Navigating TSA: Your Guide to Acceptable Travel Identification

by Wendy Fracchia

Planning your next flight? Maybe you've heard that starting May 7, 2025, travelers aged 18 and over will need a REAL ID-compliant license or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights within the U.S.  Ensuring you have the proper identification is crucial for a smooth journey through airport security.  

Here's a straightforward guide to the IDs accepted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

  • State-issued driver's Licenses and Photo ID Cards: Issued by Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) or their equivalents.​
  • State-Issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDLs): These provide additional security features and are REAL ID compliant.​
  • U.S. Passport and Passport Cards: Valid for both domestic and international travel.​
  • DHS Trusted Traveler Cards: Includes Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST cards.​
  • U.S. Department of Defense IDs: Accepted for active duty, retired military members, and their dependents.​
  • Permanent Resident Cards: Also known as Green Cards.​
  • Federally Recognized Tribal-Issued Photo IDs: Accepted for members of federally recognized tribes.​
  • HSPD-12 PIV Cards: Personal Identity Verification cards issued to federal employees and contractors.​
  • Foreign Government-Issued Passports: Valid for international travelers.​
  • Canadian Provincial Driver's Licenses or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Cards: Accepted forms of identification for Canadian travelers.

For more details please check out the official Transportation Security Administration link at : https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification