How do you prove your identity at the airport?

Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.
  1. Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  2. U.S. passport.
  3. U.S. passport card.
  4. DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)




As of February 1, 2026, identity verification at U.S. airports has become more digital and strict. The primary way to prove your identity is a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or a valid Passport. If you are in one of the many states that now support "Digital IDs," you can often prove your identity by tapping your iPhone or Android device at the TSA PreCheck "CAT-2" scanners, which use biometric face-matching technology to compare your live image with the ID on file. For travelers who lose their ID or don't have a REAL ID, the TSA has introduced TSA ConfirmID in 2026, a $45 optional service where officers use third-party databases to verify your identity through a series of questions. However, this process can take up to 30 minutes and involves additional physical screening. To avoid delays, carrying a physical, government-issued photo ID remains the most reliable method for 2026 travel.

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TSA accepts several forms of ID, including a passport or a passport card; a trusted traveler card, such as Global Entry or Nexus; and a Defense Department ID. Also on TSA's approved list: tribal IDs, foreign passports, Veteran Health Identification cards and even Merchant Mariner credentials.

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Here are some alternative documents to try if you lost your driver's license:
  • 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.


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The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, requires US travelers flying domestically to show TSA agents either a security-enhanced driver's license or ID card or another TSA-approved form of identification, such as a passport.

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Add your state-issued eligible driver's license or identification card to your phone's digital wallet. Present your ID at select TSA PreCheck® checkpoints by tapping your phone or linked device. Your photo will be take by the TSA reader at security to proceed to screening.

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They are typically not running warrant checks on everyone that comes through the airport. Still, there are numerous security guidelines and regulations that must be followed. If you break the rules, you could get in trouble with the police, and they will probably find out about your warrants.

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A passport is an acceptable form of identification and may be used in lieu of a REAL ID Drivers License or ID to board domestic flights and visit federal facilities.

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Bring a photocopy or a digital scan of an acceptable form of ID and show this to the TSA officer (if it's a digital scan, keep it somewhere secure, like a private Dropbox or another cloud-based account).

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As of March 2023, there are no states that require passports from U.S. citizens to fly domestically. Your airline or the TSA should never ask you to present a valid passport. Of course, you could carry it with you for additional photo identification in case you lose your other forms of ID.

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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.

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Come prepared with additional forms of identification (credit card, photo business card, student ID, even mail or prescription medication with your name and address). Once the airline representative is satisfied that you are who you say you are, they will issue a boarding pass with a note that you don't have an ID.

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You cannot travel under a different name. Under the TSA's rules, the name on your boarding pass must match your government-issued ID. However, if you're missing your middle name on your boarding pass, it shouldn't be an issue.

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It is usually easy to get an escort pass. Simply go with your relative or friend to the check-in counter, request a pass, and present your photo ID. You can call ahead to get escort pass information, but you will probably be told that issuance of escort passes is determined locally by each airline.

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TSA rules say the name on the boarding pass must exactly match the passenger's government-issued ID presented at the security checkpoint. When booking, “use the form of your name that is on the photo ID that you will show at the airport,” the Department of Transportation advises.

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Absolutely not. A passport must be physically presented. It's originality is checked at the immigration of destination countries as also the VISA stamps.

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Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

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2. What to pack in a carry on for an international flight
  1. All travel documents (passport, visa, etc.) ...
  2. Small toiletries that you'll need for a long haul—think toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant at least.
  3. Any medications needed abroad, stored in their original containers.


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If you have your expired passport you could use that, along with other ID that identifies you as a Canadian, like a birth certificate, SIN card. By Air - you need a passport. Best to contact CBSA directly for official info.

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