Ruth Haines
As of May 7, 2025, all travelers must present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to board commercial flights. While military IDs are still considered valid for domestic airline travel, military retirees and spouses or dependents with DoD identification cards with an INDEF expiration date have faced issues at TSA checkpoints. This is because the TSA's computer system interprets the INDEF date as expired. In such cases, travelers may be asked to provide another acceptable form of ID or undergo additional screening. To expedite the screening process, members of the U.S. Armed Forces can include their DOD ID number in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field when making flight reservations, which grants them TSA PreCheck® benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military ID accepted at airports? | Yes, DoD-issued IDs are accepted by the TSA for domestic airline travel. |
| TSA PreCheck benefits | Military members can use their DoD ID number as their KTN to receive TSA PreCheck benefits. |
| ID requirements | All passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport. |
| REAL ID requirements | As of May 7, 2025, state-issued IDs must be REAL ID-compliant or accompanied by an acceptable alternative form of ID. |
| Unacceptable IDs | Temporary driver's licenses are not accepted. Military IDs with "INDEF" expiration dates may cause issues and require additional forms of ID. |
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What You'll Learn
Military IDs are valid for domestic US flights
The TSA has confirmed that all DoD-issued identification, including IDs with indefinite expiration dates, will remain valid for airline travel after the new REAL ID compliance rules take effect on May 7, 2025. This means that DoD IDs, including those issued to dependents, will continue to be accepted as an official form of identification at TSA checkpoints for domestic US flights.
However, it is important to note that there have been reports of military retirees and spouses or dependents with DoD identification cards that have an "INDEF" expiration date facing issues at TSA checkpoints. This is because the TSA's computer system may interpret the "INDEF" date as "expired." In such cases, travellers may be asked to present another acceptable form of ID, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or passport. Alternatively, a supervisory review of the document and traveller may be conducted.
To expedite the screening process and reduce wait times at the airport, members of the US Armed Forces can use their Department of Defense identification number to sign up for TSA PreCheck. This allows military personnel to keep their shoes, belt, and light jacket on during screening and eliminates the need to remove laptops and liquids from their bags. To receive TSA PreCheck benefits, individuals should enter their 10-digit DOD ID number, located on the back of their Common Access Card (CAC), into the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field when making flight reservations.
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Military ID holders may face issues at TSA checkpoints
One issue arises from the "INDEF" expiration date on some DoD identification cards. The TSA's computer system may interpret the "INDEF" date as "expired," leading to additional checks and delays. In such cases, travellers may be asked to provide another acceptable form of identification, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or passport.
To avoid potential issues, military ID holders can take several precautions. Firstly, it is recommended to check the list of acceptable IDs on the TSA website before travelling, as the list is subject to change without notice. Additionally, military-connected travellers can include their DOD ID number in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field when making flight reservations to receive TSA PreCheck® benefits. This allows them to expedite the security screening process and reduce wait times at the airport.
It is important to note that TSA PreCheck® benefits do not extend to non-DoD-affiliated military adult dependents. However, unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck® must show an acceptable form of ID to receive expedited screening. In the event that a military ID is rejected at a TSA checkpoint, travellers are advised to ask for a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO) for assistance.
While the REAL ID enforcement enhances safety and security for travellers, it has caused some challenges for military ID holders. By staying informed about acceptable forms of identification and utilising TSA PreCheck® benefits, military personnel and their families can navigate these requirements more smoothly.
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TSA PreCheck® benefits for military members
Military members and DOD civilians can receive TSA PreCheck benefits for official and personal travel. This includes expedited screening, which is designed to enhance the travel experience for those who serve in the military. The benefits are available to both injured and disabled service members.
To access TSA PreCheck, military members must include their DOD ID number in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field when making flight reservations. A TSA PreCheck indicator must then be visible on the boarding pass. The KTN can also be added when booking reservations online via a participating airline website, by phone with an airline reservation agent, or with the travel management company making the reservations. It is important to save the KTN to any frequent flyer profiles, employer booking systems, or online travel websites that are used.
Additionally, members of the U.S. Armed Forces do not need to opt-in to TSA PreCheck. However, DOD federal civilian employees must opt-in at the ID Card Office Online. Cadets and midshipmen of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Coast Guard Academy also receive free TSA PreCheck benefits.
It is important to note that TSA PreCheck benefits do not extend to non-DOD-affiliated military adult dependents age 18 and over. Also, TSA PreCheck benefits do not continue after leaving the DOD. Military retirees with DoD identification cards that have an "INDEF" expiration date may face issues at TSA checkpoints due to the system interpreting the "INDEF" date as "expired". In such cases, another acceptable form of ID may be requested, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, passport, or other acceptable form of ID.
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Military ID cards with INDEF expiration dates
Military ID cards are acceptable forms of identification for airport security checkpoints. However, Military retirees and spouses or dependents with DoD identification cards that have an "INDEF" or indefinite expiration date have faced issues at TSA checkpoints in some US airports. This is because the TSA's computer system interprets the "INDEF" date as "expired". In such cases, travellers may be asked to present another acceptable form of ID, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, passport, or other approved identification.
The REAL ID Act, which comes into force on May 7, 2025, requires US travellers to present a REAL ID-compliant license or an alternative acceptable form of identification to board commercial flights. 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 from this date.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has confirmed that all DoD-issued identification, including those with indefinite expiration dates, will remain valid for airline travel after the new REAL ID compliance rules take effect. DoD IDs, including those issued to dependents, are on the official TSA list of acceptable identification.
While DoD officials encourage those holding legacy (paper-based) identification cards with indefinite expiration dates to update to the new model, they have not set a termination date for the older IDs. The replacement of paper-based USID cards with 4- or 5-year expiration dates will occur by December 31, 2025, according to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC). However, the DMDC has stated that the replacement of "INDEF" cards "must be completed at the customer's convenience prior to the paper-based card [form's] termination in 2026."
If a military-connected traveller's ID card is rejected, a TSA spokesperson has advised that they should ask for a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO) as a military ID is an acceptable form of ID and should not be rejected.
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REAL ID-compliant state IDs and accepted alternatives
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 will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification to board commercial flights.
REAL ID-compliant cards will have one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity for boarding a commercial aircraft. State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs) and identification cards (EDLs/EIDs) are designated as acceptable alternatives to REAL ID-compliant cards and will also be accepted for official REAL ID purposes. Currently, only five states issue EDLs/EIDs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. EDLs/EIDs can be identified by the image of the U.S. flag and the word "Enhanced" at the top of the card.
Identification cards issued by the Defense Department will continue to be accepted by the Transportation Security Administration for domestic airline travel after the May 7, 2025 deadline for travelers who use a state-issued ID to comply with new REAL ID rules. DoD Common Access Cards, Uniformed Services ID cards, and the older DoD ID cards for military family members and retirees are acceptable forms of identification, as are Personal Identity Verification Cards issued to some Defense Department civilian personnel.
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Frequently asked questions
The REAL ID requirement is a mandate that came into effect on May 7, 2025, requiring U.S. travelers to present a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to board commercial flights.
The TSA accepts REAL ID-compliant state IDs, U.S. passports or passport cards, Department of Homeland Security trusted traveler cards, Veteran Health Identification Cards, and more. Military IDs with “INDEF” expiration dates have caused issues at TSA checkpoints, but the TSA has confirmed that these IDs are still valid for domestic airline travel.
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces can use their Department of Defense (DoD) identification number as their Known Traveler Number (KTN) to receive TSA PreCheck benefits, which allow for expedited screening. When making flight reservations, enter the 10-digit number on the back of your DoD Common Access Card (CAC) into the KTN field.
According to a TSA spokesperson, travelers with military IDs should ask for a Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO) if their ID is rejected.
