All international travelers, including children, must be able to show their passport as part of the check-in and security procedure, but for domestic flights it’s a different story. You can use a variety of identification types to travel domestically but the key aspect linking most of them is the inclusion of a photograph. Children under the age of 18 years of age do not need to show any identification to board a domestic flight.

Government-Issued Identification

Certain government-issued documents can be used as valid identification for domestic flights. A military identification, whether you are a member of the military or serve in a civilian capacity, is acceptable, as are border crossing cards and permanent resident cards. State-issued documents, including driver’s licenses or state identification are also fine. If you hold a Native American tribal photo identity card, you can use it to verify your identity.

Travel-Related Identification

Identification issued by an airline or airport to its employees can be used as identification if it meets Transportation Security Administration guidelines. A transportation worker identification credential is also a valid way to prove your identity. Finally, if you hold a “Trusted Traveler” card issued by the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection division, you can use it for domestic travel.

Foreign-Issued Identification

You can travel domestically within the United States on a valid passport issued by a foreign country. If you are a citizen of a foreign country but hold a U.S.-issued document like a permanent resident card, you have the option to use the U.S. document as identification in preference to your foreign passport. Transportation Security Administration officials will also accept two Canadian-issued documents as valid identification on domestic flights: a Canadian provincial driver’s license and an identification card issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC).

Non-Photo Identification

If you arrive at the airport without any form of photographic identification, all is not lost. Transportation Security Administration staff can accept other forms of identification, as long as you can show at least two separate documents. These include items such as your credit card, birth certificate, marriage license or Social Security card. One of the documents you use must show your gender, date of birth, photo or address. Alternatively, staff can verify your identity by searching for you on government databases, although you will have to be prepared to provide them with information about yourself to allow the search to take place.

About the Author

Rita Kennedy is a writer and researcher based in the United Kingdom. She began writing in 2002 and her work has appeared in several academic journals including "Memory Studies," the "Journal of Historical Geography" and the "Local Historian." She holds a Ph.D. in history and an honours degree in geography from the University of Ulster.

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  • Keith Brofsky/Photodisc/Getty Images
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