What ID is needed to fly in the US in 2023?

You can use a current U.S. passport or a U.S. military ID at the airport to get through TSA security after May 3, 2023, just like you can right now. Just remember to bring it. Having a REAL ID-compliant driver's license is convenient for many of us because it's something we always carry with us.



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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!

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Domestic Flights. All travelers flying on a domestic flight must present a valid (unexpired) photo ID issued by the state or federal government. Undocumented individuals may use the following forms of ID accepted by TSA: State photo identity card.

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The U.S. passport book and U.S. passport card are both accepted as ID for domestic flights. You may not have heard about the U.S. passport card before. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel, but it is still a great ID to have in your wallet.

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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.

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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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Best Places to Travel Without a US Passport Puerto Rico. US Virgin Islands. Northern Mariana Islands. American Samoa.

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As a general rule, passports must be valid for six months beyond the date the traveler will exit the United States. However, the United States has signed agreements with a number of countries to waive this requirement.

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In the United States, you need a valid U.S. government-issued photo ID or a passport from your country of origin to travel through security. You must show that the name on your boarding pass matches the legal name on your unexpired government-issued ID.

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Travel Documents and Information
  1. Valid photo identification. ...
  2. Travel tickets (plane, train, bus; can be paper or electronic copies)
  3. Boarding passes.
  4. Reservation confirmations (rental car, hotel, pre-paid tickets for events; can be paper or electronic copies)
  5. Credit and debit cards. ...
  6. Cash.
  7. Emergency contact list.


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TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration. DHS has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025.

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