The Real ID deadline is extended — again. What it means for Kentucky residents.

Joe Sonka, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
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Another year, another deadline extension.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has once again extended the deadline for Americans to have a Real ID for access to air travel and military bases.

The new enforcement date for the Real ID Act — first passed by Congress in 2005 — is May 7, 2025. The deadline had been May 3, 2023.

The Real ID Act sets federal standards for all state-issued credentials, requiring anyone 18 or older to have a federally compliant driver’s license or identification card to pass through airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel, or to enter military bases or federal buildings that require identification.

Kentucky Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Matt Henderson, right, speaks with county clerks during a 2018 press conference at Louisville International Airport. The clerks were on hand to see and hear about Kentucky's new driver's license that will be REAL ID compliant and will begin to be available in Kentucky's 120 counties in early 2019.
Kentucky Vehicle Regulation Commissioner Matt Henderson, right, speaks with county clerks during a 2018 press conference at Louisville International Airport. The clerks were on hand to see and hear about Kentucky's new driver's license that will be REAL ID compliant and will begin to be available in Kentucky's 120 counties in early 2019.

In Kentucky, driver's licenses and Real IDs are now handled by the Transportation Cabinet, which has opened more than 40 regional offices across the state.

According to a press release from the cabinet announcing the extension, 17% of Kentuckians with state-issued driving and identification credentials now have a REAL ID version, displaying a star icon in the top right corner of the card. Kentucky residents currently have the option to choose between a standard or federally compliant version of their driver’s license, permit or identification card.

Related:More than 100K Kentuckians have their Real IDs. Here's how to get yours

“We’ve made great strides in the past two years to increase REAL ID access for Kentuckians who prefer to use a driver’s license or ID card to maintain travel and access benefits,” Gov. Andy Beshear stated in the release. “Kentuckians who have a REAL ID can rest easy they’ll be prepared when the time comes. The grace period is welcome news, especially for those still recovering from back-to-back natural disasters, who have more time to gather and replace needed documents if they choose to apply for a REAL ID.”

While the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet offers online and mail-in renewal options, first-time Real ID applicants must apply in person by presenting required documents, including all of the following:

  • One proof of identity (a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card).

  • Proof of Social Security number (Social Security card).

  • One proof of residency (a utility bill or lease).

“I encourage Kentuckians to make a REAL ID plan now by gathering the necessary application documents,” stated Transportation Secretary Jim Gray. “If you plan to use another federally accepted document, like a passport, to travel within the U.S., be sure to check the expiration date to ensure it will still be valid come May 7, 2025.”

Reach reporter Joe Sonka at jsonka@courierjournal.com and follow him on Twitter at @joesonka.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Real ID deadline in Kentucky is extended until May 2025