COLUMBUS, Ohio — Starting May 7, 2025, air travelers must present a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or approved alternative to pass through TSA checkpoints, the Department of Homeland Security announced. Without one, Ohio residents risk flight delays or being denied boarding.
Identifying Ohio’s Real ID
A Real ID-compliant Ohio driver’s license features a star in the upper right corner, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Licenses lacking the star are not compliant and will not be accepted for boarding commercial flights or entering federal buildings, per DHS guidelines. Enhanced Driver’s Licenses and Enhanced Identification cards, marked with a U.S. flag and the word “Enhanced” at the top, are also valid.
How to Obtain a Real ID in Ohio
Ohio residents can update their licenses at Bureau of Motor Vehicles locations, as previously reported by The Columbus Dispatch. To obtain a Real ID, applicants must provide documentation verifying:
• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Legal presence in the U.S.
• Social Security number
• Ohio street address (two documents from different sources)
• Name change (if applicable)
Additional details are available on the Ohio BMV website.