Yes, in 2026, you absolutely need a valid government-issued photo ID to check a bag at the airport. This is a non-negotiable security requirement for both domestic and international flights. When you arrive at the check-in counter or the "Self-Service Bag Drop" kiosk, you must present an ID that matches the name on your boarding pass. For domestic travel within the United States, this must be a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a state-issued ID, or a passport. For international travel, your passport is the only acceptable form of ID for the bag-drop process. The airline agent must verify your identity to ensure that the "Positive Passenger Bag Match" (PPBM) protocols are followed—a safety measure that ensures a checked bag does not fly unless the passenger who checked it is also on the aircraft. In 2026, many airports have introduced biometric bag drops where a facial scan replaces the physical ID check, but you are still required to have your physical ID on your person for the security checkpoint and boarding gate. If you lose your ID, you may be able to check a bag after a secondary, lengthy identity verification process, but this is at the airline's discretion and can cause significant delays.