Is KY REAL ID still a thing? When you need one and what happens if you don’t have it
After multiple extensions, the enforcement date for REAL ID is closing in, and it officially begins Wednesday, May 7.
REAL ID’s enforcement is 20 years in the making, as the federal act that enacted it was passed by Congress in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks of 2001.
To be clear, travelers can still obtain REAL IDs after enforcement goes live. Valid REAL IDs include state-issued driver’s licenses, U.S. passports and military IDs, to name a few examples.
Once enforcement is in effect, however, travelers will need some form of compliant identification to board domestic flights, visit military bases or get access to federal facilities that require them. Otherwise, the Transportation Security Administration is warning fliers they could face added inconvenience if they don’t have a valid REAL ID.
“We urge Kentuckians to have a plan for their travel needs. If you don’t need to fly right away, you still have time to upgrade or get a real ID before you do,” Allen Blair, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, wrote the Herald-Leader in a March 13 email.
As of the end of February, exactly 1,270,737 Kentuckians had opted for REAL ID driver’s licenses and state ID cards, Blair said. That figure represents almost 35% of the people carrying those types of credentials in the Bluegrass State.
If you have an upcoming flight and need to know if you have a valid REAL ID (or how to get one if you do not), here’s what to know.
What happens if you try to board a flight without a valid REAL ID?
Should you arrive at the airport without an acceptable form of REAL ID, it’s possible you may still be allowed to fly. The catch is the TSA is warning of possible delays for travelers without REAL IDs.
Those without REAL IDs may be asked by a TSA officer to complete additional identity verification. You’ll need to provide your name and current address to confirm your identity, after which, you may be subject to additional screening.
This in turn means you’ll need to arrive at the airport much earlier to avoid missing your flight.
“TSA recommends individuals without acceptable identification arrive at least three hours in advance of their flight time,” the federal agency’s website states.
If you don’t provide a REAL ID, refuse to cooperate with the identity verification process or your identity simply cannot be confirmed for whatever reason, you will not be able to get through security.
What counts as a REAL ID?
In Kentucky, REAL ID-compliant cards are marked with a white star in a black circle.
Per the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the following are considered 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
U.S. Department of Homeland Security 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)
How do I get a Kentucky-issued REAL ID?
First, you’ll need to gather several documents and then book an appointment at one of the state’s regional driver licensing offices. Walk-ins are accepted, but at a limited capacity, so your safest bet is to book an appointment.
You cannot obtain your REAL ID online in Kentucky.
Next, you’ll need to collect and provide several types of documents during your appointment to confirm your identity. You can start with the Kentucky IDocument quiz to get a sense of what documents you need for your situation (for example, if your name has changed).
In general, you will need one proof of identity, one proof of Social Security number, two proofs of residency and any proof of name change, if applicable.
Acceptable proof of identity documents include:
Original birth certificate
Passport documents
Resident/citizenship documents, such as a permanent resident card, a certificate of naturalization or certificate of citizenship, for example
These must be original documents and not photocopies.
Proof of Social Security options include:
Your Social Security card
Income documents, such as your W-2, wage and tax statements or your most recent 1099 form. A pay stub or statement can also work.
Acceptable forms of proof of residency, which you need two of, include:
A lease or rental agreement
Mortgage statements
Insurance policy
Property tax bill
Kentucky vehicle registration
The cost for a REAL ID compliant state driver’s license valid for four years is $24. For an eight-year license, the cost is $48.
If you just want a compliant state identification card, the cost is $14 for a four-year credential and $28 for an eight-year credential.
Do you have a question about Lexington or Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.
This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 5:00 AM.