Real Id: Unlocking Puerto Rico Travel

As Puerto Rico is a US territory, US citizens do not need a passport to travel there. However, from May 7, 2025, US travelers must be REAL ID-compliant to board domestic flights. This means that, to travel to Puerto Rico, US citizens will need a REAL ID, a passport, or another acceptable form of identification.

US citizens don't need a passport to enter Puerto Rico

US citizens do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and US citizens are free to travel there without a passport. Any form of government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or state ID card, is sufficient for US citizens to travel to Puerto Rico. This is because Puerto Rico is considered part of the United States for the purposes of immigration and travel. The Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, which granted Puerto Ricans US citizenship, made this arrangement possible.

However, it is important to note that the Real ID Act will come into effect as of May 7, 2025. This means that US travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. If your driver's license or ID has a star (and/or flag) or says "Enhanced", then you are REAL ID compliant. Alternatively, a passport can be used in place of a REAL ID. If your state is not compliant with REAL ID laws, you may need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico. Therefore, it is important to verify the REAL ID status of your state before planning your trip.

It is also worth noting that, while US citizens do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico, they will need one if they plan to leave the island and travel to a different country or territory. For example, a valid passport is required if you plan to travel to the neighboring Dominican Republic or the British Virgin Islands. The passport and visa requirements for visitors from outside the USA are the same as those for entering any other part of the United States.

In addition to Puerto Rico, US citizens can travel to several other US territories without a passport, including the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas). Americans can also visit some Caribbean islands without a passport if they are on a "closed-loop" cruise that departs from and returns to the same US port. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative allows Americans to visit Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Mexico without a passport, particularly on closed-loop sailings.

A state-issued photo ID is required for US citizens

As a US citizen, you do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a US territory, so it is considered part of the United States for immigration and travel purposes. Any form of government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or state ID card, is sufficient for a trip to Puerto Rico. However, if your itinerary includes travel to nearby non-US territories, such as the Dominican Republic or the British Virgin Islands, you will need a valid passport.

The Real ID Act will come into effect on May 7, 2025. This means that US travelers must have a Real ID-compliant form of identification to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. If your driver's license has a star or a flag, or says "Enhanced", then it is Real ID-compliant. A passport can also be used in place of a Real ID. If your state is not compliant with the Real ID Act, you may need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico. You can check your state's compliance with the Real ID Act through your local DMV.

It is important to note that the Real ID requirement only applies to domestic flights within the United States and certain federal facilities. If you are only travelling to Puerto Rico and not taking any domestic flights or visiting federal facilities, you will not need a Real ID.

In addition to Puerto Rico, US citizens can also travel to other US territories without a passport. These include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas). If you are on a "closed-loop" cruise that departs from and returns to the same US port, you may also be able to visit some Caribbean islands, such as Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Mexico, without a passport.

From May 7, 2025, US travellers must be REAL ID-compliant to board domestic flights

From May 7, 2025, US travellers, including those going to Puerto Rico, must have a REAL ID-compliant license to board domestic flights. This means that, if you are a US citizen, you will need a REAL ID to travel to Puerto Rico from this date. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and US citizens and permanent residents do not need a passport to travel there.

The REAL ID Act will be in effect from May 2025, and you should check if your state is compliant with these laws. If not, you may need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.

To be REAL ID-compliant, your driver's license or ID card must have a star, a flag, or the word "Enhanced" on it. If it does not, you will need to obtain a new ID or an alternative form of identification, such as a passport, to fly domestically. This is because, from May 7, 2025, you will need a REAL ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.

You can use the interactive tool on the Homeland Security website to find out if you are REAL ID-ready. If you are unsure if your ID complies with REAL ID, you should check with your state department of motor vehicles.

REAL ID is also required to access certain federal facilities

As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID to access certain federal facilities. This is in accordance with the REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, which established minimum security standards for license issuance and production. The Act prohibits federal agencies from accepting driver's licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these minimum standards. These standards are pursuant to recommendations by the 9/11 Commission.

The REAL ID Act does not require individuals to present identification to enter federal facilities where it is not currently required, such as the public areas of the Smithsonian. It also does not prohibit an agency from accepting other forms of identification, such as a U.S. passport or passport card, in lieu of a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID.

To be REAL ID-compliant, a driver's license or ID must include a REAL ID-compliant star marking on the upper top portion of the card. Alternatively, a driver's license or ID may be designated as an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL). These are issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont and are considered acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards.

If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident travelling to Puerto Rico, you do not need a passport. However, the Real ID Act will be in effect as of May 2025, so verify if your state is compliant with these laws as you may need a passport to travel if it is not.

A passport can be used in place of a REAL ID

As of May 7, 2025, all U.S. travelers must have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. This includes boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft and entering nuclear power plants.

The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, established minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards. It also prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards. The Act does not require individuals to present identification when it is not currently required, such as to enter the public areas of the Smithsonian.

It is important to note that a REAL ID card cannot be used for border crossings into Canada or Mexico or for international travel. For international travel, including international sea cruise travel, a passport is required.

To obtain a REAL ID, individuals must visit their state's driver's licensing agency and provide documentation showing their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number, two proofs of address of principal residence, and lawful status.

In summary, while a REAL ID is necessary for certain activities, such as boarding domestic flights, a passport can be used as an alternative form of identification in place of a REAL ID.

Frequently asked questions