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Will I Need a Passport to Fly?

Will I need a Passport to fly in 2016?

 
**Updated 01/08/2016: Department of Homeland Security has released a statement “Effective January 22, 2018, air travelers with a driver’s license or identification card issued by a state that does not meet the requirements of the REAL ID Act (unless that state has been granted an extension to comply with the Act) must present an alternative form of identification acceptable to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in order to board a commercial domestic flight.”
This is the newly released timeline of when and how they will start implementing this: 

• Effective immediately, the Department of Homeland Security will conduct outreach to educate the traveling public about the timeline below, and continue engagements with states to encourage compliance with REAL ID standards.
• Starting July 15, 2016, TSA, in coordination with airlines and airport stakeholders, will begin to issue web-based advisories and notifications to the traveling public. 
• Starting December 15, 2016, TSA will expand outreach at its airport checkpoints through signage, handouts, and other methods.
• Starting January 22, 2018, passengers with a driver’s license issued by a state that is still not compliant with the REAL ID Act (and has not been granted an extension) will need to show an alternative form of acceptable identification for domestic air travel to board their flight.  To check whether your state is compliant or has an extension, click here.  Passengers with driver’s licenses issued by a state that is compliant with REAL ID (or a state that has been issued an extension) will still be able to use their driver’s licenses or identification cards.
• Starting October 1, 2020, every air traveler will need a REAL ID-compliant license, or another acceptable form of identification, for domestic air travel.

Important:  Right now, no individual needs to adjust travel plans, or rush out to get a new driver’s license or a passport for domestic air travel.  Until January 22, 2018, residents of all states will still be able to use a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for domestic air travel. Passengers can also continue to use any of the various other forms of identification accepted by TSA (such as a Passport or Passport Card, Global Entry card, U.S. military ID, airline or airport-issued ID, federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID). 
 
With 2015 coming to an end and 2016 only a few days away, we have had many people concerned with so many states not being compliant with the REAL ID act. The REAL ID Act, originally passed in 2005, was meant to tighten standards for government-issued IDs like driver’s licenses, it banned federal agencies from accepting any IDs that don’t meet the bar. You have probably seen all the news articles about how so many states will need a passport to fly domestically, DHS is in the process of scheduling plans for REAL ID enforcement at airports and will ensure that the traveling public has ample notice, at least 120 days, before any changes are made that might affect their travel.
So we wanted to give you an updated list of restrictions for each state. This list comes straight from the Department of Homeland Security.  So far, more than 20 states are in the clear because their IDs pass the test. At least 20 other states with extensions have until June or October to get in line or apply for another extension.