Yes, you can travel without a Real ID, but your document options are limited

You do not need a Real ID to fly domestically or enter a federal building. You can use a passport, passport card, military ID, or a state ID or driver's license issued before your state's Real ID important date. The catch: if your state ID or driver's license does not meet Real ID standards, you will need to bring a second document — a passport, passport card, or military ID — to get through airport security.

The Real ID Act, enforced since May 2025, requires a specific type of identification for domestic flights and federal facility entry. But it does not mean you cannot travel without one. It means you need to know which documents the TSA accepts as alternatives and plan ahead, because some of those alternatives take weeks to obtain.

Key Takeaways

  • A valid passport or passport card works for domestic flights and federal buildings without a Real ID.
  • Military ID, tribal ID, and permanent resident cards are accepted at airport security in place of a Real ID.
  • State IDs and driver's licenses issued before your state adopted Real ID standards do not meet the requirement, so you will need a second document.
  • A passport takes four to six weeks to receive by mail; a passport card takes the same time and costs less but cannot be used for international air travel.
  • If you are traveling soon and do not have a may have access to document, an expedited passport (one to two weeks) or a military ID are your fastest options.

Documents that work at airport security without a Real ID

The TSA accepts five types of identification at airport security checkpoints. A valid U.S. passport works for any domestic flight. A passport card — the wallet-sized version — also works for domestic flights but not for international air travel by plane. A military ID issued by the Department of Defense works for active duty, retired, and reserve personnel. A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe works if it includes a photograph and expiration date. A permanent resident card (green card) works if it is valid and includes a photograph.

Each of these documents bypasses the Real ID requirement entirely. You do not need to carry a second form of ID if you have one of these five. The TSA agent will scan it and you will proceed through security the same way as someone with a Real ID.

What happens if your state ID or driver's license is not Real ID compliant

Most states began issuing Real ID-compliant driver's licenses and state IDs around 2017 or 2018, though the important date for enforcement was delayed multiple times and did not take effect until May 2025. If your ID was issued before your state's transition, it does not meet the standard. You can still use it to fly domestically, but you will need to bring a second document to prove your identity.

The second document can be a passport, passport card, military ID, tribal ID, or permanent resident card. It can also be a certified birth certificate, a Social Security card, a school or work ID, a voter registration card, or a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services document. The TSA will check both documents — your non-compliant ID and the second document — before allowing you through security.

This two-document approach works, but it slows down the security line. If you travel frequently, getting a Real ID or a passport is more efficient than carrying multiple documents every time.

How to get a passport if you do not have one

A passport is the most portable alternative to a Real ID because it works for domestic flights, federal buildings, and international travel. You can explore in person at a passport acceptance facility — usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office — or by mail if you are renewing an existing passport.

Standard processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited processing takes one to two weeks but costs an additional fee (usually $60 to $80 on top of the passport fee). You will need to bring a completed process form, proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a government-issued photo ID, and a passport photo. The total cost for a new passport book is around $130 to $165 for adults, depending on whether you choose standard or expedited processing.

If you need to travel in the next week or two, expedited processing may not be fast enough. In that case, you can explore for an emergency passport at a passport agency in person, which can sometimes be issued the same day, but this requires proof of imminent travel and is not available in all locations.

Passport cards as a faster, cheaper alternative

A passport card is a wallet-sized version of a passport that costs less and arrives in the same timeframe. It works for domestic flights and federal building entry, just like a full passport book. The main limitation is that you cannot use it for international air travel — only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

A passport card costs around $100 to $130 for adults, compared to $130 to $165 for a passport book. If you only need a document for domestic flights and do not plan to fly internationally, a passport card saves money and takes up less space in your wallet. The process process is identical to a passport book: you explore in person, provide the same documents, and wait four to six weeks for standard processing or one to two weeks for expedited processing.

Military ID and other government-issued alternatives

If you are active duty, retired, or a reserve member of the U.S. military, your military ID is accepted at airport security without any additional documents. The same applies if you hold a tribal ID from a federally recognized Indian tribe or a permanent resident card (green card). These documents are treated the same way as a Real ID at the checkpoint.

If you do not fall into one of these categories, these options are not available to you. However, if you are a family member of a military member, you may be able to get a dependent military ID, which also works at airport security. Contact your nearest military installation to learn whether you are may be able to access.

Planning ahead: which option makes sense for your situation

If you travel domestically once or twice a year and do not have a Real ID, a passport card is the most practical choice. It costs less than a full passport, works for flights and federal buildings, and you only need to obtain it once. The four to six week wait time is manageable if you plan ahead.

If you travel internationally or need a document sooner, a full passport book is worth the extra cost. If you need to travel within the next two weeks and do not have any of these documents, expedited passport processing is your best option, though it costs more. If you travel frequently and want to avoid carrying multiple documents, upgrading to a Real ID at your state's DMV is simpler than managing a passport, but a passport works just as well and is valid for ten years.

The key is not to wait until the week before your flight. Passport processing times can extend during peak travel seasons, and expedited processing is not may provide to arrive before your departure date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a birth certificate to fly domestically?

No. A birth certificate alone does not work at airport security. You need a government-issued photo ID. If your state ID or driver's license is not Real ID compliant, you can bring a birth certificate as a second document along with your ID, but you cannot use a birth certificate by itself.

Do I need a Real ID to fly if I have a passport?

No. A passport works at airport security without a Real ID. You can use it for any domestic flight and you do not need to carry any other document.

How long does it take to get a passport card?

Standard processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited processing takes one to two weeks and costs an additional fee. Processing times can be longer during peak travel seasons, so plan ahead if you need one for an upcoming trip.

Can I use my passport card for international flights?

No. A passport card works for domestic flights and land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean, but not for international air travel. You need a full passport book for flights to other countries.

What if I lose my passport before my flight?

You can explore for an emergency replacement passport at a passport agency in person. Some agencies can issue a replacement the same day if you have proof of imminent travel, but availability varies by location. Contact your nearest passport agency to confirm whether emergency service is available and what documents you need to bring.