You do not need a federal ID to fly domestically, but you do need some form of government-issued photo ID

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires a photo ID at the airport checkpoint, but that ID does not have to be a federal document. A state driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID all work. If you arrive at security without any of these, TSA can use other documents to verify your identity — it takes longer and may delay your flight, but you can still board.

The confusion often comes from the REAL ID Act, a federal law passed in 2005. Many people think it means you need a federal ID to fly. It does not. What it means is that your state ID or driver's license must meet certain security standards set by the federal government. Most states updated their licenses years ago to comply. You can check whether your state's ID is REAL ID compliant by looking at your card — compliant IDs have a star or other marking in the upper right corner.

Key Takeaways

  • A state driver's license or state ID card is sufficient for domestic flights; you do not need a passport or federal ID.
  • Your ID must be government-issued and include a photo, but it can come from your state, not the federal government.
  • If your state ID is not REAL ID compliant, you can still fly domestically by bringing an alternative document like a passport or military ID.
  • TSA can verify your identity using documents other than photo ID if you arrive at security without one, though the process takes extra time.
  • International flights require a passport, which is a federal document, but domestic flights do not.

What counts as acceptable ID for domestic flights

TSA maintains a list of documents that work at the checkpoint. The most common are a state driver's license, a state-issued ID card, a U.S. passport, a passport card, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a permanent resident card. All of these are photo IDs issued by a government body — state or federal — and that is what matters.

If your state driver's license or ID card has a star in the upper right corner, it is REAL ID compliant and meets federal standards. If it does not have a star, your state has not yet updated it to the federal standard. You can still use it to fly domestically, but you may also bring a passport, military ID, or other federal document as a backup. TSA will accept either one.

Expired IDs are generally not accepted, with one exception: military IDs can be expired and still work. For all other documents, the expiration date matters. If your driver's license or state ID expired, you will need to bring a different document to the checkpoint.

What happens if you show up without ID

You can still board a domestic flight without a photo ID, but TSA will use additional steps to verify who you are. An officer will ask you questions about your identity — your address, date of birth, the name on your ticket — and may ask you to provide other documents that help confirm your identity, such as a credit card, a Social Security card, or a bank statement with your name and address on it.

This process is called Alternative Identity Verification and it adds time to your checkpoint experience. You should arrive at the airport earlier than usual if you do not have a photo ID. TSA recommends arriving two to three hours early for a domestic flight under normal circumstances; without ID, plan for extra time on top of that.

If TSA cannot verify your identity to their satisfaction, you will not be cleared to board. This is rare, but it can happen if the information you provide does not match the name on your ticket or if you cannot provide supporting documents.

REAL ID compliance and what it actually means

The REAL ID Act set federal standards for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards. These standards include things like how the ID is made, what security features it must have, and what documents a state must check before issuing one. The goal was to make state IDs harder to counterfeit and to may support consistent security across all states.

Starting in 2025, TSA will only accept REAL ID-compliant state driver's licenses and ID cards for domestic flights. If your state ID does not have the star marking and your state has not upgraded to REAL ID compliance, you will need to bring a passport, military ID, or other federal document instead. However, you can still fly — you just cannot use a non-compliant state ID as your primary document.

You can find out whether your state's ID is REAL ID compliant by visiting the Department of Homeland Security website or by checking your local DMV. Most states completed the upgrade years ago, but a few states are still in the process. If you are unsure, bring a passport as a backup.

International flights and passport requirements

If you are flying outside the United States, you will need a passport. A state driver's license or ID card does not work for international travel, even to Canada or Mexico. A passport is a federal document issued by the U.S. State Department, and it is the only document that proves your citizenship and identity to foreign countries.

Passport cards are smaller than full passports and work for travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by land or sea, but not by air. If you are flying internationally, you need a full passport book. Getting a passport takes several weeks, so plan ahead if you have an international trip coming up.

State ID cards versus driver's licenses

A state ID card and a state driver's license are equally acceptable at the TSA checkpoint. The only difference is that a driver's license proves you are licensed to drive, while an ID card does not. For flying purposes, TSA treats them the same way. If you do not drive and do not have a driver's license, you can get a state ID card from your DMV instead.

Both documents must be current and not expired. Both must be government-issued and include a photo. If your state has upgraded to REAL ID compliance, both will have the star marking. If you have either one, you have what you need to fly domestically.

Military and tribal IDs

A military ID works at the TSA checkpoint even if it is expired, which is unusual — most other IDs must be current. This applies to active-duty military, retirees, and dependents with military ID cards. A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe also works for domestic flights.

If you have a military ID or tribal ID, you do not need to worry about REAL ID compliance or expiration dates. These documents are accepted as-is. If you do not have one of these and do not have a current state driver's license or passport, a state ID card from your DMV is your next option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly with an expired driver's license?

No, TSA will not accept an expired driver's license for domestic flights. You will need to bring a current ID or use the Alternative Identity Verification process, which requires additional documents and time. Military IDs are the only exception — they can be expired and still work.

Do I need a passport to fly within the United States?

No. A passport is not required for domestic flights. A state driver's license, state ID card, or military ID is sufficient. You only need a passport if you are flying outside the United States.

What if my state hasn't updated to REAL ID yet?

You can still fly domestically. Bring your non-compliant state ID along with a passport, military ID, or other federal document. TSA will accept the federal document. Check your state DMV website to see whether your state is REAL ID compliant — most states completed the upgrade already.

Can I use a school ID or work ID to fly?

No. TSA requires a government-issued photo ID. School IDs and work IDs do not count, even if they have a photo. You need an ID issued by a state or federal government body.

How long does Alternative Identity Verification take?

It varies, but plan for an extra 15 to 30 minutes at the checkpoint. TSA will ask you questions and may request supporting documents like a credit card or bank statement. Arrive at the airport earlier than usual if you do not have a photo ID.