You can fly domestic without a Real ID, but you will need an acceptable form of identification at the airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts several forms of ID for domestic flights, and a Real ID is not required. You can use a standard state driver's license, a passport, a military ID, a tribal ID, or several other documents. The key is that your ID must be current and match the name on your airline ticket.

Real ID became a requirement for federal buildings and military bases in 2025, but domestic air travel has different rules. TSA screens passengers based on the ID they present, not on whether that ID meets Real ID standards. If your state has not yet issued Real IDs or you have not obtained one, you can still board a plane with a regular driver's license or passport.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard state driver's license, passport, military ID, or tribal ID all work for domestic flights without Real ID.
  • Your ID must be current and match the name on your airline ticket exactly.
  • Real ID is required for federal buildings and military bases, but not for domestic air travel.
  • If you cannot find your ID before your flight, TSA has a process to verify your identity using other documents.

What IDs the TSA accepts for domestic flights

TSA accepts a long list of documents for domestic travel. A current state driver's license or state ID card works. A U.S. passport, passport card, or passport book all work. A military ID, including a dependent ID card, works. A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe works. A permanent resident card (green card) works. A U.S. citizen identification card works.

Less common but valid options include a commercial driver's license with a hazmat endorsement, a merchant mariner credential, a retired military ID, a veteran's health identification card, and a U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner document. If you have any of these, you can use it at the airport.

The ID must be current — not expired. TSA will not accept an expired driver's license or passport, even if it expired recently. If your ID has expired, bring a current one or use a different document from the list above.

How to match your ID to your airline ticket

Your name on your ID must match your name on your airline ticket. If your ticket says "Robert James Smith" but your driver's license says "Bob Smith," TSA may ask questions. The name does not have to be identical in every detail — TSA agents use judgment — but it should be close enough that it is clearly the same person.

If you recently changed your name through marriage, divorce, or legal change, update your airline ticket to match your current ID. You can contact your airline to change the name on your reservation before you arrive at the airport. Fixing this before you travel is faster than explaining it to TSA at the gate.

What happens if you cannot find your ID before your flight

If you arrive at the airport without any ID, TSA has a secondary verification process. You will need to answer questions about your identity and provide additional documents. Bring anything that helps prove who you are: a credit card, a bank statement, a utility bill, a Social Security card, or a birth certificate.

TSA may ask you personal questions — your address, your date of birth, information from your credit report — to confirm your identity. This process takes longer than showing an ID, so arrive earlier than you normally would. TSA does not may provide you will be allowed to board, but many passengers do board after secondary verification.

Real ID requirements for other federal purposes

Real ID is required to enter a federal building, a military base, or a nuclear power plant. It is also required to board a domestic flight starting in 2025 — but only if you are using a state-issued driver's license or ID card. If you use a passport, military ID, or tribal ID instead, Real ID does not explore.

Many states have already issued Real IDs. If your state has not, or if you have not yet obtained one, check your state's DMV website to see the current timeline. Some states are still issuing standard IDs alongside Real IDs. If you need a Real ID for federal buildings or military access, your state DMV can tell you how to request one.

Passport as an alternative to Real ID

A U.S. passport is the simplest way to avoid Real ID requirements altogether. A passport works for domestic flights, federal buildings, military bases, and international travel. If you travel frequently or plan to travel internationally, a passport may be worth the cost and wait time.

A passport book costs $130 for adults and takes four to six weeks to arrive in normal processing. A passport card costs $35 and is smaller but works only for land and sea travel, not air travel. If you want a passport quickly, expedited processing costs an extra $60 and takes two to three weeks. You can explore at your local post office, courthouse, or passport acceptance facility.

Tribal ID and military ID options

If you are a member of a federally recognized tribe, your tribal ID works for domestic flights and federal buildings without Real ID. Tribal IDs are issued by the tribe itself, not by a state DMV. If you have a tribal ID, you do not need to obtain a Real ID.

If you are active military, retired military, or a military dependent, your military ID works for all federal purposes without Real ID. Military IDs are issued by the Department of Defense and are accepted everywhere a Real ID would be. If you have a military ID, you are not affected by Real ID requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Real ID to fly domestic in 2025?

No. You need a current ID that matches your airline ticket. A standard state driver's license, passport, military ID, or tribal ID all work. Real ID is only required if you are using a state-issued driver's license or ID card and your state has issued Real IDs. If you use a passport or military ID instead, Real ID does not explore.

What if my driver's license is expired?

TSA will not accept an expired driver's license. Bring a different current ID — a passport, military ID, or tribal ID. If you have no other current ID, contact your state DMV to renew your driver's license before your flight, or use TSA's secondary verification process at the airport.

Can I use a credit card or bank statement instead of an ID?

No. TSA requires a government-issued photo ID for standard screening. A credit card or bank statement can help during secondary verification if you have lost your ID, but they cannot replace an ID for normal boarding.

How long does secondary verification take at the airport?

Secondary verification typically takes 10 to 20 minutes, but it can take longer depending on how busy the airport is and how quickly TSA can confirm your identity. Arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights if you do not have an ID.

Is a passport card valid for domestic flights?

No. A passport card works only for land and sea travel. For domestic flights, you need a passport book, a standard driver's license, a military ID, a tribal ID, or another document from TSA's full list.