Does a Child Under 18 Need ID at TSA for a US Domestic Flight?
The short answer
No. TSA states it does not require children under 18 to provide identification when travelling within the United States. Adults aged 18 and over must show valid ID at the checkpoint, and your airline may have its own rules for under 18s.
What TSA says about under 18s
TSA says it does not require children under 18 to provide identification when travelling within the United States. The page adds that the airline can answer questions about its own ID rules for travellers under 18.
Unaccompanied minors who are eligible for TSA PreCheck need an acceptable ID to get expedited screening.
What adults must show
Adult passengers aged 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. Since 7 May 2025, TSA states, state-issued driver's licences and IDs that are not REAL ID compliant are no longer accepted. Temporary driver's licences are not acceptable.
TSA accepts expired IDs up to two years after expiration, for the ID types it lists.
If an adult has no acceptable ID
Starting 1 February 2026, TSA says passengers without an acceptable ID can pay a $45 fee to use TSA ConfirmID, and TSA will try to verify their identity. If identity cannot be verified, the passenger will not be allowed past the screening checkpoint.
International trips are different
The TSA statement applies to travel within the United States. For international flights, passports and visas are set by the destination country and the airline, and these are not covered by the TSA page. UK and EU families should check the entry requirements for each country.
Rules and fees change, so check the official page linked below before you travel.
Sources: TSA: Identification, TSA: Traveling with children. Read 5 November 2026. Rules and fees change, so check the official page before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
Does my teenager need ID for a domestic US flight?
TSA says children under 18 do not need to provide ID for travel within the United States. Check with the airline for its own rules.
Does an 18 year old need ID?
Yes. TSA says adults 18 and older must show valid identification at the checkpoint.
Is a non REAL ID driver's licence still accepted?
Not according to TSA. As of 7 May 2025 non-compliant state IDs are no longer accepted at airports.
What does ConfirmID cost?
TSA states a $45 fee starting 1 February 2026, with no guarantee your identity can be verified.
Do UK passports count as ID for US domestic flights?
The page read lists no specific documents for foreign travellers in the text retrieved. Check the TSA identification page for the accepted list.