Can I use my birth certificate as an ID to fly?
Asked by: Damien Schneider | Last update: June 3, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (25 votes)
Can I use my birth certificate to fly within the US?
But if you're travelling alone, you must have a real ID or other acceptable form of identification. A birth certficate is NOT acceptable. You can get a state ID from your state government—apply online. Or you can present an acceptable form of ID listed on the TSA website.
What forms of ID are acceptable to fly?
- Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
- State-Issued Drivers License or State-Issued ID.
- U.S. passport.
- U.S. passport card.
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
Can you travel with only a birth certificate?
All travelers must have a passport book for international air travel. Please note that hospital-issued birth certificates, voter registration cards, and affidavits cannot be used. If you were not born in the United States, you can use your original Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship.
How to fly if you lose your ID?
If you don't have any acceptable alternate form of ID, a TSA employee will ask you to complete an identity verification process by filling out a TSA Form 415, also known as a Certification of Identity form. It asks for your full name, current address, signature and date.
Can I use my birth certificate to fly?
Can you travel with a social security card?
Travelers typically need to carry a driver's license or identification card, travel credit cards, insurance cards and possibly a passport. But you should leave behind your Social Security card, birth certificate and other documents that have sensitive personal information.
Do they check for birth certificates at the airport?
To allow enough time for check-in, arrive early and be sure to have any required travel documents. You may have to present proof of age like a birth certificate for any children under the age of 18. Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.
Can you get through TSA with a paper ID?
You cannot get through TSA and fly if you only have paper identification with you. However, you may still be able to board, provided that TSA can check your identity through other means. First, TSA will do some additional screening to confirm your ID before you can board the plane and be on your way.
Can you fly with only a birth certificate on Reddit?
Passport is the gold standard as long as there aren't any name differences (such as right after a marriage). You can travel with just a birth certificate on a cruise, but the passport trumps all other forms of identification.
Can I use my school ID to fly?
Many common ID cards are not acceptable to the TSA. This would include library cards, fishing licenses, school or university IDs, workplace IDs, or expired IDs that would otherwise be acceptable. Also, a weapons permit is not acceptable, even those that are acceptable forms of ID for voting purposes in some US states.
Will TSA accept my birth certificate?
TSA will accept only the following birth records: A long-form U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Certificate; or. A U.S. state/territory-issued certified/sealed Birth Abstract that meets the requirements of a Birth Certificate (see below.
What do I need to board a plane?
You'll need a valid photo ID accepted by the TSA (like a driver's license or other government-issued ID) for domestic travel and a valid passport or visa, and any travel documents required by your international destination. Acceptable forms of identification.
Will TSA accept expired ID?
Can you fly with an expired license in California? You can temporarily use an expired driver's license as acceptable identification to fly, according to the Transportation Security Administration website. “TSA will accept expired driver's licenses or state-issued ID a year after expiration,” the TSA website states.
Can you fly with paper ID and birth certificate?
For adults, a birth certificate cannot be used as a primary document when flying. However, it may be used together with other documents to confirm a traveler's identity if their ID was lost or stolen.
What type of ID does TSA accept?
Effective October 1, 2020, all air travelers over the age of 18 will need a REAL ID compliant driver's license or identification card to pass through security and board commercial flights within the United States. U.S. passports, DHS Trusted Traveler cards and military identification will also be accepted.
What ID is needed to fly within the US?
Beginning May 7, 2025, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, state-issued enhanced driver's license, or another acceptable form of ID to fly within the United States.
Do airlines need original birth certificate?
Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age. Electronic screen shots, phone images, or immunization records are not acceptable.
Can you fly with a picture of your ID?
TSA sees only the necessary information to verify your identity, providing a faster, more secure travel experience while reducing the risk of fraudulent documents. However, all passengers must still carry a physical ID for verification.
Is a ripped birth certificate still valid?
If it's just a tear at the edge, nowhere near any of the important information, then most jurisdictions with which I am familiar will treat it as perfectly valid. If it's ripped all the way in half (or several pieces), many jurisdictions will have a problem with it, and will suggest you get a replacement issued to you.
Can you fly in the US with a normal driver's license?
Beginning May 7, 2025, you will no longer be able to use a non-REAL ID-compliant driver's license or state ID to board a domestic flight. If you do not upgrade your license or state ID, you can use a passport or one of these other acceptable forms of identification to fly.
Can I travel on Social Security?
If you earned Social Security benefits, you can visit or live in most foreign countries and still receive payments. Look up the country on the SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool to be sure you can receive your payments.
Is Social Security card proof for passport?
You must submit at least two secondary documents if you can't provide a primary photo ID. Secondary forms of identification include: Social Security card. Medicare (or other health insurance) card.
Does TSA accept a birth certificate?
A birth certificate can count as proof of citizenship. If that's a document you're bringing to your TSA PreCheck appointment, you also have to bring a photo ID from List B above.