A guide to ID requirements for TSA checkpoints
Quick insights
- Most travelers must present a valid ID when passing through airport screening checkpoints.
- Generally accepted forms of ID include a driver’s license, passport, State-Issued ID card and permanent resident card.
- Those without proper ID may be subject to additional screening.
Flying through airport lines and security screenings can sometimes feel like a win. Having proper identification readily available may help you make it to your boarding gate a little sooner.
In this article, we’ll cover ID requirements set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and what to do if you don’t have an acceptable ID.
TSA ID requirements
TSA checkpoints are parts of the airport where passengers and their belongings are screened prior to entering the boarding area.
Anyone 18 and over will need proper identification when passing through a TSA checkpoint. Children accompanying a parent or guardian typically do not need to present an ID when traveling within the U.S., though some airlines may still require it.
Those without proper identification may be subject to additional screening by TSA agents and can be denied boarding. Knowing TSA rules at the airport can help passengers avoid unnecessary delays at screening checkpoints.
IDs accepted by the TSA
As of June 2026, there are many acceptable forms of identification accepted by the TSAOpens overlay, including:
- State-issued REAL ID-compliant driver's License or identification cards
- U.S. passport
- 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
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards
- HSPD-12 PIV card
- Foreign government-issued passport
- Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
- Transportation worker identification credential
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Refer to the TSA’s websiteOpens overlay for a complete list of acceptable identification.
REAL ID requirements
State-issued IDs need to be REAL ID compliant if you plan to use yours as your ID at an airport screening checkpoint.
Real ID-compliant cards are marked by a star at the top of the card. A current passport can be used in place of a REAL ID.
If your state-issued ID is not REAL ID compliant, you may need to pay an additional fee at the airport to use TSA ConfirmID. After paying the fee, TSA will attempt to verify your identity so you can begin the airport security screening process.
You can check with your state driver's license agency for steps on how to obtain a Real ID compliant identification card.
What to do if you don’t have an acceptable ID
If you find yourself without an acceptable form of ID, whether it was lost, stolen or expired. You may still be allowed to enter the boarding area.
TSA officers may ask you to complete an identity verification process if you do not have an acceptable ID. The process may include collecting personal information—like your name and current address—to confirm your identity. When confirmed, you may be allowed to enter the security checkpoint but can still be subject to additional screening.
Those without proper identification may want to plan for longer screening times and allow extra time before departure.
If you choose not to provide adequate information, decline to cooperate or your identity cannot be confirmed, you will not be allowed to enter the boarding area.
Flying with a paper ID
There are a few common reasons that you may find yourself with a copy of a paper ID. If your driver's license has expired or was lost or stolen, you may receive a paper copy as a replacement before your official version arrives.
The TSA typically does not accept temporary IDs as a valid form of ID because they can be more easily altered or counterfeited than an official ID.
If you only have a paper ID, though, you don’t need to cancel your trip. TSA agents have procedures that can help verify your identity that may include using publicly available databases, asking personal questions or reaching out to the organization that issued the paper ID.
These actions all take time though, so if you’re arriving at the airport with a paper ID, it is generally recommended to give yourself extra time to get through airport security.
Flying with an expired ID
You may still be able to use your ID at TSA checkpoints even if it is expired. TSA accepts IDs up to two years after their expiration date for all accepted forms of ID. If you have a temporary paper ID, it may be helpful to have it with your expired ID.
Persons traveling with IDs that are expired may be subject to additional security screenings.
In summary
Airport screening is not something travelers can avoid. For the safety and security of the flight among other reasons, people and their belongings are subject to screening by the TSA. You can check the TSA website to ensure you have an accepted form of ID. For those who don’t, you can still plan on taking your trip but may want to give yourself extra time and expect your airport screening to take longer than those with proper identification.
