Do You Need a Federal ID to Fly Domestically?

Yes. To board a domestic flight in the United States, every traveler 18 or older now needs a federally accepted ID at the TSA checkpoint: a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a U.S. passport, or one of a short list of other qualifying credentials. TSA began enforcing this on May 7, 2025, and a standard state license without the REAL ID marking no longer gets you through security.1Transportation Security Administration. REAL ID

How to Tell If Your License Already Qualifies

Look at the top of the card. A REAL ID-compliant license carries a gold or black star in the upper portion. Some non-compliant cards go further and print a notice stating they are not valid for federal purposes. If your license has neither the star nor a compliance marking you recognize, treat it as non-compliant and plan on a different credential for your next flight.

Other IDs TSA Accepts at the Checkpoint

A REAL ID license is one option, not the only one. If you already hold any of the following, you can skip the REAL ID process entirely:2Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint

  • U.S. passport or U.S. passport card.
  • U.S. Department of Defense ID, including cards issued to active-duty military, reservists, dependents, and DoD civilians.
  • DHS trusted traveler cards: Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST.
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). The Veterans ID Card used for retail discounts does not qualify.
  • Permanent Resident Card (green card).
  • Federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID or Enhanced Tribal Card.
  • Merchant Mariner Credential.

TSA’s list is the controlling one and it can change, so it’s worth a quick check before travel day.

Digital and Mobile Driver’s Licenses

TSA accepts mobile driver’s licenses and digital IDs at more than 250 checkpoints. Qualifying digital IDs can be stored in Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, or a participating state-issued app.3Transportation Security Administration. Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs

Two limits matter. The digital ID must be based on a REAL ID-compliant license or an Enhanced Driver’s License; a digital copy of a non-compliant license won’t work. And TSA treats digital IDs as a convenience, not a replacement, so carry the physical card as a backup in case a checkpoint isn’t equipped for digital verification.

Enhanced Driver’s Licenses

An Enhanced Driver’s License goes a step beyond REAL ID. It carries an RFID chip and a machine-readable zone and doubles as a travel document for entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea. A standard REAL ID doesn’t do that.4Homeland Security. Enhanced Drivers Licenses: What Are They?

Only five states issue EDLs: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. An EDL will not substitute for a passport book on international air travel.

If You Arrive Without an Accepted ID

Starting February 1, 2026, TSA rolled out ConfirmID, a paid option for travelers who show up at the airport without a qualifying credential. The fee is $45 and covers a 10-day travel window from the date you select at payment.5Transportation Security Administration. TSA ConfirmID

TSA recommends paying in advance through Pay.gov, which accepts bank accounts, debit and credit cards, Venmo, and PayPal. You can also pay at marked locations near the checkpoint at most airports, but that route takes longer. Identity verification averages 10 to 15 minutes and can run past 30, so missed flights are a real risk.6Transportation Security Administration. About TSA ConfirmID Treat ConfirmID as a safety net, not a plan.

Documents You Need to Get a REAL ID

Federal law sets the floor for what a state must verify before issuing a REAL ID:7U.S. Government Publishing Office. 49 USC Subtitle VI Part A Chapter 303 – REAL ID Act

  • Identity and date of birth: a valid passport or certified birth certificate.
  • Social Security number: your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub showing the full SSN. If you’re ineligible for an SSN, documentation of that status.
  • Principal residence address: a document showing your name and current home address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or mortgage document.
  • Lawful status, if you’re not a U.S. citizen: a permanent resident card, employment authorization document, or similar credential.

Many states go beyond the federal minimum, and it’s common to require two separate address documents rather than one.8USAGov. How to Get a REAL ID and Use It for Travel Check your state motor vehicle agency’s exact checklist before you go.

Name Changes

Your name has to match across every document you present. If your birth certificate shows a maiden name and your Social Security card shows a married name, bring the connecting document: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. Each name change in the chain needs its own bridge document. Sorting this out ahead of your appointment prevents the most common reason people get turned away at the counter.

The Application Itself

You must apply in person at your state’s licensing agency. There is no fully online path because staff need to inspect original documents and take a new photograph.9U.S. Government Publishing Office. REAL ID Act of 2005 Many states offer an online pre-application to fill in your information beforehand and shorten the visit.

At the appointment, your documents are digitally scanned and a new photo is taken. Fees vary. Most states issue a temporary paper permit for immediate use and mail the permanent card separately.

Children

Travelers under 18 do not need ID for domestic flights, whether they’re with an adult or flying alone. The adult companion still needs an accepted ID to clear the checkpoint.2Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint

One exception: an unaccompanied minor eligible for TSA PreCheck needs an accepted ID to receive expedited screening. Without one, they go through standard screening and can still fly.10Transportation Security Administration. Do Minors Need Identification to Fly Within the U.S.? Airlines can also set their own check-in rules for unaccompanied minors, so contact the carrier before travel day.

Non-U.S. Citizens

Lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and other individuals with valid immigration status can obtain a REAL ID, but the card’s validity is tied to the length of authorized stay. If your status has no definite end date, states typically issue a one-year credential that must be renewed. States verify immigration status with the issuing federal agency before approval.9U.S. Government Publishing Office. REAL ID Act of 2005

A valid permanent resident card, employment authorization document, or foreign passport can serve as your checkpoint ID on its own, so a REAL ID license isn’t strictly necessary to fly. The practical question is which credential is easiest to keep current given your situation.