Press Release
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) is reminding residents that they must present a federally approved form of identification, such as a REAL ID driver’s license, a REAL ID identification card, or a valid U.S. passport, when proceeding through airport security for domestic flights. A full list of TSA acceptable documents is available at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification and includes foreign government issued passport, and permanent resident card.
Massachusetts currently has over 65% adoption statewide with over 3.67 million residents possessing a REAL ID. Residents do not need to wait until their current license or ID expires and may renew up to one year before the printed expiration date.
TSA has announced that beginning February 1, 2026, travelers arriving at the airport without a federally approved ID will be required to enroll in the TSA’s Confirm ID program. To enroll, travelers will be directed to provide information for identity verification. The verification takes between 10–30 minutes and costs $45 covering 10 days of travel.
“We want everyone to be able to get through airport security as quickly and smoothly as possible. For that reason, we are encouraging residents to check that they have a REAL ID available for future travel including school vacations or spring and summer travel,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Colleen Ogilvie. “Residents can visit the Mass.Gov/REALID website to learn what documents are required and plan ahead to gather their documents before their in-person appointment.”
Individuals who need to apply for a REAL ID are required to do so through an in-person appointment which can be scheduled through the RMV’s Online Service Center at Mass.Gov/myRMV, or at Northeast.aaa.com for AAA members.
Travelers should plan ahead to request and obtain certified documents if needed, schedule an in-person appointment, and allow three weeks after the appointment for receipt of the REAL ID by mail. The REAL ID typically arrives within 10– 14 business days.
Information on REAL ID requirements, visit Mass.Gov/REALID
General RMV services, visit Mass.Gov/RMV
TSA identification guidelines, visit tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification
TSA Confirm ID Program, visit: https://www.tsa.gov/tsaconfirm-id
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