WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented The REAL ID Act across the country on May 7, 2025. Individuals 18 years or older wanting to board domestic flights or access some federal facilities will find that their standard state drivers license and IDs are no longer acceptable to allow entry.
TSA now requires a REAL ID compliant identification, though this won’t be an issue for enrolled citizens of federally recognized Native Nations. Tribal Citizenship Cards, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETC), are on the list of acceptable IDs that will still allow for air travel.
The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Citizenship Office offers two different types of citizenship cards, neither of them REAL ID compliant, but both acceptable forms of identification according to TSA.
The MCN Citizenship Card is a tribal ID issued to enrolled citizens of the MCN. It is free for citizens in most cases. The ETC requires an in person interview and has a fee of $45.
When reached for comment, MCN Citizenship System Administrator Jason Walls explained, “The MCN does not issue any Real ID compliant identification. The Real ID Act set the minimum-security requirements for state-issued identification.”
The ETC is an acceptable ID under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
“ETC is an acceptable alternative to RealID documents. Because ETCs are WHTI compliant, they can be used for domestic flights, entering federal buildings and is the equivalent of a US Passport Card allowing travel to Canada and Mexico, or adjacent islands like Bermuda and Caribbean islands (excluding Cuba),” according to Walls.
Though Tribal Citizenship Cards are currently accepted, the TSA does warn that the list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. A Jan. 14 TSA rule, gives federal agency guidelines for a ”phased approach” for REAL ID enforcement, with a May 5, 2027 date for full enforcement.
A 20-year wait
The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission recommendation for minimum security standards for state issued driver’s license and IDs. According to the commission, the 19terrorists obtained 30 driver’s licenses and IDs that were used to rent cars and board flights, allowing them to commit the attack.
The REAL ID requirement was originally scheduled to roll out nationally on May 11, 2008, but issues with state compliance pushed back the start date. The Covid-19 pandemic further delayed the start.
Oklahoma didn’t begin issuing REAL ID licenses and IDs until June 29, 2020, 15 years after passage of the Act. This was due in part to then Governor Brad Henry signing into law SB 464 in 2007, which blocked implementation in Oklahoma, citing an $8 million dollar cost and concerns about constitutionality. That law was repealed in 2017. When REAL ID was finally implemented in the state it was at a cost of roughly $20 million, according to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
It’s been 20 years since the Act became law. As of March 31 the Oklahoma REAL ID statewide compliance rate was 42.5%.
For information about obtaining an MCN Citizenship Card or ETC, contact the Citizenship Office at their email: Citizenship@MCN-Citizenship.com.
The Citizenship Office has locations in Okmulgee (918) 732-7941 and in Jenks (918) 701-2611 to serve Mvskoke citizens.
