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Forgot your ID? You can still go through airport security without it

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Go through security without any ID

You’ve arrived at the airport and realize… OH MY GOSH I DON’T HAVE MY ID!!!!! Don’t fret my pet.

Most people are under the idea that if you don’t have a government issued ID you won’t be allowed on a plane. Not only is that incorrect, but you don’t even need a single piece of identification. Let’s unpack this.

If you’ve left your government issued ID at home, or you just don’t have any…you can get through security via these pieces:

Something must have the following

  • Photo
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Social Security
  • Date of birth

That could be via a combo of the following:

  • Library Card
  • Bank Card
  • Utility Bill
  • Student ID
  • insurance card
  • Birth Certificate

Other stated forms per the TSA website:

Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.

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

In coordination with its DHS counterparts, TSA has identified acceptable alternate identification for use in special circumstances at the checkpoint.

But what if you don’t have any form of ID?

You’re still good to go as long as you can fill out a form that verifies who you say you are. I personally haven’t done this, but it’s very cleared stipulated on the website and I’ve known people to have anecdotally tried it, and it works. Think of the questions a bank would ask you over the phone…

a white paper with black text

So there you have it…you don’t need an ID to pass through airport security.

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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5 Comments

  • James Mccune February 22, 2022

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  • Tony February 22, 2022

    This is not going to work once REAL ID becomes a requirement. Also should’ve mentioned CLEAR.

  • DaninMCI February 22, 2022

    Fun stuff but the TSA left a bunch of valid documents off the list like the Warrant for Arrest of Alien”, “Warrant of Removal or Deportation” and some others. In fact using those documents is fairly common it seems. https://viewfromthewing.com/tsa-now-accepts-arrest-warrants-from-undocumented-immigrants-as-id-for-airport-security/

  • Ed February 21, 2022

    Does not sound crazy at all but what is crazy is the Real ID requirement coming down the road. Doesn’t make sense at all when you can use a library card instead.

  • derek February 21, 2022

    Allowing someone with no ID on a plane is not so crazy. The biggest concern is that the person is not carrying a gun or bomb. That can be checked by security.

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