California residents have less than a year to get their Real ID cards. United States travelers must have the new ID card by May 3, 2023 if they’re planning on using a state-issued ID to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities.
Real ID is a federally accepted form of identification, and in California it’s marked with a gold bear and a star. Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security extended the Real ID enforcement deadline from October 2021 to next year—but officials say it’s best to obtain the ID card sooner rather than later.
