Valid tribal IDs considered Real ID-compliant and may be used post-deadline at airport security

The clock is ticking for travelers with plans to board an aircraft or enter restricted federal buildings and military bases after May 7 when Real ID-compliant forms of identification will be required.

The Arizona Travel ID complies with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 and is available as both a driver license and identification card, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

State-issued IDs and tribal IDs will continue to be accepted to board a plane until May 7. The deadline to get a Real ID has been pushed back a few times over the years; it was extended to May 7 for reasons related to COVID-19 and backlogged licensing agencies. 

There are many instances in which citizens of federally recognized tribes are legally able to use tribal ID in place of state-issued ID, such as air travel and voting. The experience using a tribal ID differs person to person. For instance, in states with few or no Native communities, agents with the Transportation Security Administration may not recognize tribal IDs or know they are valid forms of ID when presented at the security line. Conversely, at airports in cities with large populations of Natives, such as Phoenix, TSA agents may be more familiar with tribal ID.

Will Native American travelers need to upgrade their tribal ID to Real ID? Do tribal IDs comply with the REAL ID Act off 2005?

O’odham Action News reached out to ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division and the TSA for clarification about Real ID and the impact those will have on tribal ID.

Bill Lamoreaux, ADOT MVD spokesperson and assistant communications director for customer outreach, said his office encourages all Arizonans to get the Arizona Travel ID ahead of the federal deadline of May 7, “as a convenient way to meet the new federal requirements and limit or reduce any delays in getting past TSA checkpoints.”

The Arizona Travel ID is not the only form of federally compliant ID accepted by TSA, Lamoreaux said. He directed travelers to the TSA webpage that lists the agencies accepted IDs: www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification. The list includes “an acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs).”

According to the TSA, these credentials issued by federally recognized tribes—as listed in the Federal Register—are considered an acceptable form of ID and are on the same list as U.S. Passports and U.S. Passport Cards.

Tribal citizen or not, the TSA recommends Arizonans double-check with ADOT MVD if they are unsure if their ID is Real ID-compliant before the May 7 deadline.

How to obtain an Arizona Travel ID

At Home

Step 1: Complete a Travel ID application at https://azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/driver-services/arizona-travel-id.

Step 2: Plan an office visit by scheduling an appointment at an MVD office or go anytime to an authorized third-party driver license office. Most are open on Saturdays.

Step 3: Gather original identification documents and bring them to the licensing office.

At MVD or Third-Party Office

Step 1: Check in and have photo taken.

Step 2: An MVD service representative will review the application and identification documents (one establishing birth or legal presence and two documents to establish Arizona residency). Visit the ADOT website for a list of acceptable documents.

Step 3: Pay the application and renewal fee for Travel ID ($25). Allow up to two weeks for mail delivery. In most cases, the Arizona Travel ID is valid for eight years (exceptions apply for seniors and non-U.S. citizens with authorized legal presence).