What Documents Do You Need to Fly Domestically

By the Between the News desk · researched with AI tools, checked and edited by a human editor

A REAL ID-compliant license/ID is the standard requirementA U.S. passport, passport card, and Global Entry/NEXUS cards all work tooNon-compliant state IDs have not been accepted since May 7, 2025Children under 18 don't need ID to fly domesticallySource: tsa.gov

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Flying within the U.S. requires identification, and since a rule change that took full effect in 2025, the standard for what counts changed for a lot of travelers who hadn't updated their license.

A REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID card is the everyday standard now — non-compliant versions of the same documents haven't been accepted at TSA checkpoints since May 7, 2025. You can typically identify a REAL ID-compliant card by a small star marking in the corner, though checking with your specific state DMV is the most reliable way to confirm.

A REAL ID isn't the only acceptable option, though. A valid U.S. passport or passport card works, as do any of the Department of Homeland Security's Trusted Traveler cards — Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST — along with Department of Defense IDs, including those issued to military dependents. Some states also issue Enhanced Driver's Licenses or Enhanced ID cards, plus newer mobile driver's licenses built on REAL ID standards, which TSA accepts as well.

One document that specifically doesn't work: a temporary paper driver's license, even if it's technically valid to drive with, isn't accepted at the TSA checkpoint.

Children traveling domestically get an exception to all of this — TSA doesn't require anyone under 18 to present identification at all when flying within the United States, regardless of which adult they're traveling with.

“A temporary paper driver's license lets you legally drive — but TSA won't accept it at the checkpoint, even though it's technically a valid license.”