REAL ID deadline approaching: Travelers weigh in

Twelve days from Thursday, anyone trying to catch a flight from Tulsa International Airport will need a REAL ID.

The deadline had been postponed for years.

News On 6's Sam Carrico spoke to travelers ahead of the deadline.

What to know

Starting May 7, 2025, people in the U.S. will need a REAL ID for domestic flights and to enter some federal buildings. It's part of a national effort that started after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

If you have a driver's license, you can check if it's a REAL ID by looking for a yellow star.

Travelers can still use a valid US passport, an active military ID, or an ID from a federally recognized tribe as an alternative.

If you haven't gotten yours yet and are not in a rush, you can still apply at a tag agency after the deadline.

There are some things you'll need to bring to a travel agent when you go to get a REAL ID, including proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or a passport.

Related: REAL ID: What Oklahomans need to know before the deadline in May

What travelers are saying

Some travelers said they got their REAL ID years ago. Others were surprised that the deadline was sneaking up.

Jeff Tyler says he might be stranded in Tulsa.

"Well, I just flew in from their LA, and they said I can't go home unless I have my REAL ID," said Tyler.

He's in town visiting family and didn't even know what a REAL ID was until he was told he'd need one to get home in two weeks.

"They gave me this piece of paper [saying to] download this thing for me to go home," he said.

Aaron Madison has had his REAL ID for a while.

"So I as soon as they expired, I went ahead and got it. I just went to my local tag agency, and lucky enough, I went early enough to where I just say, 'Hey, can I get it today?' And they said, 'Yeah, absolutely,'" said Madison.

He says the process was easy for him, but says anyone still waiting should get on it quickly.

"Do what you can, try and get in as early as you can. It's gonna be. I mean, everybody, different states, are doing it as well. It's just gonna be a process," he said.

As for Jeff from California, he's going to be grounded for a bit.

"Stick around here, wait till I receive it to get back home. If not, I'll be taking the bus," he said.