Sachin Walls
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers aged 18 and over must present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board a flight, such as a passport, or a state-issued REAL ID. A temporary driver's license is not considered an acceptable form of ID by TSA, and passengers without a REAL ID-compliant ID will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area for additional screening. Passengers without acceptable ID may be able to prove their identity through other means, such as a credit card, a business card with their photo on it, or mail with their name and address.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paper ID accepted at airport | No, not unless it is a REAL ID-compliant form of identification |
| REAL ID-compliant forms of identification | REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) |
| Alternative forms of ID | Passport, credit card, business card with photo, mail or prescription medication with name and address, voter registration, library card |
| Children under 18 | Do not need to provide identification when travelling with a companion within the United States |
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What You'll Learn
TSA requirements for paper ID
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers should either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, like a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices. Passengers who do not have an acceptable form of ID with them may be directed to a separate area and may receive additional screening.
The TSA requires adult passengers (18 and over) to show valid identification at the airport in order to travel. However, the TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when travelling within the United States. Unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck, however, must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. Airlines may also ask for proof of a child's age, so it is recommended to carry a copy of a child's birth certificate when travelling with minors.
The TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date. A temporary driver's license is not considered an acceptable form of ID. For international flights, a passport is required for children and adults alike.
If you do not have a valid form of ID, the TSA has other ways of confirming your identity using publicly available databases. You will need to complete an identity verification process with a TSA officer, which includes collecting information such as your name and current address. It is recommended that you arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of your scheduled departure time to allow for this process.
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REAL ID-compliant forms of ID
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers must either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID card has a star in the upper right corner.
To make your license/ID REAL ID-compliant, you must provide the following documents:
- Proof of identity: This can be a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) if you are a non-U.S. citizen.
- Proof of a Social Security number: You can provide your Social Security card, Form W-2, a pay stub, or a paycheck from your job.
- Proof of residency: This can include a deed, mortgage statement, lease agreement, utility bill, or bank statement.
- Proof of legal presence.
- Proof of name change, if your name appears differently on your proof documents.
Some states may require additional documents, such as two proofs of state residency and a $10 fee, plus the cost of the driver's license or ID card. All documents must be originals and will be subject to verification.
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International travel ID requirements
For Adults:
- Adult passengers aged 18 and above must provide valid identification at the airport to be allowed to travel. This includes both domestic and international flights.
- For international travel, a passport is typically required. Some countries may have specific requirements, such as obtaining an ETA for short stays in the UK.
- For domestic travel within the US, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or a state-issued photo identity card is accepted. However, temporary driver's licenses are not considered valid identification.
- In some cases, other forms of identification, such as a credit card, business card with a photo, or prescription medication with the traveller's name, may be used to support identity verification.
For Minors:
- Children under 18 travelling within the US do not need to provide identification if accompanied by an adult with acceptable ID. However, airlines may request proof of age, such as a birth certificate.
- For international travel, including from or to the US, minors typically need a passport.
- Unaccompanied minors may be subject to specific ID requirements, such as having an acceptable ID for expedited screening with TSA PreCheck.
It is important to check the specific requirements for your destination country and any transit points, as well as keeping up to date with any changes to acceptable forms of identification.
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Identity verification without ID
As per the guidelines by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), adult passengers aged 18 and above must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to be allowed to travel. The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. Hence, it is recommended to check the list of acceptable IDs before travelling to ensure compliance with the requirements.
In the case of losing one's ID, the TSA has alternative methods to confirm one's identity using publicly available databases. However, passengers must arrive at the airport early, preferably two hours ahead of their flight's scheduled departure time, to complete the identity verification process with a TSA officer. The officer will ask for information such as the passenger's name, current address, and other personal details to confirm their identity against a database. If the identity is successfully verified, the passenger will be allowed to proceed to the security screening.
For domestic travel within the US, TSA accepts various forms of identification besides a driver's license. These can include a credit card, a business card with a photo, mail or prescription medication with the passenger's name and address, voter registration, or even a library card. Additionally, filing a police report about the missing ID can help confirm one's identity.
It is important to note that TSA only accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date. As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers without REAL ID-compliant identification will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area for additional screening.
For international travel, it is highly recommended to carry a passport as the primary form of identification. If an individual loses their passport while abroad, they should immediately visit the nearest US embassy to obtain a replacement.
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TSA PreCheck and ID requirements
As of May 7, 2025, state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. Passengers must either travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or enroll for a state-issued REAL ID through their state DMV offices.
TSA PreCheck passengers who present a state-issued identification that is not REAL ID-compliant and who do not have another acceptable alternative form of ID will be notified of their non-compliance and may be directed to a separate area for additional screening. The TSA officer may ask for the passenger's name and current address to confirm their identity. If the passenger's identity is confirmed, they will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint, where they may be subject to additional screening.
TSA PreCheck applicants must provide an original or certified copy of identity/citizenship status documentation during the application process, and the names on all documents must match exactly with the name provided on the application. If the applicant has legally changed their name, they must provide an original or certified name change document (e.g., marriage certificates, divorce decrees) in addition to the required documentation.
Acceptable documents for TSA PreCheck applications include:
- Unexpired U.S. passport (book or card)
- Unexpired Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)
- Unexpired Free and Secure Trade (FAST) Card
- Unexpired U.S. Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Unexpired Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
- Permanent Resident Card (I-551) or "Green Card"
- Unexpired Foreign Passport and Immigrant Visa with I-551 annotation
- Unexpired REAL ID-compliant driver's license issued by a State or outlying possession of the U.S.
- Unexpired REAL ID-compliant state photo identity card issued by a State or outlying possession of the U.S.
- Unexpired U.S. military ID card
- Unexpired U.S. retired military ID card
- Unexpired U.S. military dependent's card
- Unexpired Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
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Frequently asked questions
No, a paper ID is not considered an acceptable form of identification at the airport.
For domestic travel within the US, a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state-issued photo identity card is required. A passport is also accepted.
The TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date.
If you do not have any ID, you may still be able to fly by completing an identity verification process with a TSA officer, who will ask for your name, current address, and other personal details.
Children under 18 travelling within the US are not required to provide identification if they are accompanied by an adult with an acceptable form of ID. However, airlines may ask for proof of a child's age, so it is recommended to carry a copy of their birth certificate.
