Lois Larson
As of May 7, 2025, all adult passengers aged 18 and above must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to travel on domestic flights in the US. While state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted, an EAD card is considered a valid form of government identification and is on the list of accepted IDs. However, it is always good to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling to ensure you have the right documents. Additionally, when checking in at the airport, it is not mandatory to use the self-check-in kiosks, as there are still check-in counters available. These kiosks typically require a credit card for identification purposes and are useful for obtaining boarding passes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is EAD card accepted at airport kiosks? | Yes, EAD is a valid form of government identification. |
| Alternative IDs | REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, state photo identity cards, U.S. passport, DHS trusted traveler cards, U.S. Department of Defense ID, acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe |
| Other options | Credit card used to make the reservation, printing boarding passes from your computer |
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What You'll Learn
EAD cards are accepted at TSA checkpoints
As of May 7, 2025, all adult passengers aged 18 and above must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to travel on a domestic flight in the US. This means that 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 should 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.
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is a valid form of government identification and is accepted by the TSA as a valid ID for domestic flights if the client doesn't have a passport or REAL ID. TSA-accepted IDs include REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, state photo identity cards, US passports, DHS trusted traveler cards, and US Department of Defense IDs. The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice, and passengers are strongly encouraged to check the list before traveling.
It is important to note that the EAD card is not valid for border crossings into Canada, Mexico, or other international travel destinations. For international travel, a passport or other accepted form of ID is required.
In addition to the EAD card, TSA also accepts other forms of ID, such as a valid passport issued by a foreign government for domestic flight identification. TSA also accepts Canadian provincial driver's licenses, US-issued Enhanced Tribal Cards, and Border Crossing Cards commonly issued to Mexican nationals.
It is recommended that travelers check the latest TSA requirements and wait times at their departure airport terminal before leaving for the airport to ensure a smooth security screening process.
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EAD cards are valid government identification
It is important to note that the list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice, and travelers are strongly encouraged to check the list of acceptable IDs before traveling to ensure they have the proper documentation. In addition, TSA currently accepts expired IDs for up to two years after expiration, but travelers without acceptable identification will not be permitted to enter the security checkpoint.
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prove that an individual is authorized to work in the United States for a specific period. The EAD card is also known as Form I-766 and is valid until the expiration date shown on the card. USCIS redesigns the EAD card every three to five years to reduce the risk of fraud and counterfeiting.
While EAD cards are valid government identification, there may be instances where individuals with pending immigration applications or without legal status in the US have obtained an EAD card. In these cases, traveling domestically may pose a risk, and it is recommended to consult official government sources or legal advice for specific situations.
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TSA kiosks require credit cards for ID
As of May 7, 2025, all adult passengers aged 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport to travel on a domestic flight in the US. This can include a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other state photo identity card issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent). However, it's important to note that a temporary driver's license is not considered acceptable identification.
While TSA kiosks do not require credit cards for ID, there are various other forms of identification that are accepted. These include:
- U.S. passports
- U.S. passport cards
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- Mobile driver's licenses, which are digital representations of physical licenses stored on smartphones and read electronically through secure transactions
- Digital IDs, which can be added to a TSA-approved digital ID app or a phone's digital wallet and scanned at the kiosk
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
It's worth noting that TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date, and children under 18 are not required to provide identification when traveling within the United States. Additionally, the TSA website provides a comprehensive list of acceptable forms of identification, which travelers are encouraged to review before arriving at the airport.
In certain instances, an EAD card can be used as a valid form of government identification for TSA. However, this may depend on the individual's legal status, and it is always recommended to have additional forms of identification when traveling.
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EAD cards are accepted without passports or REAL ID
As of May 7, 2025, all adult passengers aged 18 and above must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint to travel on domestic flights in the US. While a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state-issued ID card is required, an EAD card is also accepted as a valid form of government identification if you do not have a passport or REAL ID.
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prove that an individual is authorized to work in the United States for a specified period. It is important to note that having an EAD does not necessarily confer legal status in the US.
When using airport kiosks for check-in and obtaining boarding passes, some airlines may require a credit card or the frequent flyer membership card used for the reservation instead of a form of identification. It is recommended to check with your airline to understand their specific requirements.
While EAD cards are generally accepted at TSA checkpoints, it is always advisable to check the latest acceptable forms of identification before traveling to avoid any issues at the airport.
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TSA checkpoints also accept REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses
As of May 7, 2025, all adult passengers (18 and older) travelling on domestic flights in the US must show valid REAL ID-compliant identification at the airport checkpoint. This means that state-issued driver's licenses and IDs that are not REAL ID-compliant are no longer accepted as valid forms of identification at TSA checkpoints. 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.
REAL ID-compliant forms of identification include:
- REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses
- Other state photo identity cards issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent)
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- U.S. passports
- U.S. passport cards
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense IDs, including IDs issued to dependents
- Acceptable photo IDs issued by federally recognized Tribal Nations/Indian Tribes, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
It is important to note that the list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. Passengers are strongly encouraged to check the list of acceptable IDs before travelling to ensure they have the proper identification.
In addition to REAL ID-compliant IDs, TSA checkpoints also accept other valid forms of government-issued identification, such as the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card. While the EAD card is accepted, individuals without legal status in the US travel at their own risk. It is recommended to have additional forms of identification when using an EAD card for travel.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use an EAD card at airport kiosks as it is a valid form of government identification.
You can use a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a state-issued photo identity card, a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a DHS trusted traveler card, or a U.S. Department of Defense ID.
No, it is not mandatory to use self-check-in kiosks at the airport. You can still check in at a counter, especially if you have luggage.
