COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) — With the federal REAL ID deadline fast approaching on May 7, 2025, Branch County residents are being reminded to upgrade their driver’s licenses or state IDs to comply with new domestic travel regulations. Starting next month, a REAL ID-compliant document, marked by a gold star or Michigan silhouette star in the upper right corner, will be required to board domestic flights or enter certain federal facilities, including military bases and nuclear power plants.
The Michigan Secretary of State’s office in Coldwater has seen a surge in appointments as the deadline nears, with 73% of Michigan license and ID holders already compliant statewide, according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. They are urging Branch County residents to check their IDs now, and if there’s no star, schedule an appointment to avoid travel disruptions.
To obtain a REAL ID, residents must visit a Secretary of State office with their current license or ID, a valid U.S. passport or certified birth certificate, and, if applicable, a certified name-change document like a marriage license. The process is free during renewal, but a $9 fee applies for licenses and $10 for IDs outside the renewal period. Enhanced licenses, which also serve as REAL ID, are automatically compliant.
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