Do I need a real ID to fly in 2023 on Southwest Airlines?
Beginning May 3, 2023, U.S. travelers flying within the United States will need to show Transportation Security Administration agents either a security-enhanced driver's license that's Real ID-compliant or another T.S.A.-approved form of identification like a passport.
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You do not need id to check in at Southwest. You need a confirmation number and your name. You can get that by logging in to your account or by referring to the e-mail that Southwest sent you when you completed the booking. If you don't know how to do that you can check in by using a credit card at the airport.
TSA will allow you to fly with an expired license or no license at all so if the paper isn't good enough you still have options. Just give yourself a little extra time to get through security.
Are you REAL ID ready? On May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must be REAL ID compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities. Find out if you're REAL ID ready with our interactive tool!
Beginning May 3, 2023, your driver's license will need to be REAL ID-compliant if you want to use it to fly within the U.S. It's part of a law passed by Congress.
If you only have an expired passport, you can still bring it along for domestic travel within the United States, but you must convince TSA officers that you are who you say you are. However, if you're traveling internationally, you must have a valid passport.
TSA will allow you to fly with an expired license or no license at all so if the paper isn't good enough you still have options. Just give yourself a little extra time to get through security.
Do you need a REAL ID? Beginning May 7, 2025, passengers who want to continue to use their driver license or ID card to board a domestic flight will need to show a federal compliant REAL ID driver license or ID card with a special marking.
The TSA officer may ask you to complete an identity verification process which includes collecting information such as your name, current address, and other personal information to confirm your identity. If your identity is confirmed, you will be allowed to enter the screening checkpoint.
Re: Airport Checkin Required? This usually occurs if you book a special fare such as a senior or child fare that requires age verification. I think it's also possible if all standard boarding positions have already been assigned and the system can't assign you a position.
Sharp, heavy, and other dangerous items are restricted on all commercial airline flights, including Southwest. Items such as sharp knives, bats, clubs, ski-poles, snow globes and most tools and weapons must be checked rather than packed in a carry-on. Explosives and fuels may not be carried by air at all.
Wear clothing and shoes without metal, and be ready to remove your belt if it has a metal buckle. Tuck large metal jewelry pieces into your carry-on bag before you go through the security checkpoint. Put change and keys into your carry-on or empty your pockets into a plastic bin when you arrive at the checkpoint.
Expired IDIf your driver's license or state-issued ID expired on or after March 1, 2020, and you are unable to renew at your state driver's license agency, you may still use it as acceptable identification at the checkpoint. TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration.
An expired passport can be used as a form of identification along with other documents to get through TSA when traveling domestically, but you won't get any where international with an expired passport.
It doesn't necessarily need to be your passport, which means you can fly domestically in the U.S. in 2023 without a valid passport for travel. If you don't have a passport, there are other acceptable forms of identification, including: U.S. passport card. State-issued driver's license.