Quick answer: Starting May 7, 2025, every US adult age 18+ needs a REAL ID-compliant license, a US passport, or another accepted ID to board a domestic flight, including flights to and from Puerto Rico. A standard driver’s license without the star marking will no longer get you through TSA on its own. If you just want the short version, read whether you need a passport for Puerto Rico at all.
Do I need a REAL ID to fly to Puerto Rico?
Yes. Puerto Rico is a US territory, so flights between the mainland and San Juan are domestic flights, and they go through standard TSA security. As of May 7, 2025, TSA requires every traveler 18 or older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a US passport, a US passport card, an enhanced driver’s license, a military ID, or another accepted form of federal identification at the checkpoint. Your old non-REAL ID license will be turned away, and you may be required to undergo extra screening or be denied boarding.
Can I travel to Puerto Rico with just my driver’s license?
Yes, as long as it is the right kind of license. Since May 7, 2025, the license you hand the TSA officer has to be REAL ID compliant — in most states that means a star marking in the upper corner of the card. If your license has the star, it is all you need for a flight between the mainland and San Juan. You do not have to carry a passport on top of it.
If your license has no star, it is not that you cannot fly. It is that the license by itself will not get you through the checkpoint, and you will need one of the other accepted IDs instead. The next two sections cover how to check your card and what to do if it is not compliant.
How do I know if my license is a REAL ID?
Look at the top right corner of your driver’s license. A REAL ID has a gold or black star, usually inside a circle or cutout shape. Some states use a bear (California), a flag (Texas), or a different state symbol with a star. If you do not see a star, your card is not REAL ID-compliant and will not be accepted at TSA on its own.
What if I don’t have a REAL ID before my Puerto Rico trip?
You have a few options. The fastest is to bring your US passport book or US passport card to the airport instead. Both are accepted by TSA for domestic flights and are valid for Puerto Rico travel. A passport card costs about $30 less than a passport book and fits in your wallet, making it a budget-friendly REAL ID alternative. You can also use a military ID, a Global Entry or NEXUS card, or an enhanced driver’s license issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, or Washington.
The $45 option if you show up without acceptable ID
Since February 1, 2026, a traveler who cannot produce an acceptable ID at the checkpoint has the option of paying a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID. TSA then attempts to verify your identity so you can start screening. Treat it as a fallback rather than a plan — if your identity cannot be verified you still are not getting through — and TSA says to pay it before you head to the airport, not at the checkpoint.
An expired ID may still work
Before you panic about a lapsed license or passport: TSA currently accepts expired versions of the IDs on its list for up to two years past the expiration date. A license that ran out last year can still get you to San Juan, as long as it was REAL ID compliant to begin with.
How long does a REAL ID take to get?
Processing time varies by state DMV, but most travelers receive their REAL ID-compliant license in the mail within 2 to 6 weeks of their DMV appointment. If your Puerto Rico trip is sooner than that, get a passport card instead. Routine passport card processing currently takes 4 to 6 weeks, and expedited service is 2 to 3 weeks for an extra fee. If you only have days, an in-person passport appointment at a regional passport agency can produce a passport card or book within 1-2 weeks for urgent travel.
Do kids need a REAL ID to fly to Puerto Rico?
No. TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID when traveling with a companion within the United States, and that includes Puerto Rico. Only adults 18 and over need a REAL ID or accepted alternative.
REAL ID vs Passport for Puerto Rico: Which should I get?
For Puerto Rico-only travel, a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license is the cheapest path because you renew it during your normal license cycle. If you ever plan to take a cruise that touches a non-US port, fly to another country, or hop over to the US Virgin Islands and back via certain routes, a passport book or passport card gives you more flexibility. Many Puerto Rico travelers carry both a REAL ID and a passport card so they’re covered for any trip.
Quick checklist before you fly
- Confirm your driver’s license has a star in the top corner
- If no star, pack your US passport book or passport card instead
- Check that your name on your ticket matches your ID exactly
- Children under 18 do not need ID when flying with an adult
- Arrive at the airport early in case you need extra TSA screening