Do you have your REAL ID yet? Learn more about how to get it before the May 7, 2025 deadline.
U.S. Travel document requirements
Here’s what you need to travel in the U.S. or a U.S. territory.
Here’s what you need to travel in the U.S. or a U.S. territory.
What you need
Travelers 18 years of age or older need a valid, current U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID. It must have:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Expiration date
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The following IDs are acceptable:
The following IDs are acceptable:
- U.S. or foreign government-issued passport
- U.S. passport card
- Driver’s license or state ID that meets REAL ID standards
- U.S. Military ID
- Permanent Resident Card
- Border Crossing Card
- DHS-designated enhanced driver's license
- A Native American Tribal Photo ID
- An airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
- Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- DHS Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry®, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
Expired documents are not accepted. If you forget your ID, you may still be able to fly after some extra screening. If you refuse to show a form of ID TSA won't allow you past the security checkpoint.
Minors traveling with an adult do not need to show ID at check-in.
Traveler pro tips
Important notes from the TSA:
- If your driver's license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, you can still use it as acceptable ID at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration.
- Starting May 7, 2025, to board domestic flights your driver’s license or state issued ID must be a REAL ID. Make a plan to get your REAL ID before the deadline. If you don’t have time to visit the DMV, you can use another accepted ID, like a valid passport or U.S. military ID.
- The TSA is now using Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) at security checkpoints. The CAT verifies a passenger’s photo ID through TSA’s Secure Flight vetting system. Read more about CAT.
Non-US or Canadian citizens
You don't need to carry a passport if you have documents from the U.S. government like a Permanent Resident Card. Those who don't should be carrying their passport while visiting the U.S.
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Unaccompanied minors
Minors aged 5-14 traveling alone are not required to show ID at time of check-in. We still encourage that they carry some form of ID during travel.
Minors aged 15-17 traveling alone are recommended to hold one of the following:
Driver's license
Passport
Credit card
School ID
Company ID
Library card
Birth certificate
Social Security card
Organization ID (such as athletic club, etc.)
Proof of auto insurance in passengers's name
Review our information on how to prepare a minor to travel alone.
Minors aged 15-17 traveling alone are recommended to hold one of the following:
Driver's license
Passport
Credit card
School ID
Company ID
Library card
Birth certificate
Social Security card
Organization ID (such as athletic club, etc.)
Proof of auto insurance in passengers's name
Review our information on how to prepare a minor to travel alone.
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