Many New Yorkers Will Be Barred From Leaving The State

Some New Yorkers are going to receive a rude awakening if they try to leave the state via air travel. There have been many warnings, though. The time has come for residents who want to leave New York via airplane to update their travel identification.

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The deadline for NY residents to get a REAL ID or enhanced ID is here! The deadline is this Wednesday, on May 7, 2025, which was extended by two years from May 3, 2023. Now that the deadline is quickly approaching, the NYS DMV is encouraging people to get their IDs now.

Republican U.S. House Representative Jim Sensenbrenner introduced the Real ID Act as H.R. 418 in February 2005, which passed in the House of Representatives. After some debate and delay, the bill was agreed on by both houses and signed into law by Republican President George W. Bush on May 11, 2005.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government 'set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses.' The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for certain purposes driver’s licenses and identification cards from states not meeting the Act’s minimum standards. ~ Department of Homeland Security

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If you do not have a valid passport, you will be barred from leaving New York via air travel. Real or Enhanced IDs will be required to fly domestically, and to enter federal buildings and military bases. You can get an Enhanced ID instead of a Real ID,

"If you are a U.S. citizen and New York State resident, you can apply for a New York State Enhanced License, Permit, or Non-Driver ID that can be used instead of a passport to return to the US by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, and some countries in the Caribbean. An Enhanced Photo Document is not acceptable for air travel between these countries."

If you haven't upgraded your driver's license or ID yet, you can go through the process and get all the requirements here.