What documents do I need at the airport?

Identification
  • Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  • 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.




People Also Ask

Identification
  • Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  • 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.


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Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.

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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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In the event you arrive at the airport without proper ID, because it is lost or at home, you may still be allowed to fly. By providing additional information, TSA has other ways to confirm your identity, like using publicly available databases, so you can reach your flight.

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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.

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Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a state-issued REAL ID-compliant license or identification card, or another acceptable form of ID (such as a passport), to fly within the United States.

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All travelers, including TSA PreCheck® enrollees, must have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification (e.g., passport) in order to fly once TSA is enforcing the REAL ID requirement at airports. To obtain a REAL ID, contact your state's driver's licensing agency.

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Depending on the requirements of airport authorities, you will need to present a mobile boarding pass, a paper boarding pass printed out by you or a paper boarding pass picked up from the check-in desk.

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Best advice for first-time flyers
  • Check the airline's luggage requirements.
  • Pack essentials in your carry-on.
  • Arrive at the airport two hours early.
  • Keep your ID handy.
  • Wear easy-to-remove shoes.
  • Respect other passengers' space.
  • Have a backup plan ready.


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Depending on the requirements of airport authorities, you will need to present a mobile boarding pass, a paper boarding pass printed out by you or a paper boarding pass picked up from the check-in desk.

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Anything Metal
Metal jewelry and piercings can set off the metal detector. Likewise, belt buckles can easily cause issues, and most TSA rules and regulations require you to remove them anyway.

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How to find your way around an airport
  • Arrive in the right spot — and at the right time. Follow the signs at your respective airport to make sure you find the correct terminal building for your flight. ...
  • Check in. ...
  • Go through the security checkpoint. ...
  • Find your gate. ...
  • Wait at the gate. ...
  • Board the airplane. ...
  • Retrieve your luggage.


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A passport that has expired is not accepted for overseas travel. If your passport has expired or will expire within the next six months, you must renew it.

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Digital Identification Download a TSA approved digital ID app to your mobile device. Scan in your state-issued driver's license or state ID. At select TSA PreCheck® checkpoints, scan the app issued QR code. Your photo will be taken by the TSA reader at security to proceed to screening.

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