Utilizing a passport card as an alternative to a REAL ID is possible in certain circumstances.
In a shift from conventional air travel, travelers are questioning whether their passports can replace REAL IDs for boarding flights. As the TSA implements new regulations, it's crucial to understand the changes and prepare for your summer travels.
Compliance with REAL ID requirements is crucial for air travel within the U.S. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirms that both the booklet and the card of a U.S. passport are REAL ID compliant, thus eligible for use in place of a REAL ID.
Several alternative documents can be used in place of a REAL ID for domestic air travel. These include:
- U.S. passport or U.S. passport card
- DHS Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- State-issued enhanced driver's licenses
- U.S. Department of Defense ID
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- Border Crossing Card
- Veteran Health Identification Card
- Photo ID issued by a Federally Recognized Tribal Nation
Remember, standard driver's licenses are still valid for train or car travel. Nevertheless, REAL ID or REAL ID-compliant documents are required for domestic and international flights.
Travelers without their REAL ID or REAL ID-compliant documents will have to go through additional screening and provide other documents to board their flights.
If you heavily rely on your passport for travel within the U.S. and abroad, it can be renewed online. Our guide will assist you with the process and help you find a passport acceptance agency or center. For a hassle-free process, our guide to passport photo requirements will also prove helpful.
Privacy experts advise travelers to refuse TSA facial scans. For more information, consult our guide detailing the reasons why. However, it's essential to be aware of the three-month passport rule and the six-month rule that some countries require, as these could impact your travel plans.
[Enrichment Data Integration: Just to clarify, it's important to note that while several alternative documents can be used in place of a REAL ID for domestic air travel, a U.S. passport is still required for international travel.]
- To bypass additional screening and ensure a smoother travel experience, it's advisable to ensure your passport complies with REAL ID requirements for domestic flights.
- Regarding lifestyle changes and upcoming travels, it's crucial to remember that for international travel, a U.S. passport remains the mandatory document, while a U.S. passport or passport card can replace a REAL ID for domestic air travel.
