REAL ID Deadline Is Days Away: What You Need To Know In CT

CONNECTICUT — The deadline for Connecticut travelers to get a REAL ID is next month, and time and opportunity to get one is running out.

Starting on May 7, residents will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights or enter certain federal buildings, if they don't have a passport or other approved form of identification.

The Real ID Act is not some newly-hatched Draconian regulation meant to curtail your rights. The legislation was passed in 2005 in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and aims to strengthen national security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards. Initially set to take effect in 2008, implementation has been delayed multiple times, with the final deadline now set for May 7, 2025. You may already have one: a gold star on your license or ID card indicates you already have a verified ID.

The procedure to obtain a Real ID has not changed, but the crunch of time has now made it a bit more of a challenge.

How to Get Your Real ID

To obtain a Real ID in Connecticut:

• Schedule an appointment at a DMV office or partner location like DMV Express.
• Check service availability before selecting an appointment location.
• Prepare required documents. In most cases, you need a U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate; a Social security card (if lost, you can request a replacement here); two pieces of mail from two different sources dated within 90 days to prove that you live in Connecticut.
• Pay a $30 fee if requesting a Real ID before your renewal date.
• Track your card online—expect delivery within 20 business days.

For more details, visit the Connecticut DMV website.

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Travel Impact: What Happens If You Don’t Have a Real ID?

If travelers arrive at airport security checkpoints with noncompliant IDs, it could cause massive delays. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that only about 70 percent of state-issued IDs will be Real ID-compliant by the deadline, raising concerns about:

• Missed flights due to long security lines.
• Increased security risks from distracted TSA personnel.
• Potential mayhem at airports if enforcement is strict.

TSA screens about 2.5 million passengers daily. If just 1% present noncompliant IDs, 25,000 travelers could be turned away each day, with potentially 2.25 million denied travel in three months.

with Patch editor Michelle Rotuno-Johnson