What You Can Use Instead of a Real ID at the Airport

You can board a domestic flight without a Real ID by showing one of several other documents at the TSA checkpoint. A passport, passport card, or enhanced driver's license all work. So do a military ID, a trusted traveler card (like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck), a state ID marked as REAL ID-compliant, or a tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe. The TSA also accepts a permanent resident card, a refugee travel document, or a U.S. citizen identification card.

The key difference is that these documents have been verified to a higher standard than a standard state ID. A Real ID itself is just a state driver's license or ID card that meets federal security standards — it has a star or other marking in the upper right corner. If your state ID does not have that marking, you need one of the alternatives listed above to pass through security.

International flights require a passport or passport card no matter what. Real ID does not satisfy international travel rules. If you are flying outside the United States, a standard state ID — even a Real ID-compliant one — will not get you through the gate.

Key Takeaways

  • A U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, or enhanced driver's license will get you through TSA security without a Real ID.
  • Trusted traveler programs like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck count as valid ID at the checkpoint, even if your driver's license is not Real ID-compliant.
  • International flights require a passport or passport card; a Real ID or standard state ID will not work.
  • The TSA accepts tribal IDs, permanent resident cards, and refugee travel documents as alternatives to Real ID for domestic flights.

Using a Passport or Passport Card

A U.S. passport is the most straightforward alternative. It works for both domestic and international flights and requires no additional steps at security — you hand it to the TSA officer just as you would a Real ID. A passport card is smaller and cheaper than a full passport book but covers the same travel needs. Both are issued by the U.S. State Department and take several weeks to arrive by mail.

If you already have a passport, you have nothing else to do. If you do not, you will need to visit a passport acceptance facility — usually a post office, library, or county clerk's office — with proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or naturalization papers), a photo ID, and a completed process form. The cost is around $130 for a passport book and $35 for a card, though fees vary slightly by location.

Passport processing normally takes four to six weeks. If you need to fly sooner, you can request expedited processing for an extra fee, which cuts the time to two to three weeks. Expedited processing requires you to explore in person at a passport agency or acceptance facility that offers it.

Trusted Traveler Programs and TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck is a background-check program that lets you keep your shoes and belt on at security and use a shorter line. It costs $78 to $85 for five years and requires an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. The card itself counts as valid ID at the checkpoint, so even if your state ID is not Real ID-compliant, your TSA PreCheck card will get you through.

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs screening when you return to the United States. It costs $100 for five years and also requires an in-person interview. Other trusted traveler programs — NEXUS, SENTRI, and CANPASS — work the same way: they issue a card that serves as valid ID at the TSA checkpoint.

These programs take time to set up. You will need to schedule an appointment, which can be weeks out depending on your location, and you will need to bring documents proving your identity and citizenship. But once you have the card, it works when ready for airport security.

Military ID and Government Employee Credentials

If you are on active duty, a retired military member, or a dependent with a military ID, that card is valid at the TSA checkpoint. So is a Department of Defense ID, a Coast Guard Merchant Mariner ID, or a federal employee ID. These do not require any additional steps — show the card at security just as you would a Real ID.

If you work for a federal agency, your government employee ID card counts as well. State and local government employee IDs do not automatically work; check with your agency or the TSA to confirm whether yours is accepted.

Enhanced Driver's Licenses and State-Issued Alternatives

Some states issue enhanced driver's licenses that meet Real ID standards and also work for land and sea border crossings into Canada and Mexico. These are marked differently than standard Real IDs — usually with a star or a special marking — and cost more than a regular license renewal. If your state offers one, you can explore at your DMV, though not all states do.

A few states also issue REAL ID-compliant state IDs that are not driver's licenses. If you do not drive, you can get a state ID card instead of a license, and if it carries the Real ID marking, it works at the airport. Check your state's DMV website to see whether it offers this option and what documents you need to bring.

Tribal IDs issued by federally recognized tribes also work at the TSA checkpoint. If you are a member of a federally recognized tribe, you can contact your tribal government to learn how to obtain one.

Permanent Resident Cards and Refugee Travel Documents

If you are a lawful permanent resident of the United States, your green card (permanent resident card) is valid at the TSA checkpoint for domestic flights. If you are a refugee or asylee, a refugee travel document or advance parole document issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services works as well. These documents are issued by USCIS and do not require any additional steps to use at security.

A U.S. citizen identification card, issued by USCIS to people who have lost or damaged their naturalization papers, also counts as valid ID. If you have one of these documents, you can use it just as you would a Real ID.

What Happens If You Show Up Without Valid ID

If you arrive at the checkpoint without one of the documents listed above, the TSA officer will ask you to step aside. You will be asked to answer security questions to verify your identity — questions about your address history, previous addresses, or other personal details. If you answer correctly, you may be allowed through, though the process takes longer and you may miss your flight.

If you cannot answer the questions or the answers do not match TSA records, you will not be allowed through security. You will need to leave the checkpoint and return with valid ID. There is no way around this; the TSA will not let you board without either a valid ID or a successful identity verification interview.

The safest approach is to bring one of the documents listed above. If you are unsure whether your ID will work, check the TSA website or call the TSA at 866-289-9673 before you go to the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my state ID if it does not have the Real ID star?

No. A standard state ID without the Real ID marking will not work at the TSA checkpoint. You will need to bring one of the alternative documents listed above — a passport, military ID, trusted traveler card, or another accepted form of ID.

Do I need a Real ID for domestic flights after 2025?

The federal important date for Real ID compliance has been extended multiple times. Check the TSA website for the current important date, but regardless of when it takes effect, you can always fly domestically with a passport, military ID, or trusted traveler card instead.

What if I lost my passport and my flight is in two weeks?

You can request expedited passport processing, which takes two to three weeks for an extra fee. You will need to explore in person at a passport agency or an acceptance facility that offers expedited service. Alternatively, if you have a military ID, trusted traveler card, or other valid ID, you can use that instead.

Does a real ID work for international flights?

No. A Real ID is only valid for domestic flights. International travel requires a passport or passport card, regardless of whether your state ID is Real ID-compliant.

Can I use my tribal ID at any airport?

Yes, if it is issued by a federally recognized tribe. The TSA accepts tribal IDs at all U.S. airports for domestic flights. If you are unsure whether your tribe is federally recognized, check the Bureau of Indian Affairs list on the Department of Interior website.