[El Paso County, Colo. – March 10, 2025] The REAL ID Act will go into full effect May 7, 2025, requiring travelers to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to board domestic flights, enter federal facilities, and access certain secure federal sites.
Colorado and the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office is fully compliant with the REAL ID Act, and our office has been issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards since 2012. Residents who already have a REAL ID-compliant credential – which features a star in the upper right-hand corner – are set for travel and federal access (example below).
For those who do not have a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages residents to upgrade before the deadline.
Key Facts About REAL ID:
- Effective Date: May 7, 2025
- Required For:
- Boarding domestic flights
- Entering federal buildings
- Accessing certain secure federal sites
- How to Identify a REAL ID: A star in the upper right-hand corner of the license or ID card
- How to Obtain a REAL ID in Colorado:
- Visit a Colorado or County DMV office
- IMPORTANT: Only State DMV offices can issue a first-time driver’s license. El Paso County DMV branches can only replace existing state driver’s licenses.
- Provide proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate or passport)
- Provide proof of Social Security number (e.g., utility bill, or W-2)
- Provide two proofs of Colorado residency (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement)
- Visit a Colorado or County DMV office
Alternative Forms of ID for Air Travel & Federal Access:
For those who do not obtain a REAL ID, other TSA-accepted documents, such as a valid U.S. passport or military ID, will be required for domestic air travel and federal facility access.
Stay Prepared & Check Your ID:
The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office encourages residents to check their IDs now to avoid last-minute issues before the May 7, 2025, deadline. For more details on how to obtain a REAL ID in Colorado, visit dmv.colorado.gov/real-id-and-colorado, or contact the Clerk and Recorder’s Office at 719-520-6240, or email motorvehicledept@elpasoco.com.