Nevada Licenses: Valid For Air Travel?

are nevada licenses good for travel on airplanes

As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license is required to board commercial aircraft on domestic flights in the US. This means that your driver's license must have a gold star in the upper right corner, indicating that it meets the REAL ID Act standards. Nevada residents can obtain a REAL ID-compliant license by presenting proof of identity, Social Security, and Nevada residency at a DMV office. This paragraph introduces the topic of whether Nevada licenses are suitable for air travel and provides an overview of the relevant requirements and procedures.

Characteristics Values
Date from which a Real ID is required for air travel 7 May 2025
Alternative forms of identification Passport, military ID
Cost of a Real ID driver's license $8.25
Cost of a Real ID ID card $7.25
Cost of a Real ID commercial license $12.25
Where to obtain a Real ID In person at the DMV
Documents required to obtain a Real ID Proof of identity, Social Security, Nevada residency
Documents required to prove identity Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport, U.S. state-issued birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship, Permanent Resident Card, Valid, unexpired foreign passport with an I-94 stamped "Processed for I-551", Unexpired Employment Authorization Card, Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with an unexpired U.S. Visa and an I-94 form
Documents required to prove name change Marriage certificate, divorce decree, court-ordered change
Documents required to prove Social Security Social Security Card
Documents required to prove Nevada residency Receipt for rent or lease of a residence, Lease of a residence, Record from a public utility for a service address, Bank or credit card statement, Employment check stub, Document from a state or federal court, Record, receipt or bill requesting payment, Record from an educational institution in Nevada, Record from a hotel, motel, recreational vehicle park or campground located in Nevada indicating no fewer than 30 days of consecutive residency in this state, Voter registration card issued by a county clerk or county registrar of voters pursuant to NRS 293.517, Documentation of receipt of benefits from any State of Nevada program of public assistance, Leave and Earnings Statement or equivalent or successor form which indicates Nevada residency of an applicant who is a member of the military deployed outside Nevada on active duty, Notarized statement from the owner of a residence indicating that the applicant physically resides at the residence

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What is a Real ID?

A Real ID is a form of identification that meets the minimum security standards set by the US federal government. In Nevada, a Real ID-compliant driver's license or ID card will have a gold star in the upper right corner.

From May 7, 2025, all Americans will need to show a Real ID-compliant driver's license, a current US passport, or another accepted form of identification to get through airport security for domestic flights or to enter secure federal buildings. This is due to the REAL ID Act, which was passed by Congress in May 2005 as part of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and the Tsunami Relief Act. The Act is intended to combat terrorism, identity theft, and other crimes by strengthening the integrity and security of state-issued identification.

To obtain a Real ID in Nevada, individuals must present proof of identity, residency, and Social Security in person at a DMV office. The fee for a Real ID is $8.25 for a driver's license, $7.25 for an ID card, or $12.25 for a commercial license.

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When do I need a Real ID to fly?

As of May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID to fly on domestic commercial flights in the US. This is because, on this date, the federal government's REAL ID Act will come fully into effect. This means that you will need to show a Real ID-compliant driver's license, a current US passport, or another accepted form of identification to get through airport security or enter secure federal buildings.

A Real ID-compliant Nevada driver's license will have a gold star in the upper-right corner. If your license does not have this, you will need to upgrade it. To do this, you will need to present proof of identity, residency, and your Social Security number in person at a DMV office.

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How do I get a Real ID?

To get a Real ID in Nevada, you must visit a DMV office in person and present proof of identity, name change(s), your Social Security number, and two residency documents. These are generally the same documents used to obtain a Nevada license or ID for the first time. You must show them again, plus two documents that show your Nevada residential address.

Proof of Identity (one document required)

  • Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
  • U.S. state-issued birth certificate (original or certified copy)
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
  • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)
  • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560)
  • Permanent Resident Card (I-551) – if the card is expired, you must also bring a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension
  • Valid, unexpired foreign passport with an I-94 stamped “Processed for I-551”
  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with an unexpired U.S. Visa and an I-94 form – if the I-94 is expired, you must also bring a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension

Proof of Name Change(s) (one document required per name change)

Marriage certificate(s)

Proof of Social Security (one document required)

Social Security Card

Proof of Nevada Residency (two different documents required)

  • Receipt for the rent or lease of a residence
  • Lease of a residence on which the applicant appears as the lessee
  • Record from a public utility for a service address
  • Bank or credit card statement
  • Employment check stub
  • Document from a state or federal court
  • Record, receipt or bill requesting payment
  • Record from an educational institution in Nevada which establishes enrollment or an ID card issued by the educational institution that lists the address
  • Record from a hotel, motel, recreational vehicle park or campground located in Nevada indicating no fewer than 30 days of consecutive residency in this state
  • Voter registration card issued by a county clerk or county registrar of voters pursuant to NRS 293.517
  • Documentation of receipt of benefits from any State of Nevada program of public assistance
  • Leave and Earnings Statement or equivalent or successor form which indicates Nevada residency of an applicant who is a member of the military deployed outside Nevada on active duty
  • Notarized statement from the owner of a residence indicating that the applicant physically resides at the residence

All documents must be originals.

The fee for a Real ID is $8.25 for a driver's license, $7.25 for an ID card, or $12.25 for a commercial license. There is no additional charge for a Real ID if you are completing another license/ID transaction, such as a renewal or adding an endorsement.

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What documents do I need to get a Real ID?

As of May 7, 2025, a Real ID will be required if you wish to use your driver's license or state ID card to board commercial aircraft on domestic flights. You can check if your Nevada driver's license is a Real ID by looking for a gold star in the upper right corner. If you need to upgrade to a Real ID, you must visit a DMV office in person and present the following documents:

Proof of Identity (one document required)

  • Valid, unexpired U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card
  • U.S. state-issued birth certificate (original or certified copy)
  • Consular Report of Birth Abroad (FS-240)
  • Certificate of Naturalization (N-550)
  • Certificate of Citizenship (N-560)
  • Permanent Resident Card (I-551) – if the card is expired, you must also bring a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension
  • Valid, unexpired foreign passport with an I-94 stamped “Processed for I-551”
  • Unexpired Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
  • Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport with an unexpired U.S. Visa and an I-94 form – if the I-94 is expired, you must also bring a Notice of Action (I-797) showing an approved extension

Proof of Name Change (one document required per name change)

Marriage certificate(s)

Proof of Social Security (one document required)

Social Security Card

Proof of Nevada Residency (two different documents required)

  • Receipt for the rent or lease of a residence
  • Lease of a residence on which the applicant appears as the lessee
  • Record from a public utility for a service address
  • Bank or credit card statement
  • Employment check stub
  • Document from a state or federal court
  • Record, receipt or bill requesting payment
  • Record from an educational institution in Nevada which establishes enrollment or an ID card issued by the educational institution that lists the address
  • Record from a hotel, motel, recreational vehicle park or campground located in Nevada indicating no fewer than 30 days of consecutive residency in this state
  • Voter registration card issued by a county clerk or county registrar of voters pursuant to NRS 293.517
  • Documentation of receipt of benefits from any State of Nevada program of public assistance
  • Leave and Earnings Statement or equivalent or successor form which indicates Nevada residency of an applicant who is a member of the military deployed outside Nevada on active duty
  • Notarized statement from the owner of a residence indicating that the applicant physically resides at the residence

Please note that all documents must be originals.

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How much does a Real ID cost?

From May 7, 2025, all Americans will be required to show a Real ID-compliant driver's license, a current US passport, or another accepted form of identification to get through airport security or enter secure federal buildings. A Real ID license is the same size and cost as a regular driver's license, and it's easy to book an appointment to get one.

The fee for a Real ID in Nevada is $8.25 for a driver's license, $7.25 for an ID card, or $12.25 for a commercial license. These are the same fees as for a regular license. There is no additional charge for a Real ID if you are completing another license/ID transaction, such as a renewal or adding an endorsement. However, if you are completing a vehicle registration or another transaction, and the Real ID is the only change to your license or ID card, the change of information fee will apply.

If you are a person aged 25 or older and have declared yourself homeless, the DMV can waive the fees for obtaining a duplicate ID card. This is a one-time exemption. Persons under 25 who have declared themselves homeless are entitled to exemptions for all fees to obtain an original, renewal, or duplicate Nevada driver's license, ID card, or driver authorization card.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you will need a Real ID to travel by plane in Nevada from May 7, 2025.

A Real ID will have a gold star in the upper right corner of the card.

To get a Real ID, you must present proof of identity, residency, and social security in person at a DMV office.

The fee for a Real ID is $8.25 for a driver's license, $7.25 for an ID card, or $12.25 for a commercial license.

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