Real ID Act was extended to at least September 30, 2021.
October 1, 2021: Original Extended Deadline
October 1, 2021 was the initial extended deadline for Real ID compliance after the first extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 5, 2022: Third Extension
On December 5, 2022, the Real ID compliance deadline was extended again to May 7, 2025.
2022: Gender Inclusion on Identification Documents under Real ID Act
By 2022, all states and territories allowed individuals to change their gender on identification documents to male, female, or, in many cases, a gender-neutral marker, in compliance with the Real ID Act's gender inclusion requirement.
2022: DHR Implementation
The Driver History Record (DHR) sharing feature within the S2S system was implemented in 2022.
May 3, 2023: Second Extended Deadline
May 3, 2023, marked the second extended deadline for Real ID Act compliance.
January 2024: Low Compliance Rate
As of January 2024, only 56% of ID documents were Real ID compliant, with 22 states below 40% compliance, prompting discussions of further delays.
September 2024: Proposed Further Delay
In September 2024, the TSA proposed another delay in full Real ID enforcement due to low compliance rates. While the May 7, 2025, deadline was nominally kept, flexible enforcement was suggested until May 5, 2027.
2024: All Territories Certified Compliant
All U.S. territories were certified as compliant with the Real ID Act by 2024.
2024: All Territories Certified
All territories were certified as Real ID compliant by 2024.
2024: S2S and DHR Participation
As of 2024, 43 jurisdictions participated in S2S, and 30 in DHR.
May 7, 2025: Proposed Enforcement Date for Airline Travel
May 7, 2025, was initially set as the enforcement date for using Real ID-compliant identification for air travel.
May 5, 2027: Proposed Delay of Enforcement
The enforcement date for Real ID for air travel was proposed to be delayed to May 5, 2027.