Michigan licenses need to be REAL ID compliant in 2025

Michigan Real ID Drivers License

Michigan licenses must be REAL ID compliant by 2025. The Department of Homeland Security has extended the deadline for REAL ID compliance to May 7, 2025, due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the slow rollout. According to federal law, all Michigan residents will need the new license to fly within the United States and to enter certain federal facilities. You can identify a compliant license by looking for a star in a gold circle in the upper right-hand corner.  

How to apply for a New ID

To apply for a compliant driver’s license or state identification card, bring your valid U.S. passport or certified birth certificate with a raised seal or stamp to any Secretary of State office. You can also use another document from to verify your identity. the Michigan Secretary proof of legal presence to verify your identity. 

How Much Does a Michigan REAL ID cost?

You can schedule an appointment to convert to Real ID Michigan Secretary of State Office Visit. When renewing or replacing your license, there’s no added charge for converting  if you do so. Otherwise, there is a correction fee ($9 for a license; $10 for an ID) to convert to a REAL ID.

Suppose your license renews after May 7, 2025, and you choose not to get a REAL ID. It will still be valid for activities such as cashing checks, purchasing alcohol, or entering casinos. Nevertheless, airports and federal buildings will not accept standard licenses. Air travel and access to federal buildings will require compliant documentation.  

What Happens if you do not get a REAL ID

Failure to obtain a compliant driver’s license or state ID card will require you to show another form of accepted documents, such as a valid U.S. passport or passport card for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities or military bases after May 7, 2025.

What identification do you need for Minors In Michigan?

Finally, children under age 18 will not need to provide identification when traveling with an adult within the United States. The adult will need to provide acceptable identification. For more information about children id’s, you can visit the Michigan State ID for Children webpage.