If you are flying out of Indianapolis soon and don’t have a REAL ID or current passport, don’t fret. The Indianapolis International Airport is well prepared to handle travelers who arrive without the now-required documents.
As of May 7, 2025, 20 years after Congress passed the REAL ID Act, passengers need a REAL ID to fly domestically.
Still, operations were running smoothly at the airport Wednesday morning, the first day the new law went into effect. By 9 a.m., a TSA employee said a couple dozen people had gone through security without a REAL ID.Screening proceeded seamlessly for all other passengers.
Passengers without a REAL ID or passport entered the security line as normal and were then pulled aside before the checkpoint to go through the same additional screening that TSA uses regularly on a randomized basis. These travelers were then allowed to pass through to their gate if they passed.
If not, they underwent a “more rigorous screening,” the TSA employee said.
Indianapolis TSA employees practiced extra security measures for a few days before May 7, one said.Every passenger IndyStar spoke to Wednesday had a REAL ID as a form of identification. Indiana has been distributing REAL IDs since 2010, making it one of the first states to comply with the act. Several Hoosier passengers on Wednesday remarked that they had a REAL ID long before the deadline.
Not every state was proactive. Bureau of Motor Vehicles branches across the country have seen long lines and massive crowds as people scrambled to provide the necessary documentation to obtain a REAL ID for their flight.
Those without a REAL ID are still encouraged to obtain one as soon as possible, even though domestic travel for now is operating as normal. The enhanced license or about a dozen alternative forms of identification are also needed to access certain federal facilities.
For the time being, though, passengers are able to fly either with a passport or by going through additional screening.
Even those with REAL ID had concerns about the first day of implementation, but the Indianapolis airport is known by local travelers for being prepared to get passengers through quickly.
“I for sure was afraid of long lines, but it doesn’t look bad,” said Zack Moore, 42, of Indianapolis, standing outside security before boarding a plane bound for San Diego. “But this airport is just so great.”
Kevin Shea flew into Indianapolis from Detroit Wednesday for a conference and said his travels had gone smoothly, despite national media coverage that suggested REAL ID could cause headaches for domestic passengers.
“They were super on the game and super friendly, no issues, no long lines,” Shea said of the Detroit airport. “There was something in the air.”
Shea got his REAL ID in 2022. He remarked how it felt strange the so-called deadline to fly without REAL ID had finally arrived.
“It seems kind of strange because they’ve been saying it for a long time, but they are still going to let you on a plane” without it, Shea said.
What is Real ID?
Real ID is a driver’s license or state ID card marked with a star or other symbol depending on the state. If you already have a valid Indiana ID, check the upper-right corner for a star. Indiana has been issuing Real ID-compliant documentation to Hoosiers since 2010, so odds are if you have a valid license, it carries that star.
Congress passed the Real ID act in 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.”
What are the alternatives to a Real ID?
TSA-approved alternatives include:
How do I get Real ID?
You do not need to take a test to obtain a Real ID driver’s license or card. You will need to visit an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch in person with the following documents:
1. Proof of identity and lawful status
Most documents proving identity also prove lawful status. You will need one of the following:
2. Proof of Social Security
Your full nine-digit Social Security number must be displayed on one of the following:
3. Proof of Indiana residency
You must bring printed copies of two documents proving your Indiana residency to receive an Indiana Real ID. Common documents include the following:
Alysa Guffey covers business and development for IndyStar. Contact her at amguffey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Flying out of Indianapolis without REAL ID? Don’t fret — the airport isn’t turning people away
Reporting by Alysa Guffey, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
