Owais Crawford
As of May 7, 2025, all U.S. travelers must present a REAL ID-compliant license or state ID, or another acceptable form of identification, to board commercial aircraft, access federal facilities, and enter nuclear power plants. A REAL ID-compliant card will have a star marking in the upper right corner. If you do not have a REAL ID, you can use a U.S. passport, a DHS-trusted traveler card, or a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID), among other forms of ID.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is it possible to fly without an ID? | Technically, yes, but it can be difficult and depends on where you're going. |
| What if I have a benefit ID card? | It depends on whether the benefit ID card is a REAL ID-compliant form of identification. |
| What is REAL ID? | The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, set standards for the issuance of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards. |
| What are some examples of REAL ID-compliant IDs? | U.S. passport, U.S. Department of Defense ID, State-issued driver's licenses, and IDs that are REAL ID-compliant. |
| Are there any alternative forms of identification accepted by TSA? | Yes, some alternative forms of ID accepted by TSA include U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card, U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential, and State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID). |
| Are there any IDs that are not accepted by TSA? | Temporary driver's licenses, Costco membership cards, school IDs, and birth certificates are not accepted by TSA. |
| Are there any age-specific requirements for ID? | Children under 18 generally do not need to present ID when traveling within the U.S., but unaccompanied minors eligible for TSA PreCheck must show acceptable ID for expedited screening. |
| What happens if I arrive at the airport without a valid ID? | According to the TSA website, you may still be allowed to fly, but you should arrive at least two hours before your flight. You will need to complete an identity verification process by providing information such as your name, current address, and other personal information. |
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What You'll Learn
Flying without a Real 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. However, this does not mean that you cannot fly without a REAL ID. If you do not have a REAL ID, you will need to present another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, or undergo additional identity verification. This may include extra screening, which could take up additional time, so it is recommended that travelers without a REAL ID arrive at the airport early.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, a passport can be used instead of a REAL ID to board domestic flights. An Enhanced Driver's License issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, or Vermont can also be used as an alternative form of identification. For international travel, a passport or passport card is always required. Additionally, TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration for the above-listed forms of identification.
If you are unsure whether your ID complies with REAL ID standards, you can check with your state department of motor vehicles. Each state's driver's licensing agency lists the documentation required to obtain a REAL ID. The process may vary depending on the state, and it can take some time to receive your new REAL ID, so it is important to plan ahead.
While the REAL ID Act aims to tighten air travel security, there have been reports of people being able to fly without it. Some travelers have shared their experiences of flying without a REAL ID, mentioning extra screening measures such as pat-downs and swabbing of belongings. However, the impact on their overall travel experience was minimal, and in some cases, they were able to proceed without significant delays.
In conclusion, while having a REAL ID is important for air travel within the United States, it is not the only option for identification. Alternative forms of ID, such as a passport, can be used, and additional identity verification processes are in place for those without a REAL ID. Travelers should be prepared for potential delays and allow for extra time at the airport if they do not have a compliant ID.
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Alternative forms of ID
As of May 7, 2025, the TSA no longer accepts IDs that do not comply with REAL ID requirements. REAL ID-compliant forms of identification include:
- REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses
- State-issued ID cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passport or passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
If you do not have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification, you may still be able to fly by enrolling for a state-issued REAL ID through your state DMV offices or by presenting an alternative form of ID. Passengers who present a non-compliant form of ID at TSA checkpoints without 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 you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name and current address to confirm your identity.
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Flying without any ID
As of May 7, 2025, all passengers aged 18 and over must present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification to board a domestic flight or enter a federal facility in the US. REAL ID-compliant forms of identification include state-issued driver's licenses, state photo identity cards, and passports. A temporary driver's license is not considered an acceptable form of identification.
However, if you do not have a REAL ID-compliant form of identification, you may still be able to fly by completing an identity verification process at the airport. It is recommended that you arrive at least two hours before your flight to complete this process, which may include providing information such as your name, current address, and other personal information. You may also be subject to additional screening measures, such as a pat-down, and your carry-on items may be searched.
If you are flying internationally, you will need a passport or another approved form of identification to enter another country. This procedure of flying without an ID only applies to domestic flights within the United States.
Children under 18 do not need to provide identification when travelling within the US, although unaccompanied minors eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening.
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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 will no longer be accepted as valid forms of identification at airports. REAL ID-compliant forms of ID include:
- A REAL ID-compliant driver's license. This can be obtained from your state DMV offices. If your driver's license or state ID has a star in the upper right-hand corner, it is REAL ID-compliant.
- A REAL ID-compliant state photo identity card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent).
- A valid U.S. passport.
- A U.S. Department of Defense ID.
- A Transportation Worker Identification Credential.
- A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766).
- A U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential.
To obtain a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID card, you must bring the following documents to your state's DMV offices:
- Proof of identity (e.g., a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Card).
- Proof of a Social Security number (e.g., a Social Security card, Form W-2, pay stub, or paycheck).
- Proof of residency (e.g., 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.
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Identification for children
Children under 18 are generally not required to provide identification when travelling within the United States. However, it is recommended that children carry some form of photo identification when travelling by air, especially for international flights. All airlines require the same documentation for children as they do for adults on international flights, and representatives at the boarding gate will not allow children onto an aircraft flying overseas or across national borders without a valid passport. In the case of minors travelling without one or both of their parents, additional documentation may be required. For example, if only one parent is accompanying a minor on a flight, that parent will need to bring documentation granting the child permission to travel without the other parent.
Although a birth certificate is not required for toddlers and older children to travel, it is recommended to carry it when heading out of state or out of the country. Birth certificates can be useful if other forms of identification are lost during travel.
Unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck must show an acceptable ID to receive expedited screening. Acceptable forms of ID for unaccompanied minors include REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or the equivalent), passports, and passport cards. A temporary driver's license is not considered an acceptable form of identification.
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. Passengers travelling with 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.
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Frequently asked questions
A REAL ID is an upgraded version of a state-issued driver's license. It is a federally-issued ID that requires a person to provide a variety of identity-affirming documents to the DMV.
TSA-accepted forms of ID include REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, state photo identity cards, U.S. passports, DHS trusted traveler cards, and U.S. Department of Defense IDs.
No, a temporary ID is not an acceptable form of identification at the airport. You will need to bring another approved form of ID, such as a passport.
If your state-issued ID is not REAL ID-compliant, you will need to travel with an acceptable alternative form of ID, such as a passport, or enroll for a REAL ID through your state DMV.
