What To Do If You Don’t Have a Real ID: 10 Alternate Documents for Air Travel

Alternate travel documents. Not everyone has a Real ID—and that’s okay. While a Real ID will be required for certain types of identification at airport security in the near future (check with the TSA for updates), there are still several other documents that can get you past security and onto your flight. Whether you’re an airline employee, standby traveler, or just haven’t gotten around to upgrading your driver’s license, here’s what you need to know.

So what is a real ID?

10 TSA-Approved Documents You Can Use Instead of a Real ID

1. U.S. Passport (Book or Card)
   The gold standard. Valid for all flights, domestic and international.
2. DHS Trusted Traveler Card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI)
   These government-issued cards are accepted and useful for speeding through immigration too.
3. U.S. Military ID (Active Duty or Retired)
   Includes all branches and works domestically at airport checkpoints.
4. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
   A valid form of federal identification for lawful residents.
5. Foreign Government-Issued Passport
   Great for international visitors or dual citizens traveling domestically in the U.S.
6. Border Crossing Card
   For Mexican nationals frequently entering the U.S., this card is Real ID-compliant.
7. Tribal-issued Photo ID
   From a federally recognized tribe. These are accepted by TSA.
8. Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766)
   Issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
9. Airport-issued TSA or FAA ID
   For authorized airline personnel or contractors with airport access.
10. HSPD-12 PIV Card (federal employees)
    A secure ID card issued to U.S. government employees.

Pro Tip: If you’re traveling with children under 18, they don’t need an ID for domestic flights when traveling with an adult, but be sure the adult has valid ID.

What If You Show Up Without Any of These?

If you forget your ID or simply don’t have one of the accepted forms, TSA may still let you fly. Here’s how that process works:

• You’ll undergo identity verification using publicly available databases. TSA will ask you a few personal questions.
• Be prepared for a secondary screening, which may take longer—so arrive early.
• Not all passengers will be approved—it’s up to the TSA agent and security process.

State-Based Exceptions and Notes

• Some States Issue Non-Compliant Licenses
  Not all driver’s licenses are Real ID-compliant. Look for the gold star. Some licenses say “Not for Federal Identification” or “Federal Limits Apply.”
• U.S. Territories
  Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands typically issue compliant IDs. American Samoa has had compliance issues in the past.
• Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs)
  Offered only in Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. These are Real ID-compliant and can be used for land/sea border crossing.
• COVID Extensions & Online Renewals
  Some states allowed online renewals that didn’t require documentation updates, meaning the license may not meet Real ID standards.

Always check your state Department of Motor Vehicle for specifics.

U.S. State DMV Offices (A–Z)

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

U.S. Territories DMV Offices (A–Z)

• American Samoa
• Guam
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands 

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: How do I get a Real ID if I don’t have one?
A: Apply at the department of Motor Vehicles in your state.

Q: What does a Real ID look like?
A: A Real ID has a white or gold star with either a gold, black or no background around it in the upper right hand area of the document. Except for Alabama which has the white star on a gold background in the upper left of the document.

Q: Can I use a temporary paper driver’s license?
A: Not unless it’s accompanied by another approved form of ID with a photo. Most paper licenses alone won’t cut it.

Q: What if I’m flying internationally?
A: You must have a valid passport. No valid passport = no go. Check the travel requirements for the country you are visiting. U.S. citizens can use the travel.state.gov website.

Q: Do airline employees on non-rev travel need a Real ID?
A: Not necessarily, but you’ll need some TSA-approved form of ID. A company-issued SIDA badge may not always suffice, so always carry a backup. See above for the list of alternate documents.

Q: Can I use a digital ID on my phone?
A: TSA has started accepting mobile driver’s licenses at select airports—but this is still in pilot stages. Don’t rely on it exclusively.

Final Thoughts

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