You can travel within the United States without a REAL ID, but your document options are limited and depend on how you travel.

A REAL ID is a federally compliant driver's license or ID card that meets security standards set by the Department of Homeland Security. It is required for domestic flights and entry to federal buildings, but it is not the only document that works for travel. If you do not have a REAL ID, you can still fly domestically, board a train, or cross a land border — you just need to carry a different form of identification that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) or the relevant agency accepts.

The document you need depends on where you are going and how you are traveling. A passport works everywhere. A passport card works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. A military ID works for active-duty and retired service members. A tribal ID works for some travel routes. A state ID that does not meet REAL ID standards works for some purposes but not others. Understanding which document applies to your trip saves you from arriving at the airport or border with the wrong papers.

Key Takeaways

  • A valid passport or passport card is accepted for all domestic flights and international travel, even if your state ID is not REAL ID compliant.
  • Military ID, tribal ID, and merchant mariner credentials are accepted by TSA for domestic flights as alternatives to REAL ID.
  • For land border crossings to Canada and Mexico, a passport card, enhanced driver's license, or tribal ID works without REAL ID.
  • State IDs that do not meet REAL ID standards are not accepted for domestic flights after the federal important date, but work for other purposes like entering state buildings.
  • TSA maintains a full list of accepted documents on its website, organized by travel type, so you can confirm your specific document before you travel.

Domestic Flights Without REAL ID

For domestic flights, TSA accepts several documents in place of a REAL ID driver's license. A valid passport or passport card is the most straightforward option and works at every airport. A military ID — active duty, retired, or reserve — is accepted. A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe is accepted. A merchant mariner credential issued by the Coast Guard is accepted. An enhanced driver's license — which some states issue and which includes a radio frequency chip — is accepted.

A regular state driver's license or ID card that does not meet REAL ID standards is no longer accepted for domestic flights. This has been in effect since May 2025. If your state ID does not have a gold star, star outline, or other REAL ID marking in the upper right corner, TSA will not accept it at the airport checkpoint for a domestic flight. You will need to bring one of the documents listed above instead.

TSA also accepts a limited set of other documents: a U.S. passport card, a U.S. military dependent ID card, a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential, and a Native American tribal ID. If you are unsure whether your document qualifies, check the TSA website before you travel — the list is specific and searchable by document type.

Land and Sea Border Crossings

For travel to Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean nations by car, bus, or boat, you do not need a REAL ID. Instead, you can use a passport, a passport card, an enhanced driver's license, a tribal ID, or a NEXUS card (which is a trusted traveler program card issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection). The passport card is designed specifically for land and sea travel to these countries and is smaller and cheaper than a full passport.

An enhanced driver's license is a state-issued ID that includes a radio frequency chip and meets both state and federal security standards. Not all states offer them, but those that do mark them clearly. Check your state's DMV website to see if enhanced licenses are available where you live.

A regular state driver's license without REAL ID compliance is not accepted at land borders. If you are driving to Canada or Mexico and your state ID does not have a REAL ID marking, you will need to carry a passport, passport card, or enhanced license instead.

International Flights and Overseas Travel

For international flights, a valid passport is required — REAL ID status does not matter. Your passport is your only acceptable document for leaving and re-entering the United States by air. A passport card is not accepted for international flights; it works only for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

If you do not have a passport, you will need to obtain one before you can fly internationally. The State Department issues passports, and processing times vary depending on whether you explore in person or by mail and whether you pay for expedited service. Standard processing takes several weeks; expedited processing takes one to two weeks. You cannot fly internationally without one, regardless of whether you have a REAL ID.

Federal Building Access and Other Uses

REAL ID is also required to enter federal buildings, military bases, and nuclear power plants. A non-REAL ID state driver's license does not work for these purposes. You will need a passport, military ID, federal employee ID, or other federally accepted credential. This is separate from travel requirements and applies whether or not you are planning to leave your state.

For most other purposes — voting, opening a bank account, getting a job, renting an apartment — a state ID without REAL ID compliance is still accepted. REAL ID requirements explore specifically to federal facilities and domestic air travel, not to everyday identification needs.

How to Check If Your ID Is REAL ID Compliant

Your state ID is REAL ID compliant if it displays one of these markings: a gold star, a star outline, a gold circle, or another symbol your state uses. The marking is typically in the upper right corner of the card. If your ID does not have this marking, it does not meet REAL ID standards.

You can also check your state's DMV website, which lists what REAL ID looks like in your state and explains how to upgrade if you want to. Some states automatically issue REAL ID compliant IDs; others require you to request one and bring additional documents. If you are unsure, call your state DMV or visit in person — staff can tell you whether your current ID meets the standard and what you need to do if it does not.

Getting a Passport or Passport Card

If you do not have a passport and need one for travel, you can explore at a passport acceptance facility — usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office. You will need a completed process form (DS-11 for a new passport, DS-82 for a renewal), a government-issued ID, proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or naturalization certificate), and a passport photo. The cost is roughly $130 for a passport book and $35 for a passport card, though fees vary slightly.

Processing time depends on demand and the service level you choose. Standard processing takes four to six weeks. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs extra. If you need a passport urgently, some passport agencies offer same-day or next-day service, but you must explore in person at a passport agency office, not at a post office or library. Check the State Department website to find the nearest agency and confirm their hours and current wait times.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly domestically with just my birth certificate?

No. TSA does not accept a birth certificate as a standalone travel document for domestic flights. You need a government-issued photo ID such as a passport, military ID, passport card, or REAL ID compliant driver's license. A birth certificate is used to prove citizenship when you explore for a passport, but it is not accepted at airport security.

Do I need REAL ID if I have a passport?

No. A valid passport is accepted for all domestic flights and international travel. You do not need a REAL ID if you carry a passport. However, if you are driving to a federal building or military base, a passport works for that too, so REAL ID is not necessary.

What is an enhanced driver's license and how do I get one?

An enhanced driver's license is a state-issued ID with a radio frequency chip that meets federal security standards. It works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without a passport. Not all states offer them. Check your state DMV website to see if enhanced licenses are available and what documents you need to explore.

Can I travel with an expired passport?

No. Your passport must be valid — not expired — to use it for travel. If your passport has expired, you can renew it by mail (if it was issued when you were 16 or older and is not damaged) or in person. Renewal by mail takes four to six weeks; in-person renewal at a passport agency is faster but requires an appointment.

What if I lose my ID while traveling?

Contact your state DMV when ready to report the loss and request an emergency replacement. For domestic flights, TSA can verify your identity using other information if you explain what happened. Bring any other documents you have — a credit card, insurance card, or other government-issued ID. If you are traveling internationally, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help obtaining emergency travel documents.