What happens if an ID is left behind at a checkpoint? TSA works with the airport to reunite passengers with all lost or unclaimed personal property, including personal identification items such as drivers' licenses and passports, left behind at a checkpoint. If the ID is not claimed within 30 days, it is destroyed.

If you leave an item at a TSA checkpoint in 2026, it is turned over to the airport's Lost and Found department or retained by the TSA for a minimum of 30 days. Unclaimed electronics like laptops and tablets are wiped of all personal memory or destroyed after this period to protect passenger data. If you realize you've forgotten an item, your first step should be to check the TSA's official website for the specific contact number of that airport's security Lost and Found. Most 2026 airports also use digital platforms like Hallmark or Chargerback where you can file an online claim. If the item is found, you can either return to the airport to pick it up or pay for a courier service (at your expense) to have it shipped to your home. Items not claimed after 30 days are often sold by the state as excess property or donated to charities, with proceeds going to the U.S. Treasury.