arizona travel star id

Arizona Travel ID will be mandatory starting May 2023

PHOENIX — The Arizona Travel ID will be mandatory for travelers starting exactly one year from today.

Beginning on May 3, 2023, you will need a federally compliant ID in order to get through TSA checkpoints at airports for domestic flights, the Arizona Department of Transportation says.

The pandemic caused delays in the process and ultimately pushed back the date.

“Without the Arizona Travel ID or other form of federally-compliant identification such as a valid U.S. Passport, fliers risk missing an airline flight because the standard driver license will not be accepted at TSA checkpoints,” ADOT says.

Identification cards that are federally approved have a gold star in the corner.

You can walk in to get a Travel ID, but ADOT suggests making an appointment first .

You’ll need to bring proof of identity (birth certificate or US passport), social security number, and two documents proving your residency (rental or bank statements, credit card or phone bills) at your current address.

The ID costs $25.

For more information, click here.

RELATED: Arizonans can start adding IDs to virtual Apple Wallet

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Real ID deadline: Here's when Arizonans will need one to fly and how to get yours

Although the deadline for getting a Real ID has been extended, don’t wait too long if you plan to get one.

The federal Real ID Act will take effect for Arizonans on May 7, 2025. When that happens, people must have identification compliant with the act to pass through airport security or enter federal buildings.

As of that date, a standard driver's license or identification card won’t get you through a TSA checkpoint. You will need the enhanced driver's license known as the Arizona Travel ID.

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Arizona has issued more than 2.1 million Arizona Travel IDs since their introduction, including 262,083 in 2023, ADOT spokesman William Lamoreaux said.

Here’s how to get a Real ID in Arizona, including all the documentation you need.

Do I need a Real ID to fly in 2024?

No. A valid, state-issued drivers license or identification card is enough to board a domestic flight, for now.

When do you need a Real ID to fly?

Real ID will be required to fly on domestic flights starting May 7, 2025.

The Department of Homeland Security intended to begin enforcing the Real ID Act in May 2023, but it pushed back the deadline by two years.

Officials cited lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on states' abilities to ensure their residents have driver's licenses or identification cards that meet Real ID standards. They said progress was stalled because of licensing agencies' need to work through pandemic backlogs.

New at Sky Harbor Airport for 2024: Flights, restaurants, lounges and more

What do I need to get Real ID in Arizona?

To get an Arizona Travel ID, ADOT requires one primary document for proof of birth, two documents for proof of address and a Social Security number.

Acceptable documents for proof of birth include:

• Certified birth certificate.
• U.S. certificate of birth abroad.
• U.S. passport or passport card.
• Permanent resident card or resident alien card.
• Unexpired USCIS employment authorization document.
• I-94 form with an unexpired foreign passport and unexpired U.S. visa.
• U.S. certificate of naturalization.
• U.S. certificate of citizenship.

Acceptable documents for proof of address must be issued from a business, organization or government agency and include your name and residential address. Documents must be in print. These include:

• Utility bills.
• Credit card or bank statements.
• Insurance policies.

What is an enhanced driver's license?

ADOT issues the enhanced Travel ID and standard driver licenses. The difference between the two is the amount of documentation you have to provide to obtain one.

How do I know if I have a Real ID?

The Arizona Travel ID contains a gold or black star on the upper right-hand corner. A standard drivers license has no star.

When Real ID takes effect, standard licenses with no star will no longer be acceptable identification for domestic flights. People without the upgraded license will need to present another form of Real ID-compliant identification.

What if I don’t have a Real ID?

If you don’t switch from a standard driver’s license to the Arizona Travel ID, you will not be able to pass through airport TSA checkpoints without some other acceptable form of identification. These documents fit the Real ID guidelines, according to the Transportation Security Administration:

• U.S. passport.
• U.S. passport card.
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST).
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
• Permanent resident card.
• Border crossing card.
• State-issued enhanced drivers license.
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized tribal nation/Indian tribe.
• HSPD-12 PIV card.
• Foreign government-issued passport.
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card.
• Transportation worker identification credential.
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
• U.S. Merchant Mariner credential.
• Veteran Health Identification Card.

Do children need a Real ID?

Children under 18 don't need Real ID to fly within the U.S., as long as they're accompanied by an adult who does have Real ID, Lamoreaux said.

How much does an Arizona ID cost?

A Real ID-compliant Arizona Travel ID costs $25.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Real ID deadline: Here's when Arizonans will need one to fly and how to get yours

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Need A Gold Star On Your Arizona Driver’s License To Fly? (REAL ID AZ)

You don’t need a gold star on your Arizona driver’s license or Travel ID to fly today, but you will. Residents of the state of Arizona must obtain their state IDs and driver’s licenses with a star in a gold circle by May 7, 2025. After that, federal agencies will no longer accept identification cards and driver licenses issued at the state level without stars on them for passengers older than 18 years old. This is an extension from the original October 2021 date due to the COVID pandemic. 

Department of Homeland Security’s Alejandro Mayorkas recently stated , “Extending the Real ID full enforcement deadline will give states needed time to reopen their driver’s licensing operations and ensure their residents can obtain a Real ID-compliant license or identification card.” 

Real IDs in Arizona are called Travel IDs.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has stated that those without a star on their cards can continue to use their cards after May 7, 2025, but they will only be accepted for state-related purposes like driving, accessing hospitals, visiting the post office, applying for or receiving social security or veterans’ benefits, or banking transactions. For federal purposes, this identification will not be able to be used.

Not everyone in Arizona has a passport, especially if they don’t travel internationally. For domestic flights, a state-issued document like a driver’s license is all you need to fly. 

However, according to a law called the REAL ID Act, air travelers in the United States will be required to use a driver’s license that complies with the Real ID requirements when traveling within the United States of America beginning May 7th, 2025.

Here is a great video on it from the Department of Homeland Security

Other documents that people will be able to use are passports or their U.S. Military cards. Most people use their license to get through security on domestic flights though.

This law means that your driver’s license MUST comply with TSA’s requirements for you to fly domestically. A complying license will have a star on it. Does yours?   

Additionally, a REAL ID or Travel ID will be required to enter federal facilities in addition to the current identification requirements.

This is one of the new minimum security standards that will be used in federal buildings as well.  As such, your domestic flight in the US will require a REAL ID which Arizona is calling a Travel ID.

Table of Contents

Do you need a star on your license to fly in Arizona?

Real ID or Travel ID will be required for all Americans after May 7, 2025. This includes Arizonans. The gold star indicates that your license has been certified as compliant with Federal REAL ID standards by the Department of Homeland Security. 

As of May 7th, 2025, at least one REAL ID compliant credential or another form of identification will be required for domestic flights on commercial airlines in Arizona.

Related: Do You Need A Gold Star On Your Ohio Driver’s License To Fly?

What does an Arizona REAL ID or TRAVEL ID look like?

Arizona REAL ID-compliant TRAVEL IDs have a gold circle in the upper-righthand corner with a white star inside of it. See below

Does your Arizona driver’s license have a star on it?

To check whether you have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license, check near the upper right-hand corner of your card. It will be a gold circle with a white star in it.

If your license isn’t from Arizona and it doesn’t have a star in the upper right corner, know that some states already have enhanced their licenses to comply with the Real ID requirements. Such enhanced licenses do not have a star, but they have the United States of America flag on them or say “Enhanced”.

Your license or Travel ID does not meet the requirements if it has any of the two phrases below: “Federal Limits Apply” “Not For Federal Identification” “Not For Federal Purposes”

How to get the gold star on your Arizona license? 

You will receive it on your new license when you renew your ID before the May 2025 deadline.

You may need to present more identification documents to get a REAL-ID compliant Arizona driver license or Travel ID to be verified. These required documents include:

• Your social security
• An unexpired U.S. passport card or book, or the original of your Birth Certificate
• Title or registration for an Arizona vehicle
• Legal documents proving your name change from your birth name if your name has changed
• Policy or statement from your current car insurance company

Just call or visit your local DMV to replace your old one with one that is certified REAL ID.

There is a comprehensive list from the Arizona BMV at the bottom of this article.

How much does it cost to get an Arizona REAL ID card?

To get an Arizona Travel ID costs $25.75. 

You will not be charged an additional fee when converting your state ID or license into a REAL or Travel ID during the normal renewal process.

This new ID will replace your existing driver’s license and is good for at least eight years. 

Related: Do You Need A Gold Star On Driver’s License Or ID To Fly?

What does a gold star on your Arizona driver’s license mean?

The gold star certifies that you have met the Real ID Act requirements. This means that the citizenship of the holder has been verified by a state department like the DMV that issued the Travel ID.  

A star will appear in the top right corner of your Real ID license, TRAVEL ID or non-driver identification card to indicate that this document can be used for federal identification.

Your Arizona driver’s license card will be REAL ID compliant if it has a gold star in the top righthand corner . Your compliant card can be used as a form of federal identification until it expires.

Arizona residents are given a gold star in the corner of their licenses upon getting their first license or renewing one they already have. This indicates compliance with new DHS  REAL ID regulations. TSA checkpoints will require identification compliant with those regulations from all passengers after May 7, 2025.

Does REAL ID replace my driver license?

It will replace your current driver license, yes. And then you will use it as a driver license going forward. It is a driver’s license. It just ensures that each person that receives it has met some minimum guideline the federal government has established for identification purposes.

 What is the star on your Arizona license for?

It indicates that your license is compliant and can be used anywhere a REAL ID is required for federal purposes. Flights, military bases, and nuclear power plants are a few of these places.

Related: Do You Need A Gold Star On Your Arizona Driver’s License To Fly?

What is the REAL ID Act?

It is a federal law that requires states to issue driver’s licenses and ID cards that meet minimum security standards and prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses and ID cards issued by states that don’t meet those standards.

It states as of May 7, 2025, REAL IDs will be required to board domestic flights or enter secure federal facilities.

Your Real ID Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card will be marked with a star in the top right corner or will have an American flag on it or the word “Enhanced” to indicate it qualifies for use as federal identification.

If your current identification card or license doesn’t qualify, so long as it hasn’t expired, it will be accepted until May 7, 2025. 

Do I need a REAL ID card?

Yes, they will be mandatory as of May 7, 2025. Until then you can use your current driver’s license or Travel ID card that you have been using. But after that date, you will need to have a replacement card or REAL ID compliant card for international travel or domestic flight or to enter a secured federal facility.

Do you need a REAL ID to travel to Arizona?

Arizona will begin to require the use of a REAL ID-compliant drivers’ license or state identification card starting on May 7, 2025.

For those traveling with commercial airlines, a REAL ID will be indicated by a gold star in the upper right-hand corner of the ID, driver’s license, or another appropriate form of identification.

The U.S. Congress introduced this law in 2005. It was one of the security measures put in place in the wake of one of the most significant attacks against the United States of America on its own land, 9/11.

It is meant to set minimum standards of security for identification documents issued. These documents include identification cards and driver’s licenses.  

From May 7, 2025, you will need a gold star on driver’s license or ID card for federal agencies such as TSA to board a federally regulated commercial aircraft. This will be the acceptable form of federal ID and ensure they are REAL ID compliant.

Do all Arizona IDs have a star?

All Arizona state IDs and driver’s licenses being issued as TRAVEL IDs have a star and are REAL ID compliant . When renewing or replacing IDs that do not have stars, a star will be printed on them.

Ask to make sure you are getting a TRAVEL ID when you renew your license. 

Is my AZ driver’s license REAL ID compliant?

Your AZ driver’s license is REAL ID compliant if it has a gold star in the upper right corner of it. See pictures above to see examples of the gold star. 

Can you fly without a REAL ID in Arizona?

You can fly without a REAL  ID right now, but you won’t be able to after May 7, 2025. Not only will you need to have one to board commercial flights, but to visit military bases, federal courthouses, nuclear sites, or other federal facilities like federal prisons.

Have more questions?

Federal resources.

If you have additional questions, the Department of Homeland Security has a great FAQ here .

Additional information can be found on the Department of Homeland Security’s site here: state compliance and state implementation

You can also contact the Transportation Security Administration : 866-289-9673

To view information from individual Arizona agencies including time saving tips, licensing locations, documentation requirements, fees, and other helpful federal and state resources please click the links below.

The Arizona Department of Transportation has some great information on getting your license updated to the new REAL ID. 

State Resources

Arizona Department of Transportation Travel ID Info

Take your documents to AZ MVD Now to make an appointment for a Travel ID.

Click here for additional information about renewing your license

For a list of the documentation required by the Arizona MVD click here 

Here is a list of places in the greater Phoenix area that you can go for your new TRAVEL ID

Related: Do You Need A Gold Star On Your New Mexico Driver’s License To Fly?

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Federal government extends Arizona Travel ID deadline to 2025

Arizonans now have two more years to get a Travel ID.

The Department of Homeland Security has again extended the deadline for domestic airline travelers to have a federally-compliant form of ID to May 7, 2025. The identification requirements were originally set to kick off this spring.

Once the new deadline is reached, all U.S. travelers 18 and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to take any domestic flight and access certain federal facilities.

In Arizona, the ID is distinguished with a star in the upper right corner. The Arizona Department of Transportation still encourages people to consider getting a new ID ahead of time to avoid delays at TSA checkpoints once this takes effect.

Reminder: Holiday season a great time to get your AZ Travel ID

Arizona residents, Real ID is coming. Here's what you need to know to fly in 2020

Arizona Real ID 2021 update: We're glad you found this article. For the latest information on what Arizona residents need to know about the 2021 Real ID deadline , read our most recent story here:  https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/arizona/2021/01/15/real-id-arizona-deadline-2021/6655566002 .

Real ID is coming. Make an appointment now to upgrade your drivers license or other state-issued ID to a federally compliant Arizona Travel ID to avoid travel nightmares in 2020.

That's the message Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey had for Arizonans during a press conference Thursday at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. They were there to launch the "Don't Get Grounded" campaign.

Gallego and Ducey used the start of Labor Day weekend to remind Arizonans that beginning Oct. 1, 2020, the Transportation Security Administration will accept only IDs that comply with federal regulations  for domestic air travel and admission to federal buildings and military bases.

The TSA says acceptable travel IDs include  passports, military IDs and federally compliant drivers licenses and other state-issued IDs.

"The deadline is going to be here before you know it, so don't let anything get in the way of your future travel plans. Beat the rush. Get your Travel ID. Don't get grounded,"  Ducey said.

Most Arizonans lack compliant IDs

Douglas Nick, an Arizona Department of Transportation spokesperson, said the agency has issued a little more than 400,000 federally compliant Arizona Travel IDs. These include drivers licenses and other state identification cards.

That means a majority of Arizonans don't have a state ID that would allow them to fly. 

With that in mind, Gallego and Ducey are concerned that many Arizonans could see their travel plans disrupted if they go to an airport without the proper identification. Anyone without the correct  form of identification  will not be allowed past security.

Gallego also said she's concerned that there could be a rush to obtain the ID before the law goes into effect and the state will not have enough appointments to get everyone processed in time.

"We are committed to having America's friendliest airport but that will be a little bit harder to do if people are turned away by TSA," Gallego said. 

The "Don't Get Grounded" campaign urges Arizonans to think about what ID they will use when the law takes effect and build in time to replace their drivers license if necessary. It typically takes about 10 days to get your new license in the mail.

Gallego urged Arizonans to obtain the Travel ID even if they don't have immediate travel plans, just in case of an emergency that would require air travel.

You can visit AZTravelID.com to book an appointment. 

Will my current Arizona drivers license work?

"Everyone in Arizona needs to know whether they are Travel ID-ready," Ducey said. He urged Arizonans to look for the gold star on their state ID. 

Here's how you do it: Look at your Arizona drivers license or state ID. If you see USA and a gold star in the upper right corner, your ID is compliant.

If you do not see USA and a star, you'll need to either get a new ID or use another TSA- approved  form of identification , such as a passport, passport card or military ID, when you fly.

FOR SUBSCRIBERS: What new international destinations could Sky Harbor land?

What documents to you need?

You need four documents to get an Arizona Travel ID. 

1. Proof of identity

Bring ONE of the following items:

• Birth certificate.
• U.S. Passport.
• Passport card.

2. Proof of Social Security Number

Bring ONE of the following items:

• Social Security card.

3. Proof of Arizona residency

Bring TWO of these showing your current address:

• Utility bill. 
• Credit card statement.
• Bank statement.
• Insurance policy.

What about my kids?

The TSA does not require IDs for children younger than 18 if they are traveling with an adult within the United States. However, the agency recommends checking with your airline for its specific requirements. 

How much does it cost?

An Arizona travel ID costs $25.

Can I make an appointment?

Yes. Go to AZTravelID.com to make an appointment. Or, visit a Motor Vehicle Division office. Locations and hours are at  www.azdot.gov/motor-vehicles/hours-and-locations .

Do Gallego and Ducey have federally compliant IDs?

Ducey said he has upgraded his state identification. 

"It took me 14 minutes and 38 seconds to receive it," Ducey said as he joked about his trip to Motor Vehicle Services. 

Gallego said she does not have the federally compliant state ID. She has been carrying her passport to meetings in federal buildings that already require complaint ID. 

Do you have questions about what you'll need to travel after Oct. 1, 2020? Let Arizona Republic Consumer Travel Reporter Melissa Yeager know through email at [email protected] . You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram . 

Support local journalism like this story by subscribing  today.

These 5 Arizona hotels were just named among the world's best. Here's why they stand out

Five Arizona hotels were just named among the best in the world for 2024.

Travel + Leisure unveiled its 2024 T+L 500 list of the world's best hotels, compiled based on ratings from its readers, in its May issue. The list includes five Arizona hotels, including four that made T+L's 2023 best hotels in Arizona ranking .

Readers evaluate based on their levels of quality, luxury, service and amenities. Here's a look at which Arizona hotels made the Travel + Leisure 2024 best hotels list.

For more hotels recognized as being among the best of metro Phoenix, read about the honorees in  U.S. News & World Report's 2024 ranking ,  Forbes' 2024 Star Awards , and  Esquire's best new hotels in the world .

Five Arizona hotels selected by Travel + Leisure

Readers of Travel + Leisure, America's largest travel media brand, selected five Arizona hotels on its 2024 ranking of the world's best hotels:

• Castle Hot Springs, Morristown.
• The Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley.
• Mountain Shadows Resort, Paradise Valley.
• Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney's Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley.
• Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson.

“We’re honored to be recognized on the highly coveted T+L 500 List,” said Andrew Chippindall, general manager of Mountain Shadows Resort. “It’s a true testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional experiences for our treasured guests.”

How Travel + Leisure World's Best hotels 2024 were chosen

The T+L 500 list is derived from T+L's annual World's Best Awards, selected based on reader reviews and feedback. Readers were surveyed about their travel experiences around the world, including hotels, cities, islands, airlines, cruise ships and other experiences.

Readers rated hotels based on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and overall value. They scored each category on a scale from "excellent" to "poor."

The hotels recognized this year are favorites among the publication's readers, who named Castle Hot Springs the best Arizona hotel of 2021 and 2022 and the Hermosa Inn the state's best of 2023. All except for Tanque Verde Ranch were included on last year's list of the 10 best hotels in Arizona.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at   [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:   @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

These 12 iconic Arizona hotels ranked among the best in the US in Forbes' 2024 Star Awards

Twelve luxury resorts in Arizona ranked strongly in Forbes Travel Guide's 2024 Star Awards , which was published on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The hotels were touted for their outstanding guest experiences.

Forbes Travel Guide, which describes itself as "the global authority on luxury hospitality," awarded five-star ratings to 544 nationwide properties, including 340 hotels. The survey also honors outstanding restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships.

"What discerning travelers consider luxury can vary, and opinions about hotels are readily available online," said Amanda Frasier, president of ratings for Forbes Travel Guide, in an interview with The Arizona Republic. That's why she finds it important to offer a fair and unbiased survey that evaluates properties based on guest experiences and the value of what consumers pay for.

VAI Resort, Caesars: Biggest hotel openings and renos in Arizona in 2024

How many Arizona hotels did Forbes recognize?

Forbes recognized 12 Arizona hotels in its 2024 ranking: seven in metro Phoenix, three in Tucson and two in Sedona.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Five hotels received four stars and the remaining six were recognized as Recommended Hotels.

However, only one Arizona hotel received five stars: the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Marana, near Tucson. Forbes has recognized the hotel as a five-star property since 2015.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North has been recognized as one of Forbes' four-star properties since 2002, the longest of any Arizona hotel on the list. The Phoenician has appeared on the list each year since 1992, but with different ratings; it's been classified as a four-star property since 2003.

All 12 hotels were also recognized on last year's Forbes list , though two were downgraded. The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician in Phoenix is now four stars, and Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort in Tucson is now a Recommended Hotel.

But a lower rating doesn't necessarily reflect diminishing quality, since all the properties on Forbes' list are being singled out for outstanding luxury experiences, Frasier said. What sets a five-star hotel apart from a four-star or Recommended Hotel is the consistency of the service.

How does Forbes rate hotels?

Forbes says it classifies luxury hotels into three categories:

• Five star recognizes outstanding properties with "virtually flawless service and amazing facilities."
• Four star means a property of exceptional quality and high levels of service.
• Recommended properties are identified for "consistently good service and facilities."

Forbes' website says "highly trained inspectors" visit every hotel and resort they recognize, staying at least two nights and assessing the hotel based on more than 900 standards. The anonymous inspectors pay their own way.

Forbes 5-star hotels in Arizona

• Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Marana.

Forbes 4-star hotels in Arizona

• Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Phoenix.
• Enchantment Resort, Sedona.
• Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North.
• L'Auberge de Sedona.
• The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Phoenix.

Forbes recommended hotels in Arizona

• Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, Tucson.
• Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Phoenix.
• El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort.
• JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa.
• Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix.
• Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Gila River Indian Reservation.

Top 10 hotels: Arizona hotels named best in the west

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

Advertisement

Coming to Alabama: Newsom’s Abortion-Access Ad, Depicting an Arrest

The ad portrays a woman trying to leave the state to have an abortion. The Campaign for Democracy, a political action committee started by Mr. Newsom, the California governor, created it.

• Share full article

By Neil Vigdor

• April 21, 2024

A woman nervously peers into her rearview mirror as a patrolman activates his car’s lights and sirens. She is less than a mile from leaving Alabama to seek abortion services, but it’s too late: The next thing she knows, she is being handed a pregnancy test and is handcuffed.

The encounter is depicted in an unvarnished new television ad called “Fugitive.” The Campaign for Democracy, a political action committee created by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democrat of California, produced the ad.

It will appear on Monday in Alabama, where Republicans have called for prosecuting women who travel elsewhere for an abortion. The state’s abortion ban, one of the nation’s strictest, outlaws the procedure at all stages of pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape and incest.

“Trump Republicans want to criminalize young Alabama women who travel for reproductive care,” the ad’s narrator says.

The ad then shows the patrolman approaching the vehicle: “Miss, I’m going to need you to step out of the vehicle,” he says, tapping the kit on the driver’s side door, “take a pregnancy test.”

The ad is scheduled to run on broadcast and cable television, along with digital platforms like YouTube, for two weeks, according to the PAC. The cost of the ad buy was not immediately available.

Alabama’s attorney general, Steve Marshall, a Republican, has clashed with the Justice Department and abortion assistance providers over whether the state has the authority to prosecute individuals or groups that help women leave the state to have the procedure.

Last month, Republicans introduced a bill in the Alabama House that would make it a misdemeanor to harbor or transport a minor to seek abortion services.

Mr. Newsom has emerged as a key surrogate for President Biden while harboring future White House ambitions of his own. He has regularly skirmished with G.O.P. governors and Republican-led states over abortion access, immigration, crime and other issues.

While Republicans have seized on crossings at the southern border in their messaging, Democrats have harnessed the issue of abortion-access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. It helped propel Democratic candidates to key victories during the midterm elections in 2022 and in races last year.

In February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos were people with rights, casting a cloud of uncertainty over in vitro fertilization. The state later passed a law giving I.V.F. clinics criminal and civil immunity, but it did not address whether embryos have the legal status of human beings.

In another seismic ruling, the Arizona Supreme Court this month upheld an 1864 law that bans nearly all abortions. The decision could have far-reaching consequences for women’s health care and election-year politics in the state, a critical political battleground.

Mr. Newsom said in a social media post at the time that California, which borders Arizona, would provide a refuge for women affected by the decision.

“Arizona wasn’t even a state — it was a territory — when this draconian abortion ban was passed,” he said. “That’s how extreme this is. California remains ready to help Arizonans access reproductive health care.”

Neil Vigdor covers politics for The Times, focusing on voting rights issues and election disinformation. More about Neil Vigdor