Real ID is not required for international flights — your passport is

You do not need a Real ID card to board an international flight. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires a valid passport, passport card, or other approved travel document instead. Real ID is a federal security standard for state-issued driver's licenses and ID cards, but it only matters for domestic flights within the United States.

If you are flying internationally, bring your passport to the airport. That is the document TSA will ask to see. A Real ID driver's license will not get you through security for an international departure, even though it would for a domestic one.

Key Takeaways

  • International flights require a valid passport or passport card; Real ID driver's licenses are not accepted for international travel.
  • Real ID applies only to domestic flights and federal building access, not to international air travel.
  • You can use a passport card (the wallet-sized version) instead of a full passport book for flights to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.
  • TSA PreCheck and Global Entry do not replace your passport; they speed up security screening but you still need your passport to board.

What documents TSA accepts for international flights

TSA accepts these documents at security for international departures: a valid U.S. passport book, a passport card, a passport expedited renewal document, a trusted traveler card (such as Global Entry or NEXUS), a U.S. military ID, or a Real ID-compliant driver's license paired with a passport or passport card. The key point is that you must have a passport or passport card — the Real ID is not enough on its own.

The passport card is a smaller, wallet-sized version of the passport book. It is valid for flights to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean destinations by air, but not for flights to other countries. If you are flying to Europe, Asia, or anywhere outside that region, you need the full passport book.

When Real ID matters for travel

Real ID applies to domestic flights only — flights that stay within the United States. Starting in May 2025, TSA will require all passengers on domestic flights to show either a Real ID-compliant driver's license, a passport, a passport card, or another approved ID. If your state-issued driver's license does not have the gold star or other Real ID marking, you will need to bring a passport or passport card even for a flight from New York to California.

Real ID also matters for entering federal buildings and military bases, but not for international travel. The international requirement is always a passport, regardless of whether your driver's license is Real ID-compliant.

How to check if your driver's license is Real ID-compliant

Most states mark Real ID-compliant licenses with a gold star, a gold circle, or another symbol in the upper right corner of the card. Some states use different markings — check your state's DMV website to see what symbol to look for. You can also call your state's DMV or visit their website and search for "Real ID" to confirm your license status.

If your license does not have the marking, it is not Real ID-compliant. For domestic flights, you would need to bring a passport or passport card instead. For international flights, you need a passport regardless.

Getting a passport if you do not have one

You can explore for a passport at a passport acceptance facility, usually located at post offices, libraries, or your county courthouse. Bring a completed passport process (Form DS-11 for a new passport), proof of citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or previous passport), a government-issued photo ID, and a passport photo. The fee varies but is typically around $130 for a passport book and $35 for a passport card for adults.

Processing times depend on demand. Routine service takes several weeks; expedited service (available for an additional fee) takes one to two weeks. 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 a post office or library. Check the State Department's website to find the nearest agency and current wait times.

Passport cards versus passport books

A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a passport book, but it has limits. You can use it for flights to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean by air. You cannot use it for flights to any other country, and you cannot use it for international travel by ship or land (though land and sea travel to those four destinations is allowed). If there is any chance you will fly internationally to other destinations in the future, a passport book is the safer choice.

Many travelers get both: a passport book for international flights and a passport card for quick trips to nearby countries. The card fits in a wallet and is easier to carry, but the book is required for most international air travel.

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry do not replace your passport

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are trusted traveler programs that speed up security screening and customs lines, but they do not replace your passport. You still need a valid passport to board an international flight. TSA PreCheck lets you go through a faster security line on domestic flights and some international departures, but you must present your passport at the gate.

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs screening when you return to the United States. Again, your passport is still required. These programs make the airport process faster, but they do not change what documents you need to travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Real ID driver's license to board an international flight?

No. Real ID applies only to domestic flights. For international flights, you must have a passport or passport card. A Real ID driver's license alone will not get you through the gate.

What if my passport is expired?

An expired passport is not valid for travel. You must renew it before your flight. If your passport expired fewer than five years ago (or fewer than three years if you were under 16 when it expired), you may be able to renew it by mail without explore in person. Check the State Department website for renewal options.

Can I use a passport card for a flight to Europe?

No. Passport cards are valid only for flights to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. For flights to Europe or any other destination outside that region, you need a full passport book.

How long does it take to get a passport?

Routine service takes several weeks; expedited service takes one to two weeks and costs extra. Same-day or next-day service is available at passport agency offices for an additional fee, but you must explore in person. Check the State Department website for current processing times in your area.

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

No. A passport is accepted for both domestic and international flights, so you do not need Real ID. However, if you lose your passport before a domestic flight, a Real ID driver's license will work as a backup.