Last checked: November 14, 2026. Every fact on this page comes from the official sources listed at the bottom.
Not legal advice. This page is a plain-language summary of official rules for general information. Rules change and individual situations differ. Always confirm with the official source linked below before you travel.
REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025. To pass a TSA checkpoint for a domestic flight, adults need a REAL ID-compliant license or state ID, or another acceptable ID such as a passport.
Quick answers
| Your situation | What it means at the airport |
|---|---|
| Your license or state ID has a star (and/or flag) on it, or says "Enhanced" | You are REAL ID ready for domestic flights. |
| No star, but you have a valid US passport | A passport is acceptable ID and can be used instead of a REAL ID. |
| No star and no passport | Check TSA's list of other acceptable IDs. If you have none, see TSA ConfirmID below, and visit your state DMV to get a REAL ID. |
| Your acceptable ID has expired | TSA currently accepts the listed forms of ID up to two years after expiration. |
| Traveling with children under 18 | TSA does not require children under 18 to show ID on domestic flights. Airlines may have their own rules, so check with yours. |
No acceptable ID: TSA ConfirmID
- Since February 1, 2026, travelers without an acceptable ID can choose to pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID.
- TSA then tries to verify your identity so you can be screened. TSA says there is no guarantee it can do so.
- Pay online before you go to the airport. The payment is valid for 10 days from the travel start date you enter.
- Using ConfirmID is optional. The simplest fix is a REAL ID from your state DMV, or a passport.
Before you fly
- Look for the star on your license now, not the night before.
- Use TSA's "Are you REAL ID ready?" tool and your state DMV's page if you are not sure.
- Pack your passport if your license is not compliant.
Official sources
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