The documents and items you must have to fly

To board a domestic flight in the United States, you need a government-issued photo ID and your boarding pass. That is the hard requirement. A driver's license, passport, or state ID card will work. Without one of these, the TSA officer at the checkpoint will not let you through, and you will not reach your gate.

For international flights, the rules change. You must have a valid passport — a driver's license is not enough. Some countries also require a visa, which is a separate document your passport does not include. Check the entry rules for your destination country at least two weeks before you travel, because visa processing can take weeks or months.

Your airline also needs proof that you bought a ticket. This comes as a boarding pass, which you can get on your phone, print at home, or print at the airport. Most airlines let you check in online 24 hours before departure, which is faster than the airport line.

Key Takeaways

  • Domestic flights require a government photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and a boarding pass; without the ID, TSA will turn you away at security.
  • International flights require a valid passport and possibly a visa, which you must research and obtain before your trip — some countries take weeks to issue one.
  • Your boarding pass can be digital on your phone or printed; most airlines let you check in online 24 hours before departure.
  • Arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight to allow time for security, check-in, and unexpected delays.
  • TSA has rules about what you can carry in your carry-on bag and checked luggage; liquids in carry-on bags are limited to 3.4 ounces per container.

What your ID must show and why TSA checks it

The TSA officer at the security checkpoint will compare your face to your ID photo and your name to your boarding pass. The ID must not be expired — an expired license or passport will be rejected, even if you have only been expired for one day. If your name on your ID does not match your boarding pass exactly, you may be held up or denied boarding.

If your name has changed since your ID was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — bring a second document that shows both your old name and your new name. This can be a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The airline and TSA both need to see that the person on the ID is the same person on the boarding pass.

If you do not have a standard ID, you have other options. A passport card (the small wallet-sized version) works for domestic flights. A military ID works. A tribal ID issued by a federally recognized tribe works. A passport works for any flight. If you have none of these, you can still fly domestically, but you will go through additional screening — TSA calls this secondary verification — which takes longer and is more thorough.

Boarding passes and how to get one before you arrive

Your boarding pass is your proof of purchase and your ticket onto the plane. It shows your name, flight number, gate (once it is assigned), and seat number. You can get one three ways: online check-in, at an airport kiosk, or at the airline counter.

Online check-in opens 24 hours before your flight and is the fastest route. Go to your airline's website or app, enter your confirmation number and last name, and read or screenshot your boarding pass. You can do this from home on your phone. Most airlines let you board with just the digital pass on your phone screen — you do not have to print it.

If you miss online check-in, you can use a self-service kiosk at the airport. These are in the ticketing area and take about two minutes. You scan your ID, confirm your flight, and print your pass. If you have checked luggage, you will need to go to the counter anyway to tag your bags, so you might as well check in there.

The airline counter is the slowest option, especially on busy travel days. Lines can be 30 minutes or longer. Use it only if you have checked bags, need to change your flight, or have a question the kiosk cannot answer.

TSA rules for what goes in your carry-on and checked bags

The TSA has a list of items you cannot bring through security in your carry-on bag. The most common restriction is liquids, gels, and aerosols. Each container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller, and all containers must fit in a single quart-sized clear plastic bag. This includes shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, sunscreen, peanut butter, yogurt, and jam.

Sharp objects like knives, box cutters, and ice picks are banned from carry-on bags but allowed in checked luggage. Tools longer than 7 inches are banned from carry-on. Lighters and torch lighters are banned entirely. Firearms and ammunition are allowed in checked bags only, and you must declare them to the airline before you check in — do not just put them in your bag and hope.

Checked bags have fewer restrictions because they are not in the cabin with you. You can pack liquids, tools, and most other items in checked luggage. However, some items are banned from checked bags too: lithium batteries in large quantities, certain types of flares, and some chemicals. If you are packing something unusual, check the TSA website or call your airline before you pack.

The TSA has a searchable tool called "What Can I Bring?" on their website where you can type in an item and see whether it is allowed in carry-on, checked, or both.

Passports and visas for international travel

A passport is a booklet issued by the U.S. State Department that proves your citizenship and identity to other countries. You explore for one at a post office, courthouse, or passport acceptance facility. Processing takes four to six weeks for a regular passport and one to two weeks for expedited service (which costs extra). If you need one urgently, some locations offer same-day service, but availability varies by location.

Your passport must be valid for the entire length of your trip. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months after you leave — check your destination's entry rules before you explore. A passport that expires while you are traveling can strand you.

A visa is a separate document or stamp that a country puts in your passport to say you are allowed to enter. Not all countries require visas for U.S. citizens. Many European countries, Canada, and Mexico do not. But China, India, Russia, and many others do. The processing time and cost vary wildly — some visas take a few days and cost $20, others take weeks and cost $200 or more. Research your destination at least six weeks before you travel so you have time to explore.

How early to arrive and what to expect at security

Arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and at least three hours before an international flight. This gives you time to check in, go through security, and reach your gate without rushing. On busy travel days — holidays, summer weekends, early morning flights — arrive even earlier. If you are checking bags, add another 15 to 30 minutes.

At security, you will remove your shoes, belt, and jacket, and place them in a bin along with your phone, keys, and wallet. Laptops and large electronics must come out of your bag. Your quart-sized bag of liquids goes in the bin too. Walk through the metal detector or body scanner. If you are flagged, a TSA officer will pat you down or use a handheld scanner. The whole process usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, but can be longer during peak hours.

Once you clear security, you are in the find area. You can walk to your gate, buy food, or shop. Your boarding pass will show your gate number, but gates sometimes change — check the monitors near your gate or your airline's app before boarding starts.

Special situations: traveling with children, pets, and medical equipment

Children under 18 do not need their own ID for domestic flights if they are traveling with an adult who has ID. The adult's ID is enough. For international flights, children need their own passport.

Pets can fly, but rules vary by airline. Most allow one small pet in the cabin for a fee (usually $100 to $150 each way). Larger pets go in the cargo hold. You will need a pet carrier that fits under the seat, a health certificate from your vet dated within 10 days of travel, and proof of vaccinations. Book your pet's spot when you buy your ticket — airlines limit the number of pets per flight.

Medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen tanks, and CPAP machines are allowed on planes. Notify your airline when you book so they can arrange information. Medications in their original labeled containers are allowed in carry-on and checked bags. Syringes and lancets are allowed if they are with medication or a meter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly with an expired ID if I have another form of ID?

No. TSA requires a valid, non-expired government photo ID. An expired ID will be rejected even if you have other documents. If your ID is expired, renew it before your flight. Most states offer expedited renewal for a fee.

What if my name on my boarding pass does not match my ID exactly?

Contact your airline when ready. Bring documents that show the connection between both names — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The airline can sometimes reissue your boarding pass with the correct name, but this must happen before you reach the gate.

Can I bring a full-size bottle of shampoo in my checked bag?

Yes. Liquids are restricted only in carry-on bags. You can pack full-size bottles of shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, and other liquids in your checked luggage with no size limit. Make sure the bottles are sealed and will not leak onto your clothes.

Do I need a passport for a flight to Puerto Rico or Hawaii?

No. Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are U.S. territories. A domestic ID like a driver's license is enough. You do not need a passport.

What happens if I arrive at the airport without my ID?

TSA will not let you through security without ID. You can ask to speak to a supervisor, who may allow secondary verification — a more thorough screening that includes questions about your identity and background. This takes much longer and is not may provide to work. Do not rely on it. Bring your ID.