# TSA and valid identification for domestic air travel **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 8, 2016, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525 "2016-02-08T10:04:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/1 "2016-02-08T10:04:07Z")
Late last year, a thread on the SDMB alerted me to a plan by the TSA to stop accepting state ID cards (including driver licenses) from certain states as sufficient proof of a traveler’s identity. One of the states mentioned was California, with a caveat that the state had requested a waiver, which, at the time, was still under consideration. Meanwhile, back in November, my daughter and her friend had bought airline tickets for a trip to NYC for spring break. For that matter, there’s a possibility that I’ll be assigned to travel to Oklahoma in March. Neither one of us has a passport, or the means to acquire one. Does anyone know the current status of our DLs for purposes of air travel? TIA ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/2 "2016-02-08T10:07:30Z")
According to the [most recent threatening press release](http://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/01/08/statement-secretary-jeh-c-johnson-final-phase-real-id-act-implementation), nothing will happen that passengers need to worry about until January 22, 2018. Also, the naughty list in that press release does not include California. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/3 "2016-02-08T11:07:18Z")
Okay cool. That’s quite a relief. Thanks again. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iljitsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/4 "2016-02-08T14:04:38Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Neither one of us has a passport, or the means to acquire one. Huh? ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/5 "2016-02-08T14:26:58Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Huh? A US passport costs a minimum of $135. For some of us (like me - I let mine expire and it’s been long enough that I basically have to get a new one, but I have to have one for some travel this summer) that’s not a small chunk of money. Figure on two people and you’re looking at close to $300. ---
**Author:** ![iljitsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/77aa72/32.png) [@iljitsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iljitsch)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/6 "2016-02-08T15:28:11Z")
Wow. I thought ours were expensive at about half that. How much do you guys pay for a driver’s license or state ID card? I don’t have one of those, because they cost almost the same as a passport and I need the passport when I travel outside Europe anyway. (Although when my passport got stolen on christmas with me flying home the next day having that ID card would have been helpful.) ---
**Author:** ![DeepLiquid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deepliquid/32/14893_2.png) [@DeepLiquid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeepLiquid)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/7 "2016-02-08T15:40:47Z")
Depends on the state and level of license (regular car or different form of commercial licenses), a basic car one in the many states I’ve lived in ranged from $10 to $60 (with a motorcycle endorsement). ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/8 "2016-02-08T16:54:03Z")
Do yourself a favor and get a passport. Along with a regular passport, you can get an additional wallet sized passport ID card. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can order one from your birth state’s vital records department. Passport ID card picture… [What is a Passport Card?](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/card.html) Regular passport picture… [U.S. Passports](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/9 "2016-02-08T18:13:53Z")
> [@iljitsch](#): > > Wow. I thought ours were expensive at about half that. > > How much do you guys pay for a driver’s license or state ID card? For us, in California, it’s $33. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/10 "2016-02-08T18:16:40Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > Do yourself a favor and get a passport. Along with a regular passport, you can get an additional wallet sized passport ID card. > > If you do not have a birth certificate, you can order one from your birth state’s vital records department. > > Passport ID card picture… > [Get a Passport Card](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/information/card.html) > > Regular passport picture… > [U.S. Passports](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html) Passports are for wealthy people who indulge in international travel. So, until I collect my lottery jackpot (which I have called “Dibs” on MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, by the way), not for me. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/11 "2016-02-08T19:03:18Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > Do yourself a favor and get a passport. Along with a regular passport, you can get an additional wallet sized passport ID card. > > If you do not have a birth certificate, you can order one from your birth state’s vital records department. Just FYI, if your birth certificate[does not contain the full name of both of your parents](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/first-time.html#step3), it is invalid for getting a passport. So, for example, if your father’s name is “unknown,” you might as well not have one. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/12 "2016-02-08T19:06:22Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Passports are for wealthy people who indulge in international travel. > > So, until I collect my lottery jackpot (which I have called “Dibs” on MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, by the way), not for me. They are also going to be for people who want to fly domestically and live in a state with a drivers license TSA doesn’t like ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/13 "2016-02-08T19:09:22Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Late last year, a thread on the SDMB alerted me to a plan by the TSA to stop accepting state ID cards (including driver licenses) from certain states as sufficient proof of a traveler’s identity. Why? Neither one of us has a passport, or the means to acquire one. [/QUOTE] I ghot one last summer, and it didn’t cost that much. Anyway, they last 10 years, which is twice as long as my driver’s license. > [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Just FYI, if your birth certificate[does not contain the full name of both of your parents](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/first-time.html#step3), it is invalid for getting a passport. So, for example, if your father’s name is “unknown,” you might as well not have one. That can’t be true. I know someone who has a birth certificate with no father’s name, and she has traveled internationally several times, so she must have a passport (and no, she has never been in the military). ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/14 "2016-02-08T19:12:59Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Just FYI, if your birth certificate[does not contain the full name of both of your parents](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/first-time.html#step3), it is invalid for getting a passport. So, for example, if your father’s name is “unknown,” you might as well not have one. Also, in Texas, at the Bureau of Vital Statistics, you have a choice between the less expensive ‘short form’ birth certificate and the more expensive ‘long form’ birth certificate. Since we are a border state, only the ‘long form’ version is acceptable in order to obtain a passport. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/15 "2016-02-08T19:41:08Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Just FYI, if your birth certificate[does not contain the full name of both of your parents](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/first-time.html#step3), it is invalid for getting a passport. So, for example, if your father’s name is “unknown,” you might as well not have one. That site says “Lists parent(s) full names.” Given that s is specifically in parentheses, I’d guess that an unknown father is fine as long as the mother’s name is in full. Some states even create birth certificates for foundlings under the age of 5. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/16 "2016-02-08T19:58:16Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Passports are for wealthy people who indulge in international travel. > > So, until I collect my lottery jackpot (which I have called “Dibs” on MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT, by the way), not for me. Your daughter’s spring break trip to NYC will likely cost just as much or more than popular international spring break trips like Mexico. That said, it’s not an issue now, but if your business is going to require you to fly then it seems fair that they cover the expense of getting a special ID if you don’t already have one. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/17 "2016-02-08T19:59:24Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > According to the [most recent threatening press release](http://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/01/08/statement-secretary-jeh-c-johnson-final-phase-real-id-act-implementation), nothing will happen that passengers need to worry about until January 22, 2018. Also, the naughty list in that press release does not include California. It’s a big game of “chicken” that so far the feds have blinked as they’ve pushed the date back. I fully suspect that it will either not go live or all of the states will be compliant. It it were to go live today, I’d expect legal challenges from those who love in the affected states which would delay it’s implementation. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/18 "2016-02-08T20:02:20Z")
That link states the birth certificate must have “parent(s)” full name, so one parent would be fine. And there is other proof you can provide. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/19 "2016-02-08T20:03:49Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > Just FYI, if your birth certificate[does not contain the full name of both of your parents](https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/first-time.html#step3), it is invalid for getting a passport. So, for example, if your father’s name is “unknown,” you might as well not have one. Yeah, because if you’re dad was Unknown, you can never leave the USA. riiiight. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525/20 "2016-02-08T20:18:00Z")
Live. :smack: > [@Spiderman](#): > > I’d expect legal challenges from those who love in the affected states which would delay it’s implementation. With the possible exceptions of prostitution &/or sex in public places, I don’t really thing the gov’t cares where you love. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsa-and-valid-identification-for-domestic-air-travel/745525.md?page=2)