Acceptable Identification for Domestic Travel [Consolidated Thread]
#121
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Whether traveling or not, you are required to always have your Green Card in your possession.
Section 264(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act:
And from the DHS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website:
Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
If you are a permanent resident age 18 or older, you are required to have a valid Green Card in your possession at all times.
#122
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 33
At some airports close to Mexico, there are border patrol checkpoints, like the one in Texas where Juan Antonio Vargas was arrested. The agent stands next to the TSA ID checker, who gives them your ID. For those airports, you should have your green card to prove to them you are here legally.
#123
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Tampa
Programs: Gold elite, Amex plat. H Honors
Posts: 40
green Card
I am an Indian passport holder having a green card. I'm scheduled to go to Boston for a week.
I usually only carry my CA driver's license for domestic travel.
I wanted to confirm that this is enough from an ID perspective. Or should I carry my green card and/or passport.
I usually only carry my CA driver's license for domestic travel.
I wanted to confirm that this is enough from an ID perspective. Or should I carry my green card and/or passport.
Go to the USCIS web site and read the terms of your green card. Be sure it has not expired. They are only good for 10 years now.
Good Luck.
#124
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: UA, AA, IHG, SPG, CC
Posts: 82
Acceptable Identification for Domestic Travel?
Hello - I'm wondering if I should carry my passport or global entry card with me while traveling domestically in the U.S. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
My situation: I'm an American citizen of native American and Mexican descent, i.e., I am brown. Normally I wouldn't think twice about ID necessary for domestic travel, but as this is the first flight I'll be taking in light of non-ban travel bans and the fact that I've been confronted by complete strangers about deportations/walls, etc. over the past few months, I'm worried about being stopped by TSA on my return flight.
Another concern is that if I do take my passport/GE card with me, I'll be questioned about why I'm even carrying them in the first place if I'm only going from LIH -> SEA.
I suspect I'm just being a bit paranoid, but I'd like to get a few other takes on this to see if I've actually got something worry about.
My situation: I'm an American citizen of native American and Mexican descent, i.e., I am brown. Normally I wouldn't think twice about ID necessary for domestic travel, but as this is the first flight I'll be taking in light of non-ban travel bans and the fact that I've been confronted by complete strangers about deportations/walls, etc. over the past few months, I'm worried about being stopped by TSA on my return flight.
Another concern is that if I do take my passport/GE card with me, I'll be questioned about why I'm even carrying them in the first place if I'm only going from LIH -> SEA.
I suspect I'm just being a bit paranoid, but I'd like to get a few other takes on this to see if I've actually got something worry about.
#125
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
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I use my GE/Nexus ID as my general ID as I do not like having something with my address on it given out to random people and lots of people take it. When asked I tell them it's a Federal ID and they accept it no issues.
As for TSA, most of the agents now know about the cards and don't hassle like it was in the beginning. Carrying your passport, to me, is overkill in this situation and opens you to having it stolen or lost.
You're overthinking the being questioned about why you're carrying your passport part. I carry mine whenever I am going anywhere near a border or on a transcon as I don't know if I'll need it for a border crossing I decide to take or a work trip that comes up last minute.
As for the jerks that sling wall comments at you..I'm sorry.
As for TSA, most of the agents now know about the cards and don't hassle like it was in the beginning. Carrying your passport, to me, is overkill in this situation and opens you to having it stolen or lost.
You're overthinking the being questioned about why you're carrying your passport part. I carry mine whenever I am going anywhere near a border or on a transcon as I don't know if I'll need it for a border crossing I decide to take or a work trip that comes up last minute.
As for the jerks that sling wall comments at you..I'm sorry.
Last edited by essxjay; Oct 25, 2017 at 10:17 pm Reason: profanity workaround
#126
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
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Posts: 15,609
I agree with Yoshi212... There are any number of reasons one might carry a passport, none of which are anyone's business.
#127
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Hello - I'm wondering if I should carry my passport or global entry card with me while traveling domestically in the U.S. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
My situation: I'm an American citizen of native American and Mexican descent, i.e., I am brown. Normally I wouldn't think twice about ID necessary for domestic travel, but as this is the first flight I'll be taking in light of non-ban travel bans and the fact that I've been confronted by complete strangers about deportations/walls, etc. over the past few months, I'm worried about being stopped by TSA on my return flight.
Another concern is that if I do take my passport/GE card with me, I'll be questioned about why I'm even carrying them in the first place if I'm only going from LIH -> SEA.
I suspect I'm just being a bit paranoid, but I'd like to get a few other takes on this to see if I've actually got something worry about.
My situation: I'm an American citizen of native American and Mexican descent, i.e., I am brown. Normally I wouldn't think twice about ID necessary for domestic travel, but as this is the first flight I'll be taking in light of non-ban travel bans and the fact that I've been confronted by complete strangers about deportations/walls, etc. over the past few months, I'm worried about being stopped by TSA on my return flight.
Another concern is that if I do take my passport/GE card with me, I'll be questioned about why I'm even carrying them in the first place if I'm only going from LIH -> SEA.
I suspect I'm just being a bit paranoid, but I'd like to get a few other takes on this to see if I've actually got something worry about.
If taking your passport and GE card makes you feel more comfortable, do so. I carry my passport just about every time I take a plane. I'd take my passport on your trip. Multiple reasons why, including that when IRROPS are involved, sometimes being rerouted via Canada can make sense .... if only the passport (or NEXUS ID) was available.
#128
Ditto whatever else said. I usually carry my GE card with me even on domestic trips because some TSA agents (particularly at smaller airports) would be bufuddled by DC drivers licenses. That doesn't happen nearly as often anymore, but having a second form is never a bad idea.
#129
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
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I don't think using your passport will draw any additional attention if you are traveling to/from common international gateways.
When I'm flying internationally from LAX, I usually use my passport as it's already in my hand versus pulling my driver's license out of my wallet. I also see plenty of folks with passports - even though the majority of the flights are domestic.
I don't think you'd have an issue with LIH or SEA. Hey, there are always the occasional posts where people ask if they need a passport for Hawaii :-0
When I'm flying internationally from LAX, I usually use my passport as it's already in my hand versus pulling my driver's license out of my wallet. I also see plenty of folks with passports - even though the majority of the flights are domestic.
I don't think you'd have an issue with LIH or SEA. Hey, there are always the occasional posts where people ask if they need a passport for Hawaii :-0
#130
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I nearly always have my passport with me and always have my passport card in my wallet. I use the passport card for ID since it doesn't have my address, and would likely be less hassle to replace than my driver's license. Nobody blinks an eye.
#132
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I try to use my PP BOOKLET as little as possible if it is lost or stolen it is a hassle to get it replaced.
My NYS DL has my last name and ONLY FN, MI as initials; a few times a TSA agent asked to something with my full FN (a CC was OK); when I showed them my GE card (4 years ago), the agent said that was GOOD, so I've used it ever since.
PS: PP CARDS cost extra (GE cards are free!)
PS(PS): There are threads on FT noting that COSTCO cards have been accepted.
My NYS DL has my last name and ONLY FN, MI as initials; a few times a TSA agent asked to something with my full FN (a CC was OK); when I showed them my GE card (4 years ago), the agent said that was GOOD, so I've used it ever since.
PS: PP CARDS cost extra (GE cards are free!)
PS(PS): There are threads on FT noting that COSTCO cards have been accepted.
#133
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,198
I'd fall more firmly on the "screw you" side of things. Carry whatever ID you're comfortable with. TSA has no ability to arrest you (they need to call a cop for that) and all they can do is hassle you when you go through security or after. If some TSA person gets an inflated ego and hassles you because of perceived race, demand to speak with a supervisor.
And when strangers make snide comments about walls and deportations, you can tell them that you and your ancestors were in the US long before they and theirs, and walk away.
But if you find yourself in situations where an actual law enforcement officer is demanding to see proof of citizenship (and I"m pretty sure they are generally not allowed to, except in some states that have succumbed to populist urges) then a passport card is probably the easiest thing to carry with you. I carry mine just as a second form of ID, though I never use it.
And when strangers make snide comments about walls and deportations, you can tell them that you and your ancestors were in the US long before they and theirs, and walk away.
But if you find yourself in situations where an actual law enforcement officer is demanding to see proof of citizenship (and I"m pretty sure they are generally not allowed to, except in some states that have succumbed to populist urges) then a passport card is probably the easiest thing to carry with you. I carry mine just as a second form of ID, though I never use it.
#134
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I'm also in the minority I guess. A drivers license is fine for domestic travel, I see no reason to carry additional documents, with the corresponding risk of losing them. My passport/GE card are in my safe at home, pulled for international travel.
But I've never had any special attention using my passport for ID on the domestic leg of international travel either.
But I've never had any special attention using my passport for ID on the domestic leg of international travel either.
#135
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 53
Beginning next year, traveler's from 9 states won't be able to use their drivers license to fly domestically because the licenses will not meet federal standards. They will need their passport to travel domestically in the US. So many will be using passports or such at that time.