REAL ID and Acceptable ID at TSA: What You Need to Fly
What ID gets you through a US airport checkpoint, from the TSA lists.
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The REAL ID Act of 2005 set federal standards for licenses and ID cards. Since May 7, 2025, TSA says anyone 18 or older flying domestically needs a REAL ID or another acceptable ID. Standard licenses that are not REAL ID compliant are no longer accepted.
Acceptable IDs (TSA list)
- State REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or ID card
- State Enhanced Driver’s License or Enhanced ID
- Approved mobile driver’s licenses based on a REAL ID, EDL or EID
- U.S. passport or passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards: Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including dependents
- Permanent resident card or border crossing card
- Photo ID from a federally recognized Tribal Nation
- HSPD-12 PIV card, TWIC, Merchant Mariner Credential, Veteran Health ID Card
- Foreign government passport, Canadian provincial license, USCIS Employment Authorization Card
TSA says a temporary driver’s license is not acceptable, and the list can change without notice.
Expired ID, kids, and no ID
- Expired: accepted up to two years past expiration.
- Children under 18: no ID needed for domestic travel.
- No acceptable ID: from February 1, 2026, you can pay $45 for TSA ConfirmID, and TSA will try to verify who you are.
Want faster screening once you have ID? See our TSA PreCheck guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a REAL ID to fly?
Travelers 18 and older need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable ID, such as a passport, to fly domestically since May 7, 2025.
Does TSA accept expired ID?
TSA says it accepts listed IDs up to two years after expiration.
Do kids need ID?
TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID for travel within the US.
What if I forget my ID?
Since February 1, 2026, TSA offers TSA ConfirmID for a $45 fee to try to verify your identity.
