Traveling Domestically By Airplane Without A REAL ID or US Passport

JUNE 23, 2026

Domestic air travel in the United States currently requires a REAL ID-compliant document for passengers 18 and older. If you do not have a REAL ID, you can still fly by using an alternative form of identification or the TSA’s identity verification process. 

See www.tsa.gov for more info.

1. Use an Alternative Accepted ID 

A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license (marked with a star) is not your only option. You may use any of the following instead: 

• U.S. Passport or Passport Card
• DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Military ID (Active duty or retired military and their dependents)
• Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) (Issued by MI, MN, NY, VT, and WA; these are accepted even without a star)
• Permanent Resident Card
• Tribal Photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation 
• Defense Travel Management (.mil)
• Defense Travel Management (.mil)

2. TSA ConfirmID 

(For Travelers Without Proper ID) 

As of February 1, 2026, travelers who arrive at a checkpoint without a REAL ID or any of the alternatives listed above must use the TSA ConfirmID process. 

Requirements: You must complete an online form at Pay.gov and pay a $45 fee.

Process: You should bring the printed or electronic payment receipt to the checkpoint. TSA will attempt to verify your identity using public databases and biographic information.

Validity: Once paid, the verification is valid for a 10-day travel period, covering your return flight if it falls within that window.

Important Note: Paying the fee does not guarantee you will be allowed to fly; if TSA cannot verify your identity, you will be turned away.   See Pay.gov.

You can apply online at the following link: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1820857221 

3. Tips for Traveling Without a REAL ID

Arrive Early: The verification process can take an additional 30 minutes or more. TSA recommends arriving at least two hours before departure.

Bring Backup Documents: Even if they are not “official” IDs, items like credit cards, utility bills, or a birth certificate can help the TSA officer confirm your identity during the screening process.

Check Your Expiration Date: TSA accepts expired IDs for up to two years after the expiration date.

Minors: Children under 18 traveling domestically with an adult do not need a REAL ID or any form of identification. 

Defense Travel Management.

Acceptable Forms of ID

See full list at https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification

For adults over the age of 18:

• State-issued REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or identification cards
• If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles (or equivalent).
• A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification.
• State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID)
• Mobile Driver’s Licenses (mDLs): TSA accepts certain mDLs issued by states that have been approved for Federal use.
• The mDL must be based on a REAL ID, EDL, or EID.
• Approved states are listed at Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs | Transportation Security Administration
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

TSA is also accepting the following Digital Identification as a part of our ongoing testing efforts to strengthen identity security:

• Apple Digital ID
• Clear ID
• Google ID pass

No Real ID or Acceptable ID

Starting February 1, 2026, if you are unable to provide the required acceptable form of ID at a TSA checkpoint, you will have the option to pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID. TSA will then attempt to verify your identity so you can begin the airport security screening process. 

Don’t have an acceptable ID listed on this page? Visit https://www.tsa.gov/tsaconfirm-id and pay the $45 fee before heading to the airport to save time going through security.