Lois Larson
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific requirements for identification documents to be presented at airport security checkpoints. While military members and DOD civilians receive TSA PreCheck benefits for expedited screening, there have been concerns about the acceptance of military IDs as valid identification. TSA has clarified that DoD ID cards, including those issued to dependents, are acceptable alternatives to REAL IDs for domestic travel. However, issues have been reported with old-style ID cards with indefinite expiration dates, as the TSA system interprets INDEF as expired. To avoid such issues, military personnel and their dependents are advised to obtain the latest NextGen ID or carry alternative forms of identification, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or a passport, when traveling.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is dependent military ID acceptable for TSA at the airport? | As of May 7, 2025, TSA requires a REAL ID-compliant state ID or acceptable alternative for domestic commercial flights. DOD ID cards, including those issued to dependents, are listed as acceptable alternatives. However, there have been issues with IDs that have an indefinite expiration date ("INDEF"), as the TSA's system interprets this as "expired". |
| TSA PreCheck benefits | Military members and DOD civilians receive TSA PreCheck benefits for official and personal travel. However, these benefits do not extend to non-DOD-affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Military ID cards with an INDEF expiration date may not work at TSA checkpoints
- DoD ID cards are acceptable alternatives to REAL ID
- Military members do not need to be in uniform to use TSA PreCheck
- Children under 18 do not need to provide ID when travelling within the US
- TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DoD-affiliated military adult dependents
Military ID cards with an INDEF expiration date may not work at TSA checkpoints
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a list of acceptable IDs that are permitted at TSA checkpoints. This list is subject to change without notice, and individuals are encouraged to check the list before travelling to ensure they have acceptable ID. REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, state-issued photo identity cards, U.S. passports, DHS trusted traveler cards, and U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including those issued to dependents, are all acceptable forms of ID. Military Members and DOD Civilians are eligible for TSA PreCheck, which offers an expedited screening program at over 200 airports for official and personal travel.
However, TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DOD affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. Military retirees and some spouses or dependents with DoD identification cards that have an "INDEF" expiration date have reported issues with using their IDs at TSA checkpoints. This is due to the incompatibility of the ID's barcodes with the TSA's scanning system, which has resulted in the IDs being interpreted as expired.
To address this issue, the Defense Department has updated the design of their IDs, known as USIDs, for active-duty family members, military retirees, and their dependents. The new IDs are now compatible with TSA security, and individuals with these updated IDs should not face issues at TSA checkpoints. However, those with the old-style ID cards, which are blue, pink, or tan, may still be able to access military bases, but it is uncertain for how long. As such, it is recommended that individuals with the old-style ID cards obtain the new NextGen IDs to avoid any problems with installation access.
Uber from Sacramento Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
DoD ID cards are acceptable alternatives to REAL ID
As of May 7, 2025, every state and territory resident will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification to board commercial aircraft, enter nuclear power plants, and access federal facilities. The card itself must be REAL ID-compliant unless the resident is using an alternative, acceptable form of documentation.
The Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents, is currently listed as an acceptable form of identification at TSA checkpoints. However, there have been reports of military retirees and some spouses or dependents with DoD identification cards that have an "INDEF" expiration date facing problems when using their IDs at TSA checkpoints. This is due to their IDs not working with TSA screening technology. As a result, the TSA is considering dropping DoD IDs from their list of accepted identification before the REAL ID requirement comes into effect.
Military Members and DoD civilians receive TSA PreCheck as a benefit of their employment and service. TSA PreCheck helps users enjoy a smoother security screening process at over 200 airports and 90 airlines across the country. Benefits are applicable to all official and personal travel, and military members do not need to be in uniform to take advantage of the TSA PreCheck program. However, TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DoD-affiliated military adult dependents aged 18 and over.
To ensure that the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on your boarding pass, you can follow these steps:
- Update your Defense Travel System profile with your DoD ID number in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field
- Update your airline frequent flyer profiles with your DoD ID number in the KTN field
- When booking travel, confirm your DoD ID is in the KTN field
Direct Flights: BWI to Gainesville Regional Airport
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Military members do not need to be in uniform to use TSA PreCheck
While military members do not need to be in uniform to use TSA PreCheck, they must ensure their Defense Travel System and frequent flyer profiles are updated with their DOD ID number. When booking travel, they should also confirm that their DOD ID number is in the KTN field. This will ensure the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on their boarding pass.
It is important to note that TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DOD affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. Spouses and dependents must enrol in the TSA PreCheck program the same way as civilians and are responsible for the application fee. However, children 12 and under can use TSA PreCheck lanes when travelling with an active-duty military member who has TSA PreCheck.
While TSA PreCheck is free for military members, it is not the only form of identification accepted by the TSA. The TSA accepts various forms of identification, including REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, passports, and DHS trusted traveler cards. However, as of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Military retirees and some spouses or dependents with "INDEF" marked on their IDs have faced issues with TSA screening technology. As a result, the TSA is considering dropping DoD IDs from their list of accepted identification before the REAL ID requirement comes into effect.
Airport X-Rays: Are Your Devices at Risk?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Children under 18 do not need to provide ID when travelling within the US
Military members and DOD civilians are eligible for TSA PreCheck, which allows expedited screening at over 200 airports. This benefit extends to both official and personal travel. Military members do not need to be in uniform to take advantage of the TSA PreCheck program. Wounded warriors may also experience expedited screening procedures.
However, TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DOD affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. Additionally, there have been reports of military retirees and some spouses or dependents with next-generation Department of Defense identification cards with an "INDEF" expiration date facing issues when using their IDs at TSA checkpoints. Given these ongoing problems, the TSA is considering dropping DoD IDs from their list of accepted identification before the REAL ID requirement comes into effect in May 2025.
As for children under 18, they are not required to provide identification when travelling within the United States. However, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. It is recommended to contact the airline for specific ID requirements for travellers under 18. Children 12 and under may accompany a parent or guardian when travelling with TSA PreCheck in expedited lanes without restriction.
When travelling within the US, it is important to carry acceptable identification, as those without acceptable ID or who decline to cooperate with the identity verification process will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint. While TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration, this is subject to change without notice. Passengers with state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports starting May 7, 2025. Acceptable forms of ID include REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, state-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses, US passports, and US Department of Defense IDs, including those issued to dependents.
Edinburgh Airport: Getting Euros Before Takeoff
You may want to see also
Explore related products
TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DoD-affiliated military adult dependents
Military members and DOD civilians receive TSA PreCheck as a benefit of their employment and service. This benefit is applicable to all official and personal travel, and military members do not need to be in uniform to take advantage of the program. TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program offered at over 200 airports and 90+ airlines across the country, with 99% of passengers waiting less than 10 minutes.
To ensure that the TSA PreCheck indicator appears on your boarding pass, military members and DOD civilians must update their Defense Travel System profile with their DOD ID number in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field. This number must also be added when booking flight reservations. The Known Traveler Number is issued to all individuals approved to receive TSA PreCheck and must be visible on the boarding pass to access the TSA PreCheck lane.
While TSA PreCheck benefits apply to military members, they do not extend to non-DoD-affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. This means that adult dependents of military personnel who are not affiliated with the Department of Defense will not receive TSA PreCheck benefits and must enrol separately if they wish to do so.
It is worth noting that there have been reports of military retirees and some spouses or dependents facing issues when using their next-generation Department of Defense identification cards with an "INDEF" expiration date at TSA checkpoints. TSA is also considering dropping DoD IDs from their list of accepted identification before the REAL ID requirement comes into effect. Therefore, it is recommended to travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, especially after May 7, 2025, when state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant will no longer be accepted at airports.
Buying Phones at Heathrow: A Guide for Americans
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program offered at over 200 airports and 90 airlines across the country. Military Members and DOD Civilians receive TSA PreCheck as a benefit of their employment and service.
TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DOD affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. However, DOD ID cards, including those issued to dependents, are among the forms of identification listed on the TSA website as acceptable alternatives to the REAL ID.
The TSA accepts a range of other IDs, including REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, U.S. passports, Veteran Health Identification Cards (VHIC), and state-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL). The TSA advises travelers to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling to ensure they have suitable identification.
