Can I Fly Without a Real ID? Know the Travel Policies

Are you among those who wonder if they can fly without having real identification proof? If so, then the answer is yes. Traveling, especially air travel, is one of the comfiest and most efficient options for people to move from one place to another. However, flying without a real ID is sometimes quite hard, but not impossible, as there are some policies and regulations for those who do not have any IDs. 

So to know in detail about the procedures and policies to fly without an ID, read the information provided below.

What Is A Real ID? Do People Need It To Fly?

A real ID is a document that describes a person’s identity and citizenship of a country. The one who needs to fly must possess a government-issued photo identity card or a passport in order to perform the security check-in. 

At times, many individuals wonder if they can fly domestically without an ID or not. Well, the government has set some rules to be followed by the individuals who want to take domestic flights in a country which also includes the list of documents that are required to be taken at the time of check-ins. 

Moreover, people can travel domestically in a country without a real ID but they have to show their government-approved passport to the airport security to do the procedures. But if you are underage or below 18 years of age and do not have any ID, you can still fly without a real ID just by paying some fees or by using the unaccompanied minor service for it.

Other Acceptable IDs At TSA Other Than Real ID

Following are some other government-issued ID proofs that an individual may use if they do not have a real ID.

• State-Issued Drivers License or State-Issued ID
• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
• Permanent resident card
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• Border crossing card
• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe
• Transportation worker identification credential
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
• HSPD-12 PIV card
• Foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

Can I Board Domestic Flights Without An ID?

Yes, you can fly domestically without an ID proof but at times, some of the airlines ask for any other alternative document to complete the security check-in procedures.

In that case, you can use the TSA-approved ID proofs or can also use your driver’s license, state ID, passports, and military IDs. However, the individuals who does not have any ID proof will not be allowed complete the security screening at the airport or may take longer time to complete it.

Can I Travel Internationally Without A Real ID

Those who want to travel internationally without having a real ID can do so using their government-authorized passport. Moreover, real IDs will not be accepted for international travel so individuals are required to carry their passports to travel. 

In essence, you can travel on domestic flights without having any real ID just by taking any other alternative form of ID proof approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), but to travel internationally, you are required to carry your government-issued passport to take flights as any other ID will not be considered there. 

Countries That Allows You To Fly Without An ID

To fly without an ID in a country is a difficult task as we have to follow the protocols, rules, and regulations of the particular country in which we are traveling. 

There are a couple of countries like Bhutan and Nepal that do not demand Visas or passports to travel from Indians. However, Indians can avail of the tourist permits or they can travel in these countries using their voter ID card also.

Countries like the United States allow you to fly domestically within the US without a real ID, but you must keep some other documents like the state’s ID proof or a driver’s license to board their respective flights.

The same goes for countries like Florida and Puerto Rico. You can travel in these countries either having a government-approved real ID or can also possess any of the aforementioned TSA’s TSA-approved documents to take the flights.

Frequently Asked Questions/Often Asked Questions/Frequently Raised Queries/Ask and Learn/